Repurpose Mayonnaise Jars Into Pretty Craft Storage Containers
Repurpose your mayonnaise jars into pretty craft supply storage containers for free with a little paint, glue, and pretty paper.
My recent Craft Room Makeover inspired me to make more storage for supplies. Nothing says thrifty more than turning empty mayonnaise jars into pretty craft storage containers!
Most crafters have repurposed containers in their craft space. Food cans, all sorts of jars including Mason jars which we all love. I have developed an affinity for using mayonnaise jars and I enjoy decorating them so my craft space is more attractive.
If my Two Tier Spinning Tray looks familiar that is because it was a Thrift Upcycle project from a while back. I am still enjoying it and keep it always located to my right on my crafting work table. It holds about five mayonnaise jars on the bottom with commonly used supplies.
A few simple supplies
- Clean empty mayonnaise jars with lids
- Pretty craft paper (Music notes from Hobby Lobby)
- Mod Podge
- Jute twine
- Hot Glue
Step 1
I begin by painting the lids. If you are as impatient with the paint drying process as I am, use a small fan to speed it up! My lids are drying on repurposed ice cream cups turned upside down.
I am using pink and brown so I painted an equal number of lids each color.
I use DecoArt Tutti Fruitti and Cinnamon Brown for all my lids. The brown covers with two coats but the Tutti Fruitti takes closer to four coats to cover those Duke’s Mayonnaise jar lids. That is where the pretty craft paper comes in!
Step 2
Use the lid as a template to cut out your choice of craft paper.
Cover the lid with Mod Podge and press the paper into place. Allow ample drying time.
Step 3
Then add a coat of Mod Podge to the top of the paper as a sealer.
Even if you are not covering the lids with paper, you will want to seal the paint. Mod Podge is quick and easy to use as a sealer for such a small project. It goes on white but it dries clear.
My napkin of choice to pretty up this particular mayonnaise jar has a beautiful hydrangea print. I found them at a store called Tuesday Morning which is a great place to find pretty napkins for Mod Podge projects. Amazingly I also found them on Amazon here!
Step 4 Decorating the outside of the mayonnaise jar
Apply Mod Podge to the jar and carefully place the napkin as you wish it to be. It may be easier to paint small portions of Mod podge glue and apply the napkin in small sections at a time.
Pack your patience when cutting the pattern out of the whole napkin. That process takes a few tedious minutes.
Carefully paint Mod Podge on top of the napkin in place on the jar. After the first coat dries. Add a second coat.
I always paint Mod Podge around the edges of the jar because it creates a frosted look which I like. This is completely optional. You can still see through the mayonnaise jar even with the frosted look.
It is my intention to cover some white candles with this same napkin for spring decor!
Jute also works well for decorating mayonnaise jars into pretty craft supply storage containers. I used hot glue to attach the jute.
Repurpose mayonnaise jars for storing craft supplies or anything you may need. Be creative with decorating the outside of the jars. Scroll down for more around-the-house repurpose projects.
More Repurpose Projects
- DIY Framed Pegboard
- How To Make A Two Tier Tray Using Thrifted Picture Frames
- Solar Floor Lamp Thrift Upcycle Project
- DIY Mason Jar Wall Vases @Domestically Creative
Craft Room Storage Supplies
- 10 Drawer Organizer Cart
- Bankers Box 8 Compartment Sorter
- Craft Paint Storage Rack
- Storage Cube Organizer
Jars are such a great thing to upcycle! The possibilities seem endless. Thanks for linking up with us at the #HomeMattersParty this week.
I have been using my mayo jars for years, mainly to store beads. I love your decorations. Mine are staying plain for now so I can see what I have. However, I think embellishing them would be great for the gifts I give in them; chex mix, muddy buddies, etc. The jute lends a masculine touch which is hard to come by.
I love what you did with the mayo jars. I’ve always looked at mine and thought it was a waste to send them to the recycling bin. Thanks for the inspiration!
Such a pretty repurpose! I love the color that you chose 🙂
As always you are so very creative, Shirley! I think I love the jute one and the jar you decorated with old photos best.
What a great up-cycle project. Anytime you can re-purpose mayonaise containers into something pretty and useful you have hit the jackpot! I love the painted lids. They are very creative!
Wow Shirley-I would never know these were mayonnaise jars-so cool and creative!
I adore this idea. It is especially great because the mayo jars don’t break. That makes it handy to have in the craft room if you are a klutz like me when I am crafting.
These are great, Shirley. It’s always amazing what can be done with items that might otherwise be discarded. I save pasta jars and use them for tons of things. I especially like the jute wrapped jar. Pinning to my upcycle board.
I just started sorting my stuff into old jars to try and organize it, but mine aren’t cute like yours. They look great!
Love this idea. I always save our peanut butter jars but so far I haven’t done anything with them.
My repurposing sister!great job.
Great way to stay and be organized! Visiting from Thrift Store Challenge.
Hey Shirley! I collect mayonnaise jars, too, but haven’t done a thing with them yet! I love your variety of transforming them! So many ways for a new look! But I think I like covering the tops best and decoupage using napkins! They all look perfect on your spinning tray! Such a pretty display!
This is a great idea to use those plastic jars. I have so many little bits and pieces and it would be nice to have somewhere to corral them!