I love decorating with apothecary jars. I think they are especially fun to decorate with for the holidays. I had an idea to use beans as filler for one of my apothecary jars. It all started out great, until I had to re-arrange and use a different jar for my bean filler.
Apothecary Jar Holiday Decor
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I used red kidney beans, northern beans, and black beans to create my display.
I really liked how the bean apothecary jar filler turned out, so next up was the bean balls and kissing balls…
Red, White & Blue Balls
My intent was to put my cute red, white and blue balls in this cute apothecary jar. As you can see, they didn’t quite fit.
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On to plan B. I tried my larger apothecary jar. The patriotic balls fit, but they looked kind of silly because they were staggered back and forth.
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So, on to plan C. I was out of apothecary jars and decided the patriotic balls would fit best in the round apothecary jar I had already used for the bean filler.
This is where things got a little messy. First, I accidentally broke the base of the the round jar. I attempted to hot glue the base back together, but no luck. Fortunately the place that I purchased the jars from had a replacement jar in stock and I was able to buy a new one.
Second, I didn’t do a very good job removing the beans from the round jar and ended up having to sort the beans into piles of each of the colors.
I used the tall jar for my bean filler. I put 2 cups of red and white alternating beans topped off with the black beans (that look navy).
I’m very happy with how it all came together!
Resources
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Welll all that work paid off because it looks wonderful! Beans, huh, I may have to price them while I’m out grocery shopping today. What did you use for your kissing balls?
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this! Brilliant! I am so going to do this too!
Did you make the red, white, and blue balls too? If so, what did you use for them?
Your display looks fantastic! Like the two women that commented before me I just need to know if you made your kissing balls and if so what you made them with. Thanks!
I bought the kissing balls awhile ago, but they look like they wouldn’t be too difficult to make using some berry picks. I like the kissing balls so much, I think I might go ahead and make some and write about it on the blog if I can get the supplies. I went by Michaels tonight and couldn’t find what I wanted. Hopefully I can swing by Hobby Lobby tomorrow!
This is too cute! I’m going to make one! Love it!
Oh my! Layering the beans is a fantastic idea. I almost wish I still had my apothecary jars around now (I painted mine). The decorative balls were a great idea, too. So, so cute!
Wow – I LOVE your layered bean apothecary! That is so cool and the colors rock. Adding this to my inspiration board–thank you!
Your display looks great!
Thank you!
This is so cute! Great idea!
I LOVE this!! So cute! I featured it on my blog today, come on by and check it out!
http://livingcraftilyeverafter.blogspot.com/2011/06/five-fabulous-finds-14.html
Kelly
Thanks for the feature!
This is the most creative 4th of July decoration I have ever seen. Not to mention it is the cutest 4th of July decoration ever! I love your whole table. AMAZING!
Well, I am flattered. Thank you :).
…How clever! I’d love for you to share this at my link party. I am doing a post about the Fourth of July next week and this would be a great addition. LOVE IT!
Love this idea! I would never have thought of using beans to make 4th decorations! I think I may be bean shopping today!
Great job! It looks fabulous! You are so creative!! I just bought a few of those jars and I love that idea. Thanks for sharing!!
WOW! I love this it all looks SO awesome!! I think I need to copy this!
on a side note.. I really really like your picture frames that are on each side of your mirror, ive never seen anything like them! I adore everything about your area, will you come decorate my house??!! =P
This is beautiful. I love how you layered the beans. So creative!!!
ladeedacreations.com
This is such a smart idea. It looks so classy and elegant. Holiday decorations can sometimes look tacky but this is perfection! Beautiful.
Jessica – I agree about holiday decorations being cheesy. It is hard to find decor that will blend in with the rest of the home decor.
This is very adorable!! Great thinking on using the beans! I love this idea!
These are SO cute!! Just pinned them. Thanks for sharing!
I love the layered beans! Just a simple, yet beautiful display.
I love how the beans turned out, looks perfect and very festive!! Fabulous job!!!
This is such a great idea! I have to pull out my apothecary jars now and find some beans to do it too;)
Awesome display. I go through the same thing when I’m trying to fill my jars and vases. I always end up taking something out and putting it in something different to make things fit.
All your decor is so beautiful. I love the apothecary jars. I am featuring this at somedaycrafts.blogspot.com. Grab my “featured” button.
I love all your decor. It’s beautiful. I’m highlighting this at somedaycrafts.blogspot.com. Grab my “featured” button.
Thank you!!
Oh, I am definitely doing the bean jars. I was just talking to my mom yesterday about finding something patriotic for my jars. I love that the black beans truly look navy.
I’m also loving the picture frames hanving on each side of your display. Can you tell me where they’re from?
Be sure to stop by the Hillbilly Chicks. I have a giveaway going for a copy of celebraTORI.
~ Tonia
Just so you know for next time, E6000 glue works great on glass! It takes just a tiny bit to repair broken pieces or to attach 2 whole pieces together. Cute idea with the beans
Thanks for the feedback and thanks for stopping by. I picked up my first thing of E6000 the other day!
Hi I am trying to make the bean jars but when I went to the store the red kidney beans didn’t look so red they were almost an orange look. Do you know what store you bought them? Also did you buy light red or dark red beans?
Thanks! love your display!
Hi Becca –
I got the beans at Target. I bought the dark red beans.
Thanks for stopping by!
Camille
For Memorial Day, I did something like this in smaller apothecary jars. The first, I layered spice drops. The second I layered red, & blue m&m’s and used mini marshmallows for the white.
They were cute
Cute idea! I love using unexpected, everyday things with decor. Thanks for stopping by!
Oh my goodness how creative and incredibly cute! I would never have thought to use beans like this.
Just so you know, I featured you on today’s Show Off Saturday.
http://www.mydecoupagedlife.com/2012/06/show-off-saturday-fourth-of-july.html
Where do you get blue beans? I LOVE this idea!!!!
This may be a little late, but better late than never – right!? They are actually black beans! They just look like a dark navy blue.
Would be cute to use Jelly Beans too ~