Everything old is new again…mid-century modern decor, retro kitchens, Mad Men-inspired wardrobes, and now the ever-classic Ball jar. First created by John Landis Mason in the late 1850s, the Mason jar was (and still is) made of lime glass and used primarily for fruit canning (below); it’s commonly known as a “Ball” jar because of the manufacturing of Mason’s jars by Ball Corp. Along with fellow jar-maker Kerr, Ball is now a part of the Jarden Corporation.

Now that we know where they came from, let’s take a look at where they’re going. In the first photo of this post, a collection of Ball jars are covered with cool pastel Krylon spray paints and used as miniature planters, perfect for growing herbs and small potted flowers. Create Something Inspired offers a helpful step-by-step how-to article for the project.

Long known as a down-home drinking glass in the Southern states, the jars have become the base material for quite a few Etsy shops capitalizing on the tradition, adding stems and selling them as affectionately-coined “redneck glasses” like these from Rustic Roost:

And for an equally farm-to-table feel in a slightly more elegant application of the jar as home decor, there’s this horizontal chandelier, photographed by Tanya Lippert for Style Me Pretty:

Perfect for patio parties, barbecues and casual outdoor wedding receptions are these pre-scooped servings of ice cream, presented in sealed Mason jars nestled in tubs full of ice – a sweet way to refresh guests in the warm summer air:

And bringing things back into the great indoors, a little fun with popcorn kernels, almonds, and the like yields a charming set of dry food containers like these from The Rigneys…and for added organization (not to mention a touch of whimsy), a little chalkboard paint on the lids could go a long way:

These are just the tip of the iceberg where creative uses of this unyielding classic are concerned. We’re tipping our hats — and our Mason jar glasses — to the crafty and inventive minds finding clever ways to repurpose a simple household object into infinite possibilities. Cheers, y’all!

Photo credits: The CSI Project, The Kitch’n, Rustic Roost, Style Me Pretty, Symphanie, The Rigneys

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