Who knew that the best time to buy jars would be in the fall? No, not just any old jars. Canning jars!
I know what you’re thinking. You don’t can. Well, then let’s not get into the whole canning bit. After all, most of us use jars for all kinds of things, right? Rice, flour, buttons, pens. You can put lots of things in jars.
Now, because I started doing some serious canning this past summer, I can honestly tell you that finding canning jars in the middle of the summer at a thrift store is a bit like trying to find a penguin at the North Pole. Someone would probably have to bring one in specially just for you.*
The good news is that during the past few weeks the local thrift stores have had a ton of glassware, especially canning jars. Even better? They’ve had some expensive European ones, too! You know. The kind they only sell at Williams Sonoma or you have to special order?
I found 5 of these 0.5L Bormioli Rocco Fido canning jars! There are also 2 small Le Parfait jars also. Now all I need are some new seals. Fantastic finds!
I also stumbled across these small white Restaurant Ware Fire King cereal bowls. They’re the perfect size and shape for ice cream. Yum!
Last glass find, but definitely not least – a set of two Pyrex bowls in wonderful condition, although the colors a bit thin at the very edge. No chips or anything. These are the older thicker (about half again as thick) Pyrex. According to info on Pyrex Love, the blue one is older, having no number on the bottom, but evidently these aren’t so easy to find. Needless to say I’m really happy to have only paid $5 for the pair!
I’m linking up today to:
*Ok, so this is a slight exaggeration. But not much!
Love the Pyrex! And great tip on the canning jars!
Diann @ The Thrity Groove recently posted..A Thrifty Redo of Vases
Nice finds! We usually pass right over the canning jars at the thrift. Gonna have to take a closer look at them now.
Oh, also – thanks for the Pyrex Love shoutout =) Haven’t had time to update in ages though, that’s a new year’s resolution…
I didn’t know that about the blue pyrex bowl. I have one too! Oh, and I also love Pyrex Love. I have it bookmarked on my phone for the pattern reference page.
a big part of thrifting is really knowing the story or value behind something huh? i didn’t know about those jars being all fancy pants
i do a little bit of canning here and there, but i use those jars for storing everything from craft notions to all the beans and grains in my pantry. i just love the look of them, and how you can see what’s inside at a glance.
ana recently posted..weekend in a nutshell – the village people dropped by
I’ve got a soft spot for Pyrex. I haven’t dove into finding out about the history on the pieces I have but it sounds like fun.
Monica recently posted..Thrift Share Monday-11-22
I’m always pleased to find the expensive canning jars in thrift stores too! Especially new ones! Great finds.
Christine recently posted..431 Some useful things from the thrift shop – Photographs
Thanks for stopping by, Diann! Isn’t the Pyrex a great find? I was thrilled to see it just sitting in a bin with a bunch of other stuff piled on top of it. Thank goodness the dishes weren’t broken!
I love the Pyrex Love site. And no complaints about the info on it, though I’ll certainly be happy to see anything new posted! It’s a great resource.
Do you? Aren’t they just a great size for a little bowl. They look small, but they’re really deep. I’m hoping to find the remainder of the set.
Fancy pants jars, heh! They are pricey, but that’s more why I don’t buy them new. I really love the shape though, so it was so cool to find them in a thrift store. I found some great Weck jars that way, too. They’re potbellied and so cute!
Until a little while ago I haven’t done much looking either. My new (to me) bowls are quite a bit thicker than the usual. I just had to see what was up with that. And yes, the site’s pretty amazing. There are quite a few Pyrex patterns I’ve never seen before. Thanks for stopping in and commenting, Monica!
You, too? I mentioned a few comments up that I lucked out this past summer and found some Weck jars in a thrift shop. Oh happy day! So now I always keep my eyes open for them.
oh i know, they can be pricey. i get mine at ikea. they are somewhat potbellied and cute too. the ones i see at thrift stores are often rusty on the hinges. yours are great!
ana recently posted..ravelry knitting project place-holder
Those Pyrex bowls are a great find. I’ve been looking for those two all year. I just found a Le Parfait 2L jar at an estate sale for 50c, but I didn’t realize it was an actual canning jar.
Betty recently posted..Would You Say No to a Grouchy Ladybug
Apparently I need to get my jar hunt on right now. I’m always looking for some to keep bulk buys from the grocery store fresh. And possibly to hold craft supplies in the future…once that mess is sorted out!
I keep some things in jars, but my poor pantry really needs some help. I think I should be buying for more storage in there, too. Who couldn’t use more storage for small things like that and for craft supplies?
Hi Betty! Yeah, those le parfait jars are cute. And you can’t just use any jars for canning, they have to be a bit thicker. That means they work better for storage of other things, too. If you can, on Gardenweb there’s a harvest forum, and they’re always talking about canning. Lots of info on jars besides the standard mason ones seen everywhere here in the US.
Some genuinely interesting info , well written and generally user pleasant.