I use a ton of mason jars in crafts around here. I get tons of questions on the types of jars I use. I thought I would compile this mason jar buying guide to have one resource for all of your mason jar needs. Everything you ever wanted to know about how I purchase mason jars is below. All opinions are my own however.
If you want to do a jar craft with a little bitty teeny tiny jar, glass vials with a cork stopper are the answer. They come in a wide variety of sizes for your needs. And they will definitely look similar to a mason jar once that cork stopper is removed. There are some special reproduction mason jars in tiny sizes but they are way too expensive to be using with craft projects y’all. Just stick with these and craft til your heart is content.
I use the 4 oz mason jar a ton for crafts as well as organization projects. These are basically your standard jelly jar cut in half. They work nicely for favors as well. This is one jar I always have on hand in my home.
The standard size jelly jar is a half pint mason jar. You can find these in the quilted version (pictured below) as well as ones with just the standard BALL logo. Look for the ones that will suite your project.
One of my go to jars is the half pint squat jar. It holds the same amount as the one above however it has the cutest squat shape. These have been working their way into more and more of my projects lately. You may have a hard time finding these in stores so be sure to stock up online.
The typical mason jar is the pint mason jar with a standard lid. These are perfect for craft projects, drinks, desserts, and so much more. These are probably the version that started the mason jar craze and definitely need to be a staple for any serious mason jar crafter. These are also available from Ball in the special color series. Try them in blue, green, or purple.
If you want to change it up a bit, try the pint mason jar with the wide mouth. These are perfect for hanging projects as the mouth is wider than the jar itself and it is a large pint size.
One jar I have just started using is this squat pint mason jar. This is the version that perfectly fits a cupcake when turned upside down. I am sure there are tons of craft ideas for this one out there and I am on a mission to use the set I bought more often. Again these are not widely available in stores so be sure to pick some up!
Another jar that you may not think of purchasing is the pint and half mason jar. This one is like a tall jelly jar. It is available in the Ball logo version like pictured below as well as a quilted version. These make great glasses and displays for food as well as being handy for a variety of craft projects.
Keep it simple with the one that started it all. The quart mason jar with a standard mouth is the jar you grew up with. These are a must for any mason jar crafter y’all. They come in the new blue (currently out of stock), green and purple. Plus the BEST part is they have a crafting version that has no logos and is perfect for your projects.
You can also buy the quart mason jar with a wide mouth. These are perfect for when a project requires just a little more width in the mouth of the jar. I personally love this version for gifts in a jar!
If you want to go BIGGER with your mason jar crafts try the half gallon mason jar. These will crank up your mason jar crafts in a big way.
Still not big enough for you? Then grab the gallon mason jar! Go big or go home y’all! These are great for use as canisters and more around your home as well. If you need big storage, this jar is for you.
I hope y’all find this mason jar buying guide helpful. If you are wondering what jar to buy for your next project, this guide is for you! Y’all enjoy! And please ask any questions in the comments below!
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I have never ever seen the new reproduction blue jars in quarts. They only distributed blue pints in this area. Are you sure they made blue quarts? I have green and purple in both sizes. These are so popular, the prices went up this year when the purple jars came out! Love my Mason/Ball jars!
I did see them but they were limited. It has been almost three years ago now however!
Ball also makes a 3/4 pint (12oz) size jar. I have only ever seen them in the quilted version. These are my personal favorite. For gifts in a jar the jar is alway completely full, and I think that looks prettier. Also, like the smaller jelly jars the opening is the same size as the jar, no shoulders to fight and scrub when your trying to clean them for your next craft.
Do you look around at yard sales and auctions? I have bought all my jars this way, and I generally pick up a whole box for $2-3. Plus it’s like Christmas when you find a really old cool jar you’ve never seen before hidden away in your box!
Actually, I did do another craft with a jar. I put quotes in it and designed a round label to go on top.
My fav jar is the one with a handle for a drinking glass…..bout a pint size….around 8 oz. I’ve seen blue ones on adverts, but I haven’t seen the green and purple. The only crafting I’ve done with glass jars was cookies in the jar for a valentine gift. Worked out really well. I used the largest size ball jar and put my homemade cookies in it. There was lots of room and it was more like 6 cookies fit in the jar instead of just 2 or 3.
I love Mason Jar crafts but I can only use jars that have a chip in the rim, not only because I can, but because the ghost of my Mother shows up demanding to know what I am doing wasting the canning jars. I’m 62 and still haven’t escaped her voice or the memories of those hot summer days and the bushels and bushels of vegetables from our garden and every U-Pick site within 50 miles. We canned or froze everything from Apples to Zucchini. I am scheduled for a hip replacement in October, so no canning this year, just guilt at buying veggies, but next year I am hoping my daughter lets my granddaughter come for a week and help–she will be 7 so she can slip the skin from tomatoes and learn to make applesauce at the least! Maybe we can even do a craft or two with chipped jars.
Thanks so much for sharing your story. I love hearing it. Good luck with the hip replacement!