THE MASON JAR MAVENS

A Collaboration For Mason Jar Enthusiasts

curated by

www.MasonJars.com

THE MASON JAR MAVENS

A Collaboration For Mason Jar Enthusiasts

Appendix:
I. Introduction
II.

Mason Jar History

III.

Meet the Mason Jar Mavens

IV.

DIY: Erica Leatherman

a. Sauerkraut Cubits Organics
b. Tangy Giardiniera FARMCurious
c. 2-Minute Mayo Faulk Farmstead
d. Mason Jar Lantern Fillmore Container
e. Dijon Vinaigrette Peeking Pines

V.

Reuse: Gaia Ashbury

a. Fermenting City Folks Farm Shop
b. Reinvent the Milkman The Juicy Banana
c. 31 Mason Jar Uses Keeper of the Home
d. Salt Shaker Top Peeking Pines
e. Green Goddess Dressing Mason Jars Company

VI.

Remember: J.D. Wyeth

a. Cuppa Asian Soup Big Red Kitchen
b. Traditional Pickled Eggs Carlo Fuda
c. Homemade Throat Therapy Crazy Life as Mom
d. Bloody Mary Tradition Karen Rzepecki
e. Family Favorite Candied Nuts Mason Jars Company

VII.

Organize: Prue Weisenraum

a. 1 Hour 3 Salads 6 Meals Big Red Kitchen
b. Pantry 101 Cubits Organics
c. Cupcake Liners & More Mason Jars Company
d. Garage Clean-Up Mason Jars Company
e. Counter-top Canisters Mason Jars Company

VIII.

$ave: Gert Gahtzmuney

a. Quick Healthy Breakfast Crazy Life As Mom
b. Saving Tomato Seeds Cubits Organics
c. Homemade Apple Sauce Mason Jars Company
d. Bulk Buys -- Mason Jars Company
e. Homemade Mouthwash Mason Jars Company

IX.

Gift-A-Day Guide

X.

Mason Jars Company

XI.

Thanks & Acknowledgement

INTRODUCTION
Since launching reCAP several years ago, we have met so many people like us who just adore Mason jars.
They share with us not only their passion, but many ways to repurpose jars, from recipes to crafts, ideas to
inspiration. At the root of it, everyone has at least one reason why they use and reuse Mason jars time and
time again. In honor of these people and uses, we created The Mason Jar Mavens, who serve as guides for
this eBook collaboration. Weve gathered entries from some of our favorite bloggers, stockists, and staff. We
hope you enjoy!

MASON JAR HISTORY

The Mason jar was invented and patented in 1858 by tinsmith, John L. Mason. Raised in Philadelphia, he
moved to New York and filed his jar patent at the young age of 26. As a tinsmith, Mason first created the
standard thread cap then the jar to go with it. Around the same time, other countries around the world had
their versions, such as Kilner and Norway. In the 1800s there were hundreds of different brands throughout
the world selling essentially what we have come to call Mason jars.
The jars were an immediate success, offering a more reliable method of preserving foods and were widely used across the country allowing homesteaders and urban populations to flourish. Like today, the jars
were affordable and re-useable. For the next 100 years, with only some minor tweaks, Mason jars were an
integral part of food preservation. Although canning (the American term for home preserving) decreased
in popularity in the mid-1900s, we are seeing a 21st century resurgence due to economics and desire for
better food choices.
You will often find old jars famously embossed with Masons Patent Nov 30th 1858 even after the expiration of his patent. Because competitors produced most Mason jars after his patent expired in 1879, Mason
did not become wealthy and he died broke in New York City in 1902.
There are significantly fewer manufacturers today. The most common North American brands are Ball, Kerr,
Golden Harvest and Bernardin, all are made in the US & Canada by Jarden. Other brands such as Orchard
Road and generic Mason jars are mostly made in Asia. In Europe we can still find Kilner, Quattro Stagioni
and Le Parfait.
Whats great about these jars is the common screw-top mouth sizes that allow interchangeable caps. reCAP
transforms the re-usable, interchangeable jars into the most versatile tool in the home!

MEET THE MAVENS!

[Maven n. noun: A person who has special knowledge or experience; an expert.]
Were amazed at how many people around the world love Mason jars. The Mason Jar Mavens capture the
essence of why Mason jars are not only very popular, but so incredibly versatile and multi-functionalfor
everyone! These 5 characters helped us launch our Kickstarter campaign for the reCAP Flip Cap, which will
be available in March of 2015 at MasonJars.com.

ERICA LEATHERMAN

Erica has been tending to chickens and hatching her own creations since way before
the urban homesteader movement took off. Alongside her blue-ribbon winning
chicken, Meryl Peep, she enjoys micro-farming and finding the freshest ingredients at
local markets. Whether making bread, fermenting veggies, or
canning her latest batch of jam, Erica uses Mason jars every day of the year.

GAIA ASHBURY

Gaia is one with the Earth, and she knows that making small choices can have a big
impact on our planet. This nature goddess reuses and re-purposes Mason jars so that
she can fall asleep peacefully knowing that her actions make a difference whether
as an on-the-go water bottle to eliminate plastic waste or as a way to minimize packaging and store bulk foods like grains and rice.

J.D. WYETH

J.D. has a passion for the nostalgic, from mixing up classic cocktails like the Sazerac in
his exposed brick apartment, to finding vintage treasures at the local open market.
His personal style and his choice in glassware are a harmonious mix of old meets
new, which is why Mason jars are ideal for storing perishable bar items, dispensing
simple syrup, and straining muddled herbs in spirited concoctions.

PRUE WEISENRAUM

For this minimalist, less isnt more, but better. Prues apartment, style, and existence
are based on simplicity. Her daily routines may seem superfluously neurotic to most,
but Prue swears by her very small collection of Mason jars that organize and
efficiently store her everyday needs like cotton balls and cotton swabs.

GERT GAHTZMUNEY

A grandmother with a mission, Gert doesnt pinch cheeks, but rather, penniesand
lots of them. To say that she buys in bulk is an exaggerated understatement if its
on sale, shes ready with Mason jars to fill and store in her cupboard. Her fat cat, Lola
Coupon, typically joins her at garage sales, flea markets, and blue light specials. An
avid extreme couponer, Gert knows how to stretch a dime to the max.

DO IT YOURSELF
Sauerkraut Cubits Organics
Tangy Giardiniera FARMCurious
2-Minute Mayo Faulk Farmstead
Mason Jar Lantern Fillmore Container
Dijon Vinaigrette Peeking Pines

REUSE
Fermenting City Folks Farm Shop
Reinvent the Milkman The Juicy Banana
31 Mason Jar Uses Keeper of the Home
Salt Shaker Top Peeking Pines

Green Goddess Dressing Mason Jars Company

REMEMBER
Cuppa Asian Soup Big Red Kitchen
Traditional Pickled Eggs Carlo Fuda
Homemade Throat Therapy Crazy Life as Mom
Bloody Mary Tradition Karen Rzepecki
Family Favorite Candied Nuts Mason Jars Company

ORGANIZE
1 Hour 3 Salads 6 Meals Big Red Kitchen
Pantry 101 Cubits Organics
Cupcake Liners & More Mason Jars Company
Garage Clean-Up Mason Jars Company
Counter-top Canisters Mason Jars Company

$AVE
Quick Healthy Breakfast Crazy Life As Mom
Saving Tomato Seeds Cubits Organics
Homemade Apple Sauce Mason Jars Company
Bulk Buys -- Mason Jars Company
Homemade Mouthwash Mason Jars Company

MASON JAR GIFT AND IDEA GUIDE

MASON JARS COMPANY, MAKERS OF RECAP

At Mason Jars Company, we believe there is A Cap for Every Jar, because there are just as many people in
the world as there are uses for Mason jars. Our passion for Mason jars inspires the development of new,
innovative products that transform these glass jars into endless possibilities. You can find a complete listing
of our products at MasonJars.com, as well as recipes, craft ideas, and our blog.

SPECIAL THANKS & ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

We would like to thank all of our fans and customers and to every contributor to this eBook.

CRAZY LIFE AS MOM