We'll admit to an addiction when it comes to glass bottles and jars. We save them all, can't bear to part with them even for recycling, and we try to put the pretty ones to good use as vases or catch-alls in our home. This idea from Photojojo is a fun alternative, especially the way they've styled it. One jar frame might look a little chintzy, but this grouping of different shapes is sweet, especially in a sunny spot where light can fill the glass. The squat little jar, with its cropped photo of a sly expression, is especially nice. Click through for more examples and easy instructions...
Choose a photo whose shape and orientation work well with your jar. To use a bottle, you'll need to pick a photo that is only as tall as the bottle's widest point. Crop the photo as necessary and roll it slightly so that it will fit in the jar. Insert it upside down and adjust it with your fingers or with a pencil eraser until it is properly positioned. Then turn the jar over and voila!
The thickness and curve of the glass creates an interesting fish-eye kind of effect. Arrange several jars and bottles in different shapes and sizes for a pretty display.
For more detailed instructions with step-by-step pictures, visit Photojojo.
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LOVE! LOVE! LOVE! What a beautiful, zero-cost, and original way to display art and personal photographs, and re-use much-used glass jars and bottles that would otherwise be disposed of. I have to say, however, that those Coke bottles would be more attractive to display art with the distracting labels removed.
Thanks AT!!!
hey, that's pretty cute. I'm a total empty-jar-o-phile and this is a super clever idea. Would look great with monotones or nature photography or vintage photographs!
an obsession with glass jars? can't part with them? I think you need to get out more.
not a fan of the extra clutter.
FYI, on some glass Coke bottles the labels are painted on. They can't be taken off.
Jesse Lu - for the record (referring to the above comment) I find absolutely NOTHING wrong with having an attachment to glass jars... I can't throw them away, and constantly find uses for them. I think this could look really good if done tastefully and grouped artfully.
To each his own!
I love this idea, thanks for the great post!
There's a similar project in Martha Stewart Living this month.
This is such a neat idea!
I admire your ingenuity, but the peopel ones seem a bit creepy to me...
I think this could look cute with a little grouping of blakc and white photos. Or some neat art.
http://www.makemineeclectic.wordpress.com
The jars and bottles are too overwhelming and distract from the photos besides creating such unnecessary clutter.
i agree with lulou - creepy
This seems extremely creepy to me. I watch a lot of horror films so I can't help to think that once you turn the photo glass jars around, their eyes, teeth or fingers will be stored...gives me the shivers, but that's just me. I wouldn't want to sleep in a room where these glass jars picture frames are put to use.
I find absolutely NOTHING wrong with having an attachment to glass jars... I can't throw them away, and constantly find uses for them.
Ditto! I end up using them to store dry goods (flour, sugar, nuts, etc.) or utensils because I don't have much (any) drawer space for flatware.
MilenaB...maybe you should stop watching those kinds of films.
Very cool idea. Thumbs up!
I love that idea!
clever
GoodBiGirl, I think you got my comment mixed up with Lab Director's jar-hoarder critique.
I aggree, there's nothing wrong with hoarding glass jars, they can be so may things. My friends laughed at my collection until one day my neighbor-friends decided to throw an evening backyard soiree. What should occur but a lighting dillema... duh! Well I just quickly through some Epsom salt into my "crazy" collection of jars, tied some wire round the lips, added a candle and voila! Lighting problem solved and it looked phenomenal! They aren't laughing anymore.
I'm confused - why do so many people find this project 'creepy' when there are many chunky, curved, glass-covered frames in home design and department stores? To those who find a group of these types of jars overwhelming, I would suggest one or two strategically placed in a room (i.e. on a shelf with some books, on a night stand, etc.)
Regarding the obsession with glass jars: Why not? I hate to part with things that are so functional, have a great shape, and are made of good quality material. They are so much better than plastic or paper containers.
Niphil - thanks for the information about Coke bottle labels. I didn't realize some are painted.
Whoa talk about drama on here...
I agree that if you think something like this is "creepy" you are probably watching too many gross horror films... these aren't shaped very different than picture frames you can buy at the store. Such a crafty and unique idea. My boyfriend and I probably make less than 50k a year combined (We've only lived on our own for a little over a year) so it's always nice to hear cute money saving ideas.
And yes, if you are turning into a pack rat and not throwing ANYTHING away, I think you have a problem, but there is nothing wrong with trying to conserve resources by reusing jars! There are so many endless uses for them as someone mentioned before, storing dry foods, pencil holders, piggy banks... the list is endless. I think the people who are able to do this obviously don't stock up on stupid mass produced junk from target and wal-mart, so they probably don't have as much clutter as most people. After all, this section of Apartment Therapy is supposed to be green and eco friendly, that involves a lot of reusing!
As a question for the people who have actually made this project... do the pictures look nice from all angles? Depending on how well the picture fits inside, it seems like it might be a bit hard to see from some angles, with so much bent light reflecting off. I guess I'll have to try it out and see.
Thanks so much for the idea! I always appreciate it!
creepy? really, people? They are cute. And for those of you with kids, its a genius, cheap, easily swappable way for your kids to display their current BFF's. Seriously, some people have no freakin sense of humor.
i love jars too, I can't help it!