Mason Jars Then and Now

By Rachael HagenENG W131

Table of Contents Table of Images Audience Evolution of Glass History Patent Types of Jars Canning Methods Made in the USA Simple Creations

Baker’s Delight Illumination Visual Stimuli Useful Tool Keeping it “Green” Other Ideas Even More Ideas Conclusion Works Cited

Table of Images Cover Slide- Kerr Mason Jars; photo by R.

Hagen

Image 1- New Jersey Photos Website; http://images. search.yahoo.com

Image 2- Invention Website; http://www.invent.org/hall_of_fame

Image 3- Yahoo Website; http://images.search.yahoo.com

Image 4- Canning Website; http://www.allamericancooker.com/canningjars.htm

Image 5- Photo from Microsoft Clip Art

Image 6- Photo from Microsoft Clip Art

Image 7- Kerr Mason Jars; photo by R. Hagen

Image 8- Allen County Public Library; Super Simple Glass Jar Art by Kern Latchana Kenny

Image 9- Allen County Public Library; The Mason Jar Cookie Cookbook by Lonnette Parks

Image 10- YouTube Video; http://www.youtube.com

Image 11- The Pioneer Woman Website; http://thepioneerwoman.com

Image 12- YouTube Video; http://www.youtube.com

Image 13- Etsy Website; http://www.etsy.com

Image 14- Home and Garden Website; http://seattletimes.nwsource.com

Audience This presentation is directed to those people that

enjoy creative home projects that consist of regular household items, such as the mason jar. The ideas within each slide range from preserving home grown foods, home décor, useful tools, and creating “green” gifts.

My goal for this presentation is to provide information about the mason jar and suggest ideas for everyday uses, other than canning.

Evolution of Glass

In 1738, the first commercially successful glass company in America was established in Alloway, NJ.

In 1608, The first glasshouse was established in Millville, NJ. Millville is the oldest town in America that still makes glass today.

New Jersey had, at one time, more than 225 glass making factories in the state. The building of towns in Southern New Jersey was directly linked to glass making.

Image 1-New Jersey Photos Website; http://images.search.yahoo.com

HistoryJohn Landis Mason

Born 1835 – Died February 26, 1902Mason was and inventor and tinsmith from New York City. He is famous for inventing the mason jar in 1858.

The mason jar is defined as a glass jar that has a threaded neck and a threaded metal cap that screws down over a rubber ring, creating an airtight seal which is a reliable method for preserving foods.

Image 2- Invention Website; http://www.invent.org/hall_of_fame/287.html

1st Mason Jars

Patent The mason jar was patent

on November 30, 1858.

For the first 60 years of production the glass jars were embossed with “Mason’s Patent Nov. 30th 1858.”

Mason sold off his rights to the jar to several different people and reaped no monetary benefits, dying a poor man.

Image 3- Mason Jar Images Website; http://images.search.yahoo.com

Sizes and Cost

Types of JarsBall vs. Kerr

Ball Mason Canning

Jars Pint 3.2 X 3.2

X 5.2" 10.0 lbs $8.99

Ball Mason Canning

Jars Quart 3.9 X 3.9 X

6.9" 14.0 lbs $10.49

Kerr Mason Canning

Jars Half-Pint 2.8 X 2.8 X

3.8" 8.0 lbs $8.99

Kerr Mason Canning

Jars Pint 3.2 X 3.2 X

5.3" 9.0 lbs $9.49

Kerr Mason Canning

Jars Quart 4 .0 X 4.0 X

6.9" 13.0 lbs $10.99

Image 4- Canning Website; http://www.allamericancooker.com/canningjars.htm

Canning Methods Water Bath Method

Used for low-acid foods

Pickles

Tomatoes

Fruits: apples, berries, cherries, peaches, pears, plums, rhubarb

Fruit juices

Jams, jellies, and preserves

Pressure Canning Method

Used for acidic foods

Beans

Soups and stews

Red meat, fish, and poultry

Most VegetablesImage 5- Fruit; Microsoft Clip Art

Image 6- Soup; Microsoft Clip Art

Made in the USAMason jars are manufactured in the United States of America. This is one reason why I choose this topic for my project. In my opinion, it is important to buy American made products.

Image 7- Kerr Mason Jars; photo by R. Hagen

Simple CreationsProject #1

Picture Paperweights

This is a very easy project. You can use any glass jar but I recommend

a small mason jelly jar.

1. Layer the jar with colored sand and screw on the lid.

2. Choose a picture and use enough tape to press the picture onto the jar.

3. Place a piece of square fabric on the top of the jar, securing it with a rubber band.

4. Cover the rubber band with a ribbon. Tie it in a bow!

Image 8- Allen County Public Library; Super Simple Glass Jar Art by Karen Latchana Kenny

Baker’s DelightProject #2

Creating a cookie mix in a mason jar This is a simple, yet fun, idea to

create with your children. These jars make perfect gifts for teachers, too.

Just following the directions and you are sure to have a visually appealing gift that will make any belly happy.

You can even dress up the jar by adding a ribbon used to attach the name tag and baking instructions.

Image 9- Allen County Public Library; The Mason Jar Cookie Cookbook by Lonnette Parks

IlluminationThis 2 minute video gives instructions on how to make a lantern out of a mason jar.

What a great idea to decorate your garden or outside patio!

Image 10- YouTube Website; http://www.youtube.com

Visual StimuliMason jars can be used as vases for fresh cut flowers. Who needs to by those expensive, fancy vases when you have an old-fashioned watering jar right at the tip of your fingers.(Click on the image to explore more ideas.)

Image 11- The Pioneer Woman Website; http://thepioneerwoman.com

Useful ToolsThis video is a little over a minute long. What a useful tool! Use your mason jars with your blender to grind coffee beans or make your favorite margarita.

Image 12- YouTube Video; http://www.youtube.com

Keeping it “Green”Forget about only pouring your favorite tea into a mason jar.

You can create the perfect “hillbilly” wine glass from your mason jars.

All you need is an inexpensive, glass candle holder and a mason jar. Use silicon to bond them together and you will have the perfect glass for that special occasion.

These can be purchased through the Etsy Website. There are lots of styles to choose from!!!

(Click on the image to access the website)Image 13- Sassy Southern Wine Glasses on Etsy Website; http://www.etsy.com

Other Ideas Cotton Balls

Hair Clips

Bath Salts

Buttons

Rubber Bands

Candy

Screws

Rock Collection

For Pens and Pencils

Potpourri

Fire Flies

Silverware

Dog/Cat Treats

Ant Farm

Sprout Starter

Candle Holder

Storage Purposes

Even More Ideas Lots more storage ideas…

Marbles

Cereal

Yarn

Marshmallows

Small toys

Dry Beans

CoinsImage 14- Home and Garden Website; http://seattletimes.nwsource.com

Conclusion There are many uses, as I have outlined within this

presentation, for the common mason jar. You can use them for their original purpose, canning

foods, or for many creative, simple projects. When using mason jars, you are keeping the Earth

“green” and, also, using a product that is “Made in the USA”. This will help eliminate waste and give back to the working American class.

Works Cited “A Brief History of Common Home Canning Jar.” Canning Websites. Web. 10 Nov. 2011.

<http://www.pickyourown.org>

Audet, Marye. 50 Great Uses for Mason Jars . Planet Green. Web. 10 Nov. 2011. < http://www.care2.com>

Bailey, Roberta R. “Learn To Can” Mother Earth News (2009); 44-47. Academic Search Premier. EBSCOhost. Helmke Library, Ft. Wayne, IN. Web. 12 Nov. 2011.

“By the Way; Preserves.” New York Times 19 July 1998: 3. Academic Search Premier. EBSCOhost. Helmke Library, Ft. Wayne, IN. Web. 8 Nov. 2011.

“Canning.” Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6Th Edition (2011): 1. Academic Search Premier. EBSCOhost. Helmke Library, Ft. Wayne, IN. Web. 8 Nov. 2011.

“Canning Jars.” AllAmericanCooker.com. Web. 10 Nov. 2011. <http://www.allamericancooker.com/canningjars.htm>

Drummond, Ree. “The Beauty of a Mason Jar.” The Pioneer Woman 23 August 2010. Web. 5 Nov. 2011. <http://thepioneerwoman.com>

“Hall of Fame/Invent Profile.” Invent Now. Invention Websites. Web. 14 Nov. 2011. <http://www.invent.org/hall_of_fame/>

“How to Make Lanterns Out of Old Jars.” Howcast 29 June 2009. Web. 10 Nov. 2011. <http://www.youtube.com>

Works Cited (Continued)

“How to Use Mason Jars with a Blender.” Howcast 21 Dec. 2009. Web. 10 Nov. 2011. <http://www.youtube.com>

Kenny, Karen Latchana. Super Simple Glass Jar Art. Edina, Minnesota: ABDO Publishing Company, 2010. Allen County Public Library. 11 Nov. 2011.

Lautenbery, Frank. “New Jersey: Wheaton Village (Local Legacies: Celebrating Community Roots).” The American Folklife Center. The Library of Congress. Web. 14 Nov. 2011. <http://lcweb2.loc.gov>

Parks, Lonnette. The Mason Jar Cookie Cookbook. Garden City Park, New York: Square One Publishers, 2002. Allen County Public Library. 11 Nov. 2011.

Relf, Tim. “You Can Make The Christmas Presents That Mean The Most.” Farmers Weekly 147.20 (2007): 92. Academic Search Premier. EBSCOhost. Helmke Library, Ft. Wayne, IN. Web. 9 Nov. 2011.

“Sassy Southern Wine Glasses.” Etsy. Web. 10 Nov. 2011. <http://www.etsy.com>

Stewart, Martha. The Radio Blog. Web. 10 Nov. 2011. <http://theradioblog.marthastewart.com>