HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN DIY JAR MATCHES
With the daylight savings change candle’s popularity soared last week. Do you remember when matches were in a pack of 500 in the seasonal aisle at Kroger between the mouse traps and mosquito repellant? And we walked right by them to pick up the three packs of extended arm lighters? Do any of us dream of stick matches? This may explain why I made my own DIY jar matches. A jar of matches is so much prettier than a Bic lighter in the powder bath.
MATCHES IN A JAR
I got the idea when Pottery Barn and local gift shops started to sell decorative match boxes and cute apothecary jars filled with matches. The boxes cost $5.95 for 50 matches.
COST SAVINGS
I did the easy math and realized a box of 250 matches cost me less and I got to make something instead of a purchase.
And more important than that I had a purpose for ALL of the empty candle jars stashed in this dresser.
Those glass candle jars were waiting for a new purpose.
MOOD
There is something about the process of lighting a match.
The process of anticipation as the match tip brushes across the striking paper while we wait with wonder for the flame.
The DIY match jar scene plays like a Hallmark movie unless you are stuck in I70 traffic with 300 Subarus and SUVs filled with skiers.
But most of the time we are at home and each strike is like scratching a lottery ticket and at that moment you think? Did I win? Except the wait is for the match to light on the first strike.
It sounds a little pyromaniac-ish when I reread that sentence.
I remember Little House on the Prairie and Pa Inglass would strike the side of the stone fireplace to light his pipe. That might explain our fireplace remodel.
I think candles smell better with a match.
There is much debate about matches versus lighters, but I love the smell of a single match. And there is no plastic wand to discard.
I also love to repurpose anything made with glass. Like these plates.
So I put those two loves together and I made DIY matches in a jar.
SUPPLY LIST FOR DIY MATCHES IN A JAR
- MATCHES
- STRIKING PAPER OR USE THE STRIKER EDGE ON MATCHBOX. I LIKE THIS SET.
- PETITE GLASS JARS
- ADHESIVE DOTS OR
- PURCHASE ROUND STRIKER STICKERS
GLASS JAR SOURCES
It’s pretty much foolproof from here. I used a collection of petite glass jars. A glass jar with a lid is craft gold for these DIY jar matches.
- Hobby Lobby
- Dollar Stores
- Goodwill
- Small glass food jars (spices, pesto)
HOW TO ASSEMBLE
- Clean jars with this tip.
- Add matchsticks to each jar making sure the lid can still screw on or attach
- Cut out striking paper to fit under the bottom of the glass jar.
- Attach the striking paper dot or the striking strip on the side of the matchbox using adhesive dots like these or a bit of strong adhesive tape (like eletrical tape).
- I found these adhesive striking dots that make this step super easy.
TIP
I love the mini Anthropologie candles for these jar matches. But I have just as much fun sourcing jars.
Pair a jar of matches with a candle and this makes a cute hostess gift.
These are just a fun way to repurpose glass jars and it gets my friends talking.
They always pick up the little glass jar.
As we look to parties and gatherings this would be cute to pair with a candle for a hostess gift. What do you think? Start saving those candle jars!
