I am a hoarder    collector    saver reuser of items.  I was doing it long before it became fashionably “green” to reduce, reuse, recycle.  I blame credit my mother and grandmother who never lost some of the depression era frugality (there was always a can of used cooking grease/lard in the house).

I “acquire” things (sometimes in quantity) and hold onto them (sometimes for too long) because you never know when you might need them.

Take the few dozen or so old mason jars that I decided to pick up from a FreeCycler……2 years ago (or was it 3).  They’re old and the kind with glass tops and metal clips to hold the jars.  I knew that there was a use for these jars – somehow, somewhere.  I used part of them for a 4H project where the kids made stained glass jars.  Last December I used another few to make magical lanterns for my daughter’s fairy birthday party.

This week our agenda for science (a unit on rocks/gems/minerals) called for an experiment in growing crystals.  I needed 10 small glass dishes like petri dishes (oh sure, I happen to have that handy, or can run to the corner store where I can snag a few cheaply).  What can I use that I have?  Think think think.   Off  I go to my office/sewing room/craft room/junk room.  And VOILA!  it hits me: don’t I have some of those jars left?  I bet that I do!

Move the box of ceramic tiles (waiting for an inspiration), the box of fabric dyes (I used them to make fairy wings out of sheer curtains last year), the box of silk flowers without stems and there – yep, there it is – glass jars!

So they’re not small shallow glass jars but they’re glass jars that will hold liquid.  Who cares that some of them have butterfly stickers still attached from the fairy party – it won’t affect crystals growing.

WOO HOO! We now have 10 clear glass containers in which to grow crystals and it didn’t cost me one single penny.  Good thing I’m a hoarder    collector   saver savvy and frugal homeschool mom!