Housewarming Jar

The idea behind this craft was to find a way to give a housewarming gift that was a little different than usual. I liked all the stuff I found on pinterest for gifts in a jar, so I took that idea and I put my own spin on it. I started with a jug that is about 10-12 inches tall and 8ish inches in diameter (those are my very precise estimations...). I got the jug at Marshalls for $6. I would definitely recommend buying larger glassware at Marshalls, they always have an amazing selection for great prices. The reason I went with a jug (is that what you'd call it?), instead of a jar was twofold: 1) It's bigger than a jar, 2) It has more practical reuse opportunities. The gift is for my brother and his girlfriend who live in a 1 bedroom apartment, so space is of the essence, if you will.

I then spent some time collecting items to put inside the jug. Here's what I came up with: an artisinal soy candle in a stemless wine glass that smells like sauvignon blanc, 2 Himalayan salt shot glasses, a gray Norwex kitchen towel, and an orange scrub daddy.

 My next idea was to add a personal touch to this project by etching "Home Sweet Home" on the glass jug! For step-by-step instructions on etching, see my post here. I used all the same materials. This project provided a new challenge since the glass surface was curved. It made it more challenging to hand carve out the letters., but I made do.

Gifts to go in the jug.

I taped the print out inside the jug for easy tracing.

Cutting out each letter out of the contact paper with an Xacto knife.

The result was a little less perfect, but if you aren't looking at the letters close up, I think it looks pretty good!

I might go back and touch up a few of the letters, because it looks like there are a few spots where the etching cream didn't fully set in before I washed it off.

The finished product! I can't wait to give it to the gift recipients!

Happy Housewarming :)