How to Reuse Canning Lids
Containers from homemade canned goods purchased from farmers markets can be reused well after the item they originally contained is consumed. While the jar the product comes in can be sterilized and reused for canning or food storage the canning lids cannot be reused. The lids do not need to be thrown away. They can be used for craft projects. The lids make wonderful ornaments or simple magnets for your refrigerator.
Things You'll Need
- Scrap paper (newspaper can be used)
- Used canning lid
- Hammer
- Nail
- Scrap wood
- Clean metal primer (Rust-Oleum makes it in spray paint form)
- Arts and crafts paints (can be purchased at any craft store)
- Paint brush
- Pencil
- Scissors
- Sandpaper
- Glue
- Ribbon
- Magnet
- Mod podge
- Family photo, scrap paper, or decorative ribbon
- Jewels (optional)
- Glitter (optional)
Instructions
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Painted Canning Lid Magnet
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1
Cover your workspace with scrap paper. Shake the primer and spray the lid. allow the primer to dry for a full day. The primer will allow the paint to stick to the surface of your can.
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2
Flip the lid over and glue the magnet to the back of the lid.
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3
Flip and paint the canning lid with arts and crafts paint. Creative ideas include painting a silhouette, painting stripes, painting dots, drawing faces, or letting your children create their own art pieces.
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4
Decorate with glued jewels or sprinkles of glitter if you wish. Dry for 24 hours and hang on refrigerator.
Canning Lid Ornament
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5
Place the canning lid on a workbench over the piece of scrap wood. Center the nail towards the top of your canning lid. Hammer the nail to create the hole for your ornament.
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6
Scour the front of the canning lid with sandpaper or steel wool to create a rough surface.
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7
Print a family picture, decide on decorative paper or choose a design from a magazine. Place the canning lid on top of the desired element and trace a circle with a pencil. Cut out the circle with scissors.
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8
Align the picture on the top of the canning lid. Remove the picture and paint a thin layer of mod podge on the top of the canning lid and the bottom of the picture. Press the picture on to the lid and allow the canning lid to dry for two hours.
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9
Paint a final layer of mod podge on top of the picture to preserve it. Allow the canning lid to dry for 24 hours.
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10
Use your hand to feel for the hole poked in canning canning lid. With the nail poke a hole through the original nail hole to pierce the paper. String the decorative ribbon through your ornament and tie the ribbon in a bow.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Embellish the canning lids with glitter or jewels if desired.
Make a new set of ornaments every year with your family.
Magnets can be decoupaged and ornaments can be painted.
Used canning lids can not be reused to can. The vacuum seal becomes compromised.
