re-packaging jelly jars

I spent [almost] the entire day ‘re-thinking’ the presentation/packaging of my farm-raised home-made red currant jelly. If you recall, this past Summer, I had several marathon sessions of red currant jelly-making: plain red currant and/or with a hint of rosemary, lemon thyme or sage (and mint)! YUM!

Some will be gifted, but, I’m also hoping to sell ‘surplus’ red currant jelly in my shop!? I can’t possibly eat it all.

This is what my jelly jars currently look like: simple brown craft paper with twine and three old bitties on a label. The ‘threesome’ represented my two sisters and I, even though ~ W E ~  never made currant jelly together!!? It would have been a blast! [Sidebar: My younger sister and I have had salsa-making parties and was a ton of fun!!]

I like the brown craft paper – simple, less-is-more mentality. The twine can be difficult to work with especially when another finger is necessary to tie the knot!!? If not ‘tight’ enough, they can slip off! Oh dear!

As for the label, the sticky-ness just doesn’t adhere very well, especially if you have crystal-pattern (vs. smooth/plain glass) jars. I usually reinforce with some clear packaging tape. More work/effort! And, truthfully, since my sister passed a few months ago… the threesome just doesn’t seem right.

So, you can really lose track of time perusing Pinterest for brilliant ideas, ‘ya know!!?

I like the brown craft paper ‘top’ (five-inch round will do). I ‘personalized’ it with a Sheepy Hollow rubber stamp [I ordered quite some time ago on Etsy]. I thought the heavy/thick rubber band was a good alternative to the twine; less fussy. But, I love the R E D butcher’s twine – perhaps for a few special jars!??

Ebenezer: I must have a label… label label label label label! ((My fav movie at Christmas-time, A Christmas Carol, 1951))

Possibilities: I thought ‘over-the-top’ slip of paper was workable, but, it clearly hides interferes with my cute sheepy stamp. Does it really matter??

How about a tag over the side (with all the pertinent info) also attached by slipping it into the rubber band? Perhaps a colorful piece of washi tape to affix it to the jar at the bottom, if necessary????? UGH!?

… AND THEN I REMEMBERED I ALSO HAVE 4-oz. JELLY JARS, half the size of the pint-size jars you see in the photos!!! NOOOOOOOOOO!!

So, back to the drawing board!! However, before I leave, I just want to say, GO MAKE JELLY [or whatever] WITH A LOVED ONE!!! Hugs!

Apothecary

photo credit thesomedayblog.com

More than a druggist…

The word ‘apothecary’ is derived from apotheca, meaning a place where wine, spices and herbs were stored. Later, it came into use to describe a person who kept a stock of these commodities, which he sold from his shop or street stall.

In colonial times, the apothecary was more than simply a druggist. An apothecary often:

• Provided medical treatment
• Prescribed medicine
• Trained apprentices
• Performed surgery
• Served as man-midwife

 

The apothecary sold patented and proprietary medicines as well as medicines he made from imported ingredients. These ingredients included plant, animal, chemical and mineral materials. Liquids were the most common form of medicine and included tinctures and spirits (alcohol based), syrups (sugar and water based), and decoctions and infusions (water/oil based).

Apothecary jars have a long history in the world. Glass and ceramic containers by the hundreds were used to store simple ingredients and compounds for sale. Prepared medicines were stored in jars of various sorts. (Unlike today, prescriptions were not required for purchasing any medicines.)

Today, apothecary jars are popular storage containers for a variety of items. They come in various sizes, styles, and made from a wide variety of different materials. Some of the most popular ones are made from hand blown glass. Apothecary jars can hold basic household essentials such as herbs and soaps, or if they are clear, they can be filled with decorative items and displayed.

I have an assortment of antique, vintage glass and apothecary-like jars that I’ve collected over the years. They’re used for storage of dried herbs and misc herbal goods and concoctions (bath salts, vinegar, infused oils, etc). I prefer glass over plastic (although plastic is practical at times) and amber/colored glass (to protect herbs from exposure to sunlight) versus clear/transparent glass. I also look for large mouth/clear glass gallon ‘pickle jars’ for infusing herbs into oils for salve and soapmaking.

Whatever ‘style’ apothecary jar you prefer, they all require labels! Here’s a simple DIY label-making project. There are many ‘free’ labels available for download, but one of my favs for free graphics for artists’ use is  The Graphics Fairy.

Here’s another ‘free’ download for pretty labels from Eat Drink Chic.

photo courtesy eatdrinkchic

Hope you have fun creating labels for your storage containers!