I first got the idea for this do-it-yourself project from a past issue of Disney’s FamilyFun Magazine – their idea was to take small kid’s trinkets, glue them to the top of a jar, and then spray paint it. The concept was to give your kids a jar to keep their own “special finds” in.
I immediately thought that this would be a great idea for creating a DIY Father’s Day gift! I actually made a set of “Nuts & Bolts Jars” for my brother’s birthday last month & he LOVED them! The whole process took about 5 minutes per day for a few days (allowing time for the glue & spray paint to dry). All in all, I paid about $4 for the spray paint and $1 per jar (though you could recycle some used ones you may have laying around) – the rest of the items I had on hand already! All of the supplies can be found at your local craft store – or hardware store! This really is such an easy & inexpensive gift that Dad is sure to love!
You’ll Need …
- Glass Jars with lids, new or used – I used new Mason jars
- Spray Paint – I used Krylon Indoor/Outdoor Spray Paint in Oxford Blue (Satin)
- Glue – I used Amazing E-6000 Industrial Strength Adhesive. Whatever you get, make sure it will work on metal surfaces & is waterproof.
- Nails, Screws, Nuts, Bolts, etc – anything you’d like to glue on top of your lid(s). I used all parts that I had found around the house & buried in the bottom of my husband’s tool box. Most of my items were used, bent, and some were even painted! Just use what you can find!
How to …
1. Clean your jars & lids and allow them to dry. If your lids are 2pc (screw ring & inside seal), glue them together. Allow to dry.
2. Using small amounts of glue, adhere your nuts & bolts (or whatever you’re using) to the tops of each lid. Try to “stack” your items to give some character and dimension to the lids. Don’t worry too much about the glue showing or getting it elsewhere (just wipe it off before it dries) on the lid. You can group your items into like-kinds (nails on one, screws on another, etc) or mix them all up – make it fun and just use what you have on hand. Allow the glue to dry completely (mine took 24 hours). Note: if you’re using an industrial strength glue, be sure you’re in a well ventilated area!
3. Working in a well ventilated area, spray paint the tops of each lid, unattached to the jars so as not to get spray paint on the glass jar, and using protective material over your work surface as needed. Keep your spray can at least 8 – 10 inches away from your lid so you don’t get pools of paint or dripping marks. Try to cover the entire lid evenly, but don’t worry if you can still see through the paint after the first coat – it will even out as it dries & you can apply more coats as needed. To make sure that I had an even coat around the bottom rim, I made an empty ribbon spool and placed it under my lid so that my lid would stand 3-4 inches off my work surface. Allow to dry completely – usually 24 hrs. Apply additional coats until your lid & nuts/bolts are well covered and evenly painted. It took me 3 coats with each lid.
4. Reassemble your jars with lids affixed to them, wrap, and watch your husband or father’s face light up!
A few uses for these jars includes, but is not limited to …
- Leftover nails, screws, nuts, bolts, etc.
- Paper clips, clamps, and other office accessories
- Keepsakes – that rock he found as a child, his favorite marble, your child’s first lost tooth, etc.
- Random change – I know your husband/dad has pennies, nickles, dimes, & quarters scattered around the house (mine does too). Give him one of these jars to keep those monies in instead.
- Coffee grounds, seasonings, and favorite grilling dry rubs – since my brother lives alone, this is what I recommended him to use them for – makes his kitchen more manly!
Find more Father’s Day Deals & Gift Ideas!! What are some of your other favorite do-it-yourself ideas for Father’s Day Gifts?
