Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Thrifty DIY: Chalkboard Organizing Jars- With Comics!


I love using jars to organize small office and craft supplies like buttons, paper clips, and my plethora of tiny toy and random crafting bits. These chalkboard jars make organizing even easier, and the comic book decoupaged lids blind your eyes with pleasing, retina searing color!


First, clean your jars. You may have to soak the jars in warm water to remove some of the stubborn adhesive from the labels. Not even goo gone could eradicate some of those stubborn bits of label glue!


Next, use tape to mark up where you're going to paint, then fill in your squares. You'll need to apply 3 to 4 coats on the glass for this to work, letting the paint dry completely between applications. I recommend using the roll-on chalkboard paint, not the spray paint type.


The plain lids needed flair, so I spray painted them with Krylon spray paint. Once dry,  I cut out pages from a spare comic I got from Free Comic Book Day and glued it to the lids with 3M Spray Mount adhesive.


I finished off the lids by spraying it with Krylon Kamar Varnish. You can use modpodge, glue, or any other adhesive you have around. Plain white elmer's glue would work perfectly to both glue the page down and seal the top.


Start saving your empty pasta sauce and salsa jars if you want a colorful collection of organizing jars of your own to play with. I'm going to try selling this set at my Treasure House and Southern Crossing antique mall booths. 
 
How do you keep your supplies organized? Do share your creative organization ideas! I have lots of craft bits to keep in order.
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25 comments:

  1. Very cool idea! I've been digging your exploration of chalk-board paint, and keep it in mind for around the house. The comic strip lids are an added quirky genius!

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    1. Thanks Jason! I've been painting all over EVERYTHING! Quick- get it away from me before it's too late!

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  2. Cute owl and cute mushrooms in picture #2 Van. Curse you for tempting me with your thrifted wonderfulness. ;)

    Chalkboard question! Do you use actual chalk or chalkboard pens to do your lovely labels? I'm doing a whole garden marker chalkboard paint thing. I love it! But the chalk looks awful and its hard to write with. Chalkboard pens are expensive, so I'm wondering if they are worth it.

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    1. I just use inexpensive colored crayola chalk. Chalkboard pens are pretty, but I'll just stick with these for now.

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    2. Hrm. Good to know. I'll hold off on the purchase then. Thanks for the info.

      Maybe I am just out of practice with my fancy chalkboard writin'!

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  3. Perfect fun jars (especially enjoy your use of the comics up top)!

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  4. So cute and fun! I love this idea, especially the comic detail :)

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    1. Indeed, glad I opted for comics rather than origami paper- it just pops more this way.

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  5. this is so cute! I just used a bunch of jars I got from freecycle as luminarias for a Midnight Valentine's Day Picnic, but now I've just gotta clean them up and I can CHALK BOARD PAINT THEM!

    Van, you are a woman after my own heart! xD

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    1. A Midnight Valentine's Day Picnic with luminarias? That's too damn cute. Glad your luminaras will get a second life.

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  6. I need that chalk paint hook me up! lol no but seriously I need that! Awesome DIY!!!

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    1. It's an excellent investment, 1 quart goes a looong way. I've been selling all kinds of bits I've painted with it.

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  7. Love it! I'm gonna hafta get my hands on some chalk paint.

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  8. Oh I dig the comic book tops! I don't have a need for much small storage but I want a set anyhow. Damn this hoarding disease. LOL.

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    1. Haha, I'm working through my "disorder" too. The house is trashed from crafting right now.

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  9. You are so much fun...great idea, though I do NOT need another project. I need a secretary, a cook and a professional organizer. Not asking for too much, am I? Sitting and reading blogs is so much fun and a great source for ideas but it is a tremendous time waster. But, I have filed this idea in my head and will remember it. It's the comics that make it so attractive to me, love me my comics.

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    1. I'll be doing many more crafts with comics, I love 'em too. And own them in excess!

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  10. Ditto...Ditto...Ditto!! I agree with all of the above comments. Love your comics on the lids idea!!! I am totally struggling with organizing the thousands of tiny things I've accumulated through my life :)
    xoxo,
    beth

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    1. It's especially hard for crafters/scrapbookers to get all the tiny bits of paper and beads in order...so much mess!

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  11. This is such a very cute idea Van! I really love because it is so cute.

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  12. Best thing for getting label residue off glass is a few tablespoons of baking soda and a little bit of water. Make it into a paste and rub. Works amazing on wine bottles and won't scratch. Those stubborn bits really respond to heat too. Great idea, I might use it for leftovers! http://thriftscore42.blogspot.com/

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    ReplyDelete

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