painted mason jars and a messy desk

We’re crafting and organizing today!! Just trying something different. Hope you don’t mind.

I have a ton of mason (canning) jars especially since my friend George gave me a shitload when he cleaned out his garage. Some of them are really old and there’s even vintage lids and seals. I do some of my own canning and I also use mason jars as everyday drink ware but I still had loads of jars and was so excited to try out this Martha Stewart craft project-mason jars turned vintage décor vases. And in case we just met-Hello, my name is Lisa and I love LOVE love Martha Stewart. So I couldn’t wait to try her craft project.

I bought her vintage décor paint in spring lilac and the vintage décor clear wax from Michael’s craft store. I have to admit though, the lilac color is very pale. Not as purple as I was hoping for. Actually looks white. But, I paired it with my giant purple mason jar/candle my friend George made me and you can see some “lilac” color in my painted jars.

After applying 2 coats of paint, I used sandpaper to give them a distressed look. Then you wipe off the jars and apply the clear wax.

So these painted mason jars were also my attempt at organizing and “prettying” (is that a word?) up my desk. I’m all about aesthetics and my desk was a mess.

But then I read an article in the newspaper where they cited a 2013 study by University of Minnesota researches that found that cluttered space is more conducive to creative thinking. And Albert Einstein is credited for saying, “If a cluttered desk is a sign of a cluttered mind, of what, then, is an empty desk a sign?” So I thought, “oh cool, I’m good.” Until I realized that I can’t think straight unless my “clutter” is a little more organized. And Pretty. So that’s where these painted mason jars come into play. One holds my pens and the other holds pretty flowers.


The cool shoe painting was a bday gift from my sister from one of her trips to NYC. Pretty cool huh? And it goes so well with my little purple theme I have going on.

Now that it’s all pretty, purple and organized, I guess that means I have to get back to work. No more excuses!