| Since it is unsafe to reuse a used canning lid to | | | | 5. Scarecrow |
| seal another canning jar, what to do with all of | | | | Polish the lids with #0000 steel wool to give them |
| the used lids? It may not seem like a big problem | | | | a nice bright shine. Hang them with string around |
| for the occasional home canner who puts up a | | | | the garden to keep the birds away. |
| couple of batches of tomatoes, jelly and a jam | | | | 6. Refrigerator magnets |
| each year. | | | | Print out family pictures. Cut them to fit the lid. |
| If you get into the habit of canning a lot of stuff | | | | Glue the picture to the lid and a small flat magnet |
| you will end up with a pile of used lids. Instead of | | | | on the back side of the lid. They make great |
| throwing them into the trash and adding to our | | | | Christmas, birthday and grandparent's day gifts. |
| landfill problems, here are ten creative ideas for | | | | 7. Mixes in a jar |
| repurposing used canning lids. | | | | Put together the dry mix for a family favorite |
| 1. Mobile | | | | recipe (cookie, cake, baked beans, etc.). Discount |
| Spray paint the lids bright colors. Drill a hole | | | | retailers sell inexpensive canning jars. Fill the jars |
| through each lid about a 1/4 of an inch from the | | | | with the dry mix seal with the used canning lid |
| edge. Tie the string to the lid and then to the | | | | and ring. |
| coat hanger. | | | | 8. Dry Goods Storage |
| 2. Matching game | | | | The used lids work well for sealing mason jars |
| Create a matching game. Print out two of each | | | | filled with dry pasta, sugar, flower, noodles, etc. |
| letters, numbers, pictures of animals, shapes, | | | | You don't need a vacuum seal, just enough of a |
| colors, characters, etc. Cut out the items and glue | | | | seal to keep the dust and weevils out. |
| them to one side of the lid. | | | | 9. Christmas Yard Art |
| 3. Wind chime | | | | Drill or punch two small holes on the ends. Spray |
| Drill a small hole near the edge that is wide | | | | paint or buff the lids. String them together into |
| enough for the string to fit through. File off any | | | | strands. Another idea is to create garland with |
| rough edges that the drill bit created while boring | | | | drop downs of 3-5-7 from the main strand. |
| through the lid. String them together at different | | | | 10. Christmas ornaments |
| levels but close enough so that they will touch | | | | Make a series of Christmas ornaments out of the |
| each other. Optionally you can spray paint the lids | | | | lids by punching different patterns into the lid. Be |
| different colors before assembling. | | | | creative by punching in patterns such as |
| 4. Children's toy | | | | snowmen, snowflakes, Santa Claus, Christmas |
| Drill a small hole near the edge that is wide | | | | tree, cross, etc. Take lace and glue it to the |
| enough for the string to fit through. File off any | | | | outside circumference of the lid. |
| rough edges that the drill bit created while boring | | | | I hope these ideas will provide you with some |
| through the lid. Use string ribbon or string to tie | | | | creative uses for used canning lids. Don't have |
| the lids together. Don't use any rusted lids or paint | | | | enough canning lids to make these crafts? |
| them. The paint could flake off. | | | | |