Containers, Containers Everywhere...

I'm a very container-oriented person this year.

Just look at my desk!

I also realize that's an odd statement for a person to make.

But it's true! Every time I finish a cool glass food jar of some sort, I ask myself, "Self, is there anything you can do with this?"

Pinterest answered my questions. Love you, Pinterest. Bless your little pin-filled heart. 

I wanted to use my FAVORITE little Olive Tapanade jars for something. So I decided to use them to store tea bags, using this as my inspiration:

source

They are relatively simple to do! My advice: Use SPRAY chalkboard paint for small items, but buy this  magical substance for EVERYTHING else! I simply adore it! It allows you to make a chalkboard in any color you could ever imagine. And while I haven't had the occasion arise in which I needed to create a lime green polka-dotted chalkboard, you never know.

I also created these fun jars with writing on them to hold items for my desk.

 It was really inexpensive because I used paint I already had. Total cost= $1. And that's only because I decided to modify the original instructions. Which were ridiculous.

Is there actually a person on the planet (besides the original pinner) who has a glue gun that is capable of putting out such a perfect stream of glue? And do you know how impossible it is to write things with an awkwardly-shaped hot glue gun?

Take it from me. After a first attempt ended in disaster, I went to Wally and bought some puffy paint in white. 

It's worth the $1 to save yourself the aggravation. 

I put "graphis" (Latin for "pencil") on an old green olive jar to use for pencils.

Next I put "stylos" (French for "pens") on an old Smuckers jelly jar.

This one is my favorite. I like how "clean" and fresh the white looks. 

Other container ideas:

tin cans are very "in" right now and make a cool catch-all for your extra utensils. 

But make sure you actually put your stuff in them. 

I can't find either of those pairs of scissors anymore.

This pesto jar from my aunt makes a wonderful paperclip holder.

Also, if you're not into the potential torture and heartbreak that comes with attempting the puffy paint writing, you can do what I did here and simply spray paint the plain jar. This one had pretty writing on it. I think that all Classico items have this jar.

And those little tiny flower pots...

 You know, those little tiny flower pots that boast "Grow Your Own Strawberries" or "Grow Your Own Forget-Me-Nots" that don't actually work?

They make excellent paperclip and Q-tip holders. 

I hope this has inspired you to take a second look at the things that you normally throw out or recycle! Re-purposing these things has saved me a great deal of cash in office supplies.

And when all else fails....

...Put some acorns in a jar and call yourself an ESFr.

Have a great day, all!

Shelbylicious

SL