Monday, May 20, 2013

What to Do with Mason Jars?

I know, I know... You're probably thinking I'm crazy that I just can't quite figure out
what to do with Mason jars. I've pinned loads of cute ideas, but for the life of
me, I just haven't been able to make them work in my house.

 Encouraged by my girlfriend, Jean, who has a small collection nicely displayed, I bought some
very reasonably when we were shopping during a trip to Indiana. Most of my jars are pretty old,
so I have hesitated to paint or glitter or change them in any way. But over the weekend
 I got them out and displayed them in an area in my kitchen:

I had to have the Queen jar, as my hubby calls me "The Queen" or "Queenie."
And I  love the one with the four-leaf clover that says "Good Luck."  And the three in
the drawer are all Acme.  (Always makes me think of the Roadrunner cartoon.
Weren't most of the coyote's explosives and traps from Acme? :-)  I would
love to have candy in every jar, but all I had right then was spools and three-year old Halloween candy
that I've warned everyone not to eat.  It's my decoration candy! 



I did find this baseball bubble gum at Dollar Tree. My brother and I used to find it mixed in with colored gumballs in a machine at Jack's grocery, a little country store with oily wood floors that of course made your feet black in the summer--we went barefoot all summer in the South. Our shoes came off as soon as our mom answered yes to our eager "Is it time to go barefoot yet?" and didn't go on until we went back to school. I'll never forget the dusky, fruity smell of that old store, and my little black feet that had to be washed with the hose before my mom would let me back in the house! 

The gumballs would be a nice addition to a shabby chic setting, lol:

I added a few special pieces to the display--butter crocks that were in our kitchen all through my childhood, a watercolored sunflower painted by my husband's great aunt and given to us as a wedding gift, and the scale which is a piece from our extended family.  When I got 
finished, I called my hubby in to look. His first response was, 
"Wow, it looks like Dr. Conkey's." 



 Now I have to tell you, that was exactly the right response!  Dr. Conkey's is a small store with old plank floors, vintage wood cases filled with all types of candy, a coffee bar, and wonderful decorations and trimmings. It is a heavenly place, and I since I've always wanted to 
live in a gift shop (or a museum, really), I couldn't have thought of a better
 decorating achievement with those Mason jars!

 I think I will be displaying these Mason jars all through the summer!
Do you have any Mason jar or grocery store memories?
                                                                      Laura


I invite you to link up with my Vintage View Sunday link party!


Linking up with:
Show and  Tell Friday
Make It Pretty Monday at The Dedicated House
Metamorphosis Monday
Dwelllings' Amaze Me Monday
Weekend Showoff Party
Time Travel Thursday
Inspire Me Tuesdays at a Stroll Through Life
Knick of Time Tuesday
You're Gonna Love It
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
Show Me What You Got Tuesdays
Primp Your Stuff Wednesday
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Grace at Home
Show and Tell Friday
Sweet and Simple Fridays
Feathered Nest Fridays

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

It looks great. I love the jars, and I loved the story about the store you went to as a kid. Reminded me of Mr. Harry's store I went to when I was a kid to buy Now & Later candy.

Cathy said...

Your story reminds me of Aunt Loreen, her mom owned a grocery store with the huge wood and glass display cases. Oily plank wooden floor that creeked with every step. Candy was in large jars, she would always give me a piece of candy. Good childhood memory.

Laura Turner said...

I remember that store! Do you remember the one where Mamaw and Papaw shopped--about two miles from their house toward Corbin?

Ruby and Arthur said...

Love your Mason jars. I have a collection of blue Ball jars. They make such cute displays! Jean

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

This is the prettiest decor with mason jars I have ever seen. I love it. So creative. Thanks tons for joining Inspire Me. Hugs, Marty

Cathy said...

I do, it was a much larger store.

Astrid Maclean said...

Perfection, your mason jars look fantastic displayed like this with that sunflower painting in the background. The vintage postcard from your previous post just finishes it off beautifully!

stefanie said...

I LOVE!!! old jars!

Nellie's Cozy Place said...

Those old ball jars are so neat, I especially love the blue ones, as that is my fav color of blue.
I think they are so neat but they
just don't go in my house unfortunately. So I just have to enjoy them on blogs like yours.
Nice vignette with them, and like what you put inside them.
Blessings, Nellie

Debbie-Dabble Blog and A Debbie-Dabble Christmas said...

Laura,
I LOVE how you used these jars in your display!! So pretty and very much like and old corner Grocery store. My only memory of mason jars is my Mom canning tons of tomatoes from my Dad's garden and her yelling at him not to plant so many tomato plants!! LOL!!
Great post!!
Thanks so much for always stopping by!!
Hugs,
Deb

Cindy @ Dwellings-The Heart of Your Home said...

Great way to use your mason jars and I love the drawer!!! It makes for the perfect vignette.
Thanks so much for sharing at Amaze Me Monday!!!
Blessings,
Cindy

Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson said...

Laura, I love that name; Dr. Conkey's! Your mason jar display is wonderful. I love my jars and use them often for displays. We had a little local grocery store called, Allens. The owner was Mr. Allen. We use to go there for penny candy. Years after the store closed his son had a yard sale and I got one of the old grocery carts. I have it under my pergola. Love it and it always reminds me of that fun childhood store. Thanks for sharing with SYC.
hugs,
Jann
p.s. Gotta get some of that baseball gum. Fun for summer!

Tea in the Library said...

Looks great! You nailed this display. Love the button card - perfect detail!

Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson said...

Hi Laura, just popping by to let you know that I will be featuring you at SYC later today.
hugs,
Jann

Nicole@nicole-southerncharm.com/ said...

I love how you have used the mason jars in this blog! I am new from southern charm! I would love for you to check out my blog and hopefully follow me back! Nicole

Jeannie and Linda said...

I love your pretty display! I also love old mason jars but have a very tiny kitchen.

Peace,
Linda at The French Hens Nest

Patty Antle said...

What a pretty vignette. You have a nice collection of mason jars. And you got them in Indiana? I'm in Indiana - is there a special antique store you love here? The painting is just lovely and I love the gum balls!