Apothecary Four Ways

 

Tarnished german glitter glass is a lovely foil for the beautiful vintage jars.

Tarnished German glitter glass is a lovely foil for the beautiful vintage jars.

My inspiration for this article was a monogrammed handkerchief from my grandmother, Mary Keifer.  I have had it for years, but it sits in a drawer and that seems not to honor her.  And in a moment, I had this thought that I could tie it around one of my many apothecary jars, kind of like a vintage label with the “K” monogram on the front.  I really couldn’t think of a better vessel to display her lovely little gift to me.  Vintage with vintage.   And it is in a spot in my house that I see every day and in doing so, smile at her life and her memory.

As I was arranging the handkerchief around the bottle, it reminded me of all the other ways I use vintage apothecary jars, so I thought I would share them with you.

I hope you find some inspiration.

Always,

Cindy

A wide mouth apothecary jar holds lovely scented votive candles.

#1:  A wide mouth (for filling and grabbing) apothecary jar holds lovely scented votive candles.

 

 

Elevate a vintage jar by setting it in a vintage matte white pottery piece.

#2: Elevate a vintage jar by setting it in a vintage matte white pottery piece.

VIntage Handkerchief as a label of sorts.

#3: Vintage Handkerchief as a label of sorts.

An homage to Grandma Kiefer

An homage to Grandma Kiefer

A variety of vintage jars collected from all over next to a vintage reproduction clock.

A variety of vintage jars collected from all over next to a vintage reproduction clock.

 

A lovely little apothecary jar found for $2 now holds make up remover in the most lovely way.

#4: A lovely little apothecary jar found for $2 now holds make up remover in the most lovely way.

Vintage lamp, a variety of jars used in a number of ways, old bathroom mirror agains a crisp white back drop make for a lovely vignette.

Vintage lamp, a variety of jars used in a number of ways, old bathroom mirror agains a crisp white back drop make for a lovely vignette.

 This blog article is in honor of my Grandma Kiefer, who I miss dearly.

My dad's mother, Grandma Kiefer.

My dad’s mother, Grandma Kiefer.

 

 

 

 

 

Spicing It Up With Old and New Lab Jars

 

Lovely kraft paper labels to add some vintage style.

I used to store my spices in small round tins with vintage labels.  That worked for a while, but at some point I decided I wanted glass jars.  Searching high and low in the Internet, I finally found the ones I wanted at a lab supply warehouse.  As I was jumping around their website, I came across amber etched stopper bottles and decided they would be great as vessels to hold and preserve my extracts.

Using a mixture of old apothecary jars, vintage squat jelly jars, new amber jars, larger tins and clear, straight sided jars, I was able to store each kind of item conveniently along with adding visual interest that variety brings.

I built the shelves for these items to fit the space.  The spice shelf was built to be inset in a window that is permanently sealed shut that is in exactly the right spot to be able to grab and go anywhere in the kitchen.

I hope you find some inspiration.

xoxo.

Cindy

Old and new jars to hold each kind of item.

Inset in a sealed window that is easy to display and convenient to access.

 

Old apothecary jars to hold larger quantities.

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Antique and Vintage Glass

 

Etched Stoppers.

 

It is always nice when you find antique and vintage items that not only have charm and character, but are also completely functional.  Vintage and antique glass is just such an item that finds itself right at home for today’s living, even though many pieces are decades old and made for another time, another sensibility and another way of life.

Thank you to my good friend, Vince at Good Look, Inc..  He has been a great source for some my most recent vintage glass finds! Please stop by his store or visit him on facebook.  He has such great taste and style and finds so many interesting things!

Here are several pieces of my personal collection.  Enjoy!

Always,

Cindy

From my grandmother.  Makes me smile to think about her.

Beautiful Silhouettes.

 

Collection of Vintage Glass Apothecary Jars in a variety of shapes and sizes.

Beautiful etched pattern to hold bathroom items like make up remover, cotton balls and scented body powder.

 

Vintage Bail Wire bottles, mason jars and a vintage apothecary jar to hold lavender linen water.

I love the small scale of this vintage lab beaker; makes it fun to use.

Vintage Glass to hold all the cooking essentials: salt, pepper, vinegars and oils.

Vintage Compote.