Monday, December 03, 2012

DIY upcycled chalkboard storage jars and balsamic-dijon dressing

Save your ass – store in glass. Easy storage jars in 10 minutes.

True to my demographic, I am the world's biggest Pinterest addict. I hate clutter, and Pinterest magically indulges my seemingly opposing penchant for collecting things while living in an open, uncluttered space. [You follow me on Pinterest, don't you?]

I had leftover chalkboard paint from my kitchen redo and needed ideas on how to use it up. Pinterest to the rescue with a gazillion pins showing how to make chalkboard glass jars. Since many of my grains are stored in plastic and storing foods in plastic has potential health consequences, I was immediately sold. Plus glass jars just look so much prettier. I already had in hand a recycled artichoke heart, olive, jelly and salad dressing jar, so I got right down to business. I'm doing this tutorial to share the DIY love. Just call me the vegan Martha Stewart.


 Making a chalkboard salad dressing jar was particularly useful, since I often make a variety of homemade dressings that all mysteriously share the same tawny brown color. 

You'll need:
  • Clean jars, labels removed
  • Chalkboard paint [Pinterest also has pins on how to make your own, but they have mixed reviews]
  • Painters' tape
  • A knife or razor blade for cleaning up the edges
  • Chalk or a chalkboard marker [For labeling your jars]

1. Using painters' tape, mask off your label area.






2. Paint masked-off area. Let dry completely then add another coat.


3. Carefully peel away masking tape. Clean up edges with a razor blade, if needed. Grab your chalk and start writing!



















Dijon-Balsamic Dressing

All this craftiness makes you hungry, so after you create your DIY chalkboard salad dressing jar, try this easy, tangy-sweet dressing.




  • 3 T best-quality balsamic vinegar
  • 2 tsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 garlic clove, crushed
  • 6 T best-quality extra-virgin olive oil
  • Salt and fresh-ground pepper, to taste

Makes a healthy cup

In a medium bowl, whisk together the vinegar and mustard. Whisk in the olive oil until smooth. Stir in garlic. Adjust seasonings and enjoy.

Follow Me on Pinterest

7 comments:

Sarah E. Jahier said...

This is neat-o! Thanks for sharing...

And following you on Pinterest now! :D

Cadry's Kitchen said...

What a great idea! I always just write on my glass jars with a permanent marker. (It comes off glass with water and a scratch pad.) However, this is much cuter!

Anonymous said...

Awesome idea!

Anonymous said...

I have everything in glass jars too but they seem so cluttered because there are so many shapes, when you do this with the labels they all look like they belong together. I love it!

mamapasta said...

very good idea...I have tons of jars with flour inside....and I just taste them in order to find the good one...
( I learn that the " Dijon's musée de la moutarde " is closed ....it was so nice!)

urban vegan said...

Thanks. One thing I noted is that you have to sometimes "curate" jars by lids. Some lids are more branded than others. Plain ones work best, but if they are inside your cupboard, who cares, right?

Joey said...

Now that is a clever idea! I'm making a few food presents for people this Christmas, and was wondering how to make the labels look good. I'm totally pinching this idea - thanks!