The Pony( Bead )Express

Often I have been asked, "Elizabeth, how do you make those really amazing  jelly jars"?!! I'm making that up; nobody asks me that ever, but I,m going to tell you anyway.  They are amazingly easy and can fill up a mini pantry or cupboard in record time.  So Let's Get Started....  Above is a plastic pony bead which are found at the thrift store, (Yay) or at or in the craft section of places like Michael"s or Wal-Mart.  You need to get the ones that look like a jam or jelly. This one could be strawberry or raspberry.

Then you need these metal paper fasteners.  These are available at craft, office supply, dollar stores....you get the idea.  I am showing 2 different styles with the gold toned ones being the most readily available and the black ones more pricey and at specialty craft stores.  

Here they are again, along with my rather dry fingers! ( Now, where  did I leave my hand  creme???)

The fastener has to fit the pony bead.   Don't worry about the tails, they will be cut off, but the head of the fastener needs to look like a jar lid. 

This is Quick-Grip an this is what I have been using lately for a number of different  projects.  It sets up super quick, so you have to be READY to apply from the tube and then cap it A.S.A.P. as it doesn't know when to stop, and will just keep oozing out and then it is wasted.  Don't bother trying to dispense it into a container to work from because it dries up too fast and it will get on your nerves trying to replenish it.  Take it from me, it is easier to use it directly from the tube.  I put the glue onto the pony bead and then turned it upside down onto the metal lid, then I adjusted as needed so the lid was centered.

This is the jar with the lid waiting for the next step:  THE LABEL!

Labels are fun and I love them and I have files of all different kinds that I find in  magazines and store flyers and if the label is right I photocopy it and shrink it down and make duplicates and then cut them out and then make sure they will fit the jar they are to go on.  This one is from 'Bonne Maman' a really DELICIOUS  jam that I personally love and I think you will too!  I was not paid to say that, either.

Ahh, here's my baby.  I LOVE this glue for paper, and I glued the label on with it.  I use it because  will dry flat and  if you brush it onto the surface it will dry MATTE.  Some sealers 'say' that they are matte but they lie, they are shiny, shiny, shiny!  This guy is a 'No Lie Guy'.   I want shine for some projects  but mostly I want the paper to dry flat and that is why I use this.  I buy it at Michael's and it is Not cheap but worth it if you are hanging wallpaper in your doll's house and you want it smooth and not all wet and wrinkly. I give it 2 thumbs Waaay Up!

Once again my very dry skin, (this time also coated with Quick- Grip glue) showing the labeled jam/jelly jar.  Once the label is dry we are ready for the next step.  ADDING
SHINE.  After all that fuss about Matte, what's the matter with me?  

I have wrapped some blue-tack to the end of a toothpick and  stuck the jar on top so that it is easier to add the gloss.  I've tried the TRIPLE THICK and CLEAR NAIL POLISH and the winner is .....

The clear winner is NAIL POLISH as it dries fast and comes with its own brush.  Plus, it is easier to APPLY SEVERAL COATS to get the 'glass' effect which is what you want. This was bought at the $1 store for $2.15.  The price is right!

This picture is out of order!  I cut the tails off of the fastener  photos earlier!  But now you see what I cut them off with.  These snipers cut close to the source and I use these regularly.  I bought them from Michael's in the bead section.

NOW, what am I doing? Wiping down the jar?  No, I  am sizing up a 'hat' for my little friend; "yes, green is definitely your color". I cut a 3/4'" square for this jar of marmalade. This shows a variation of the jelly jars, kicking it up a notch.

Just before I took this shot I gave the lid an application of  'QUICK-GRIP' glue.  I made sure the entire black cap was covered lightly in glue to ensure the fabric would stick and stay down.  You could use fabric glue but the Q-G is faster.

I'm using beading wire to tie the cloth lid onto the jar snugly.  I've no idea  what gage this is but it is very fine.  I needed to double it up to enable me to twist tighten it around the base of the jar lid.

Here is the wire thread single...

and here it is doubled up.  TIP: to keep the wire from shifting, add a tiny bit of  QUICK-GRIP glue to the "U" inside the wire.  Then it will allow you to tighten up the wire around the cloth hat as seen below.

Looks like a U.F.O.

Ahhh, that's looks better!  This is nearly finished.  I did add a clear acetate disk that I punched out with a circle cutter the same diameter as the pony bead and glued it to the base of the bead with what, you ask?........Yes,..you guessed it, QUICK-GRIP glue.  I trimmed the fabric with embroidery scissors and then of course, cut off the excess wire.

And finally, we come to the end.  I have assembled a group of jelly jars and honey jars and jars with creme, just to show how different sizes of pony beads and paper fasteners can accommodate a variety of applications.  I hope that you have enjoyed my first photo tutorial because I have often been asked about how I make these really AMAZING  jelly jars.... Now you know.  Have fun!

elizabeth