Tuestorial: Personalized Pencil Jar

The smell of freshly sharpened pencils, new clothes, and Fall teasing you around the corner...that's right, kids, it's back to school time! Even if your school years are behind you, here is a craft the kid in you will still enjoy. Give it as a gift to your favorite teacher or add it to your work desk. Either way you use it, you'll be the coolest kid in your class.

Materials Needed:

• Mason jar or any large glass jar without a lid
• Glass-friendly paint 
• Thickers or adhesive letters
• Paint brush
• Scissors

Step 1:

Decide what personal statement you would like on your jar. I went with "Mine" so no one will confuse my pens with theirs (smart!). 

Step 2:

Cut out your letters and make sure they fit on your jar before applying. Once your layout is complete, apply the letters and make any necessary adjustments.

Step 3:

Time to paint! I chose to paint my jar and letters the same color for a subtle look, but you can paint your letters a different color or add glitter (before applying to your jar, of course!). Depending on the type of paint you use, a couple of coats might be necessary.

Once the paint is dry, stand back and enjoy! Add pens, pencils, scissors, or any school supplies to your jar and start daydreaming at your desk.

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Tuestorial: Recipe Box

Most of the time, I come across enticing recipes on Pinterest or blogs to recreate. This has left my favorite recipes scattered across my computer, print-outs stuffed in containers throughout my kitchen and email drafts saved. Wouldn’t it be nice if they were in one, easy-to-grab location? It also would be nice if it looked pretty awesome too! Goodwill gave me that answer in the form of a slightly beat-up recipe box.

Materials Needed:

• old recipe box or wood box
• your recipe collection
• index cards (size that fits in your recipe box)
• acrylic paint
• paint brush
• Thickers or sticker letters
• glitter

Step 1:

You can find recipes boxes to use at thrifts stores or wood boxes at craft stores.
Prep your recipe box to paint. I decided to paint mine two different colors (top part bright green, bottom part tan). I tested the paint on the inside to make sure it would work with the box material.

love my laminator

Step 2:

Paint your box and while it’s drying, prepare your recipe cards. I printed my recipes on 3x5 index cards that fit inside my recipe box. Since I have a laminator, I decided to laminate all my recipe cards (you can also visit any major office store or Kinkos to get yours laminated too!).

Any excuse to play with glitter

Step 3:

Take the Thickers (sticker letters) and cut out the letters you want to use. Peel off the top layer to expose the sticky top. Sprinkle with glitter of your choice (probably the best part here). Shake off excess glitter.

Step 4:

Apply a second coat of paint if needed. Once it’s dry, attach the Thickers to the outside of your box. Voila! Ready for your next cooking adventure.

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If you're an Etsy seller in the San Francisco Bay Area, contact Our Team Captain about joining SFEtsy!