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How To: Make a Concrete Mason Jar Lid

by on Jun 22, 2016

Photo: by JoAnn Moser via MASON JAR NATION, courtesy of Cool Springs Press

Once again, I’m super psyched to be able to share the second of two projects from my recently released book, MASON JAR NATION (Cool Springs Press, 2016)! (For the first project, click here.) Like the hanging air plant planter, this project can also be found in the “Crafts” section of the book. UN-like the last how-to, this one ranks easy on the easy to hard scale. As I mentioned last time, because my publisher, Cool Springs, is so very accommodating, they’ve agreed to let me share the project in its entirety straight from the book. 

But first…why a concrete Mason jar lid? Because concrete is cool and they’re the perfect top to Mason jars used as canisters.

It’s the 19th century. Mechanical engineer William Ward wants to build his family a new home, but he is deathly afraid of fire. Such a fear isn’t unreasonable in a time when open flames are used for survival. Lighting, cooking, and heating coupled with combustibles that are commonplace in every household can make even the bravest among us skittish. But William Ward isn’t just any mechanical engineer. Oh, no. He is a forward-thinking mechanical engineer who knows a thing or two about concrete. With the help of friend and architect, Robert Mook, Ward builds a reinforced concrete home in Port Chester, NY. Completed in 1875, it is the first of its kind in the United States. 

The fire-proof home was first mockingly referred to as “Ward’s Folly” because of prognostications that it was just a matter of time before the house collapsed under its own weight. Still standing sound and looking much as it did when first constructed, today the building is known as “Ward’s Castle.” So much for the naysayers. 

Mr. Ward’s creation marked the turning point in the country for modern uses of concrete. From impenetrable facades to highly prized interior decor elements, such as flooring and countertops, concrete is everywhere. And now, it’s even topping a Mason jar. —From MASON JAR NATION, by JoAnn Moser, Cool Springs Press 2016

SUPPLIES:

  • An empty, plastic cylindrical container slightly larger than the jar band (an empty cake frosting container works perfectly)
  • Utility scissors or tin snips
  • Craft glue, such as E6000
  • 1 lid and band to fit the jar
  • Empty container in which to mix the concrete
  • Water
  • 1 cup of Portland cement
  • Cooking spray
  • A few pebbles for weight
  • 1 Mason jar with a regular-size opening

MAKING YOUR CONCRETE LID:

Cut down the edges of the frosting container so it’s approximately 2″ tall. This will become the mold for the concrete mix.

Glue the jar lid and band together with craft glue. Let dry.

In the other empty container, mix clean water to 1 cup of Portland cement until reaching the consistency stipulated on the product’s packaging. 

Concrete Mason Jar Lid Pouring Concrete
Photo: by JoAnn Moser via MASON JAR NATION, courtesy of Cool Springs Press

Spray cooking spray inside the mold. Fill the mold with approximately 1 of mixed concrete.

Concrete Mason Jar Lid in Concrete
Photo: by JoAnn Moser via MASON JAR NATION, courtesy of Cool Springs Press

Nestle the lid assembly into the mold, displacing the concrete. Stack pebbles inside the lid just until the band’s edge is equal to the top of the concrete.

After the concrete has cured, coax the entire part out of the mold, and twist the new lid onto the Mason jar. 

Concrete Mason Jar Lid for Pinterest
Photo: by JoAnn Moser via MASON JAR NATION, courtesy of Cool Springs Press

Feel free to share this tutorial from MASON JAR NATION on Pinterest!

If you love Mason jars, you just might want to see the other 49 more projects featured in MASON JAR NATION. You can order it today from Amazon or Barnes & Noble ($15). And to read more about my road to publication, check out this post right here on Curbly. 

MASON JAR NATION cover
Image: Courtesy of Cool Springs Press

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