Crafting with Mason Jars and other Glass Containers

Follow Hester van Overbeek's easy steps to make a fresh flower-decorated tea-light holder for a garden party, store all your grains and pasta in large jars with vibrantly painted lids or why not surprise a friend with the colourful 'birthday in a jar'? There are lots of quick ideas that take no time at all, such as holiday memories in a jar, the table-setting jars or the floral centrepiece that will charm all your guests. Some are elegant, some are homespun, but all make use of natural materials such as wood, shells, flowers and leather - to give an original but sophisticated feel to your home and garden.

Once you are confident in making the simpler crafts, there are more intricate projects to try, using basic DIY techniques: make a fabulous drink dispenser, a desk lamp or a rustic vase display by attaching jars to a weathered piece of wood. All the projects have clear step-by-step instructions and hand-drawn illustrations to guide you, so all you need to do is pick the project you want to make first!