Spring time brings open streams and anglers together.  The season isn't open in Ontario yet but I thought a little inspiration was in order.  Enjoy some pictures a of little window installation I did in Bayfield for Edward Jones.  It will be there until late June when we shift it up for summer fun.  If you are walking along Main Street in the Village, try and spot the window.

I have to say it.
I simply cannot keep it inside any longer.
It is about THE jar.

We all love the jars.  No doubt about it.
BUT it is time we have a chat about THE jar.  Here is are some FAQs about the jars.

It is just a jar, isn't it?

Well, yes and no.  I wrote about the jars in 2010 on the blog.  At the time I was much more forgiving about calling all jars mason jars.     Now it is has been over a year or so and I have come to have an appreciation for each jar.   People generally refer to canning jars as the MASON JAR.  MASON is a type of sealing closure for canning jars and also the name of some canning jars.  MASONS were produced by BALL (confusing, huh?).   Plus some of my very savvy couples are making specific requests for KERR, BALL or CROWN or ATLAS or GEM.   

If you ask for a blue (some say green) jar, well that would usually be a BALL jar that you want.  We will talk more about that later. 

When should I use brand new jars?

It is inexpensive to buy a dozen canning jars at the grocery store or big box retailer these days.  Heck, I do it every year when I make jams and pickle all sorts of goodies from my garden.  A box of 12 new jars costs about $7.  There are party uses that are specific to new jars.  They are a good choice for DIY projects like wrapping them in lace or twine.  

Also a good idea to use new jars for guest gifts that include food; jam, honey, candy and cookie mix.   

Jars are also trending high for signature drinks.  Again, this is where you would use brand new jars because a) you need a lot of jars on ice to serve guests  b) it doesn't matter if these jars are taken home or lost and c) washing them afterwards in the dishwasher is much faster than hand washing.  

When should I rent vintage jars?

When it comes to table centre pieces and other arrangements or candle light in the venue, I would highly recommend going with a true VINTAGE canning jar (it goes without saying that I am bias).  It all comes down to the look of the jar.  True vintage jars look great on their own as a single arrangement or as a collection to create a centre piece.  When you put candles in them, they glow differently.  The bubbles and imperfections in the glass give a true vintage glow.  

The difference is subtle but it is there.

The entire inventory of jars at Hazlitt Vintage Rental are true vintage jars.  The collection was created in the 1960s and 1970s.  We have clear jars and blue Ball jars.  We have small, medium and large jars.  We have over 200 jars!   

You know we prefer to prepare custom quotes but I'll let you in on our jar pricing.  Our jars range in price from $3 each to $5 each, depending on size, quantity or a specific brand and any extras you might need (i.e. a piece of twine wrapped around the top, a wire handle for hanging in the trees, etc)

A Fake?

It has come to my attention that there are some rental companies passing off new jars as vintage jars.  This makes a difference to some renters.  If it does make a difference to you, make sure you ASK!  Do your homework.  There should be a significant rental price difference too.  Remember it costs $7 for a box 12 jars.    This is the look you would get with NEW jars. 

Should I collect my own jars?

If you LOVE jars, I mean REALLY LOVE them AND you have the time to collect AND the space to display your collection AND the extra cash to buy them, please follow your passion.  Start collecting.  It is a great hobby and fun too.    

Spring is here and so are the flea markets and antique shows.  I'll give you some tips for buying jars.  

1) Check whether it is a fake or not:  Glass should have bubbles and imperfections in it.  Ask it the jar colour has been enhanced.  Ball jars are the ones that are predominately blue (they made clear ones too).  Hand dying jars is popular right not, so make sure you are buying true vintage.

2)  Buy with the lids and rubber sealers.  It is more valuable as a collector to have the entire jar.

3)  Price.  Some jars are very unique, others not so much.   Do some research on the web before you go.  


4)  Take a box with you to carry home your purchases.  Jars don't survive well in bags, so bring along some extra tissue and a box for packaging.

Is the music putting you in the mood for some #Draper?  

Some of us are most excited about Sunday March 25th.  Don Draper, Betty Francis and the rest of the characters will be back on AMC gracing us with witty dialogue, a plethora of props from the '60s that we will all swoon over, ladies in fab dresses, gentlemen(?) in tailored suits and of course, Canadian Club.

In celebration of the upcoming premiere, the Mad Men web site is encouraging fans to host themed parties and they posted a fantastic party guide.   Needless to say there are many cocktail recipes plus 60s inspired menus, music and more.  I love the character masks that can be printed although I can't say that I will be wearing one that night.

I suspect you have already figured out how to host the ultimate cocktail party or office party a la Mad Men.  BUT, there is so much more to Mad Men than cocktails and pigs-in-a-blanket.  Lets not wait for the evening party though,  why not start earlier in the day with a picnic.  (You all know I love a good picnic!)

There is nothing easier than setting out some quilts with wicker picnic baskets, a plaid thermos and grillin' some hot dogs.  Add some devilled eggs and tuna-filled cherry tomatoes and you have a swinging '60s picnic.  Add in some fun lawn games like lawn darts (they weren't outlawed then), potato sack races and three-legged races.  Play rummy while downing a cold beer.  

Throw on some clam diggers and ballet flats with a pretty sweater set. You could wear a dress, add an apron and some cat-eye sunglasses for that 'oh its nothing to make devilled eggs and still look this great' type of look.

Pop over to the HVR Facebook page.  I shared a video from a Mad Men inspired wedding shoot.  This is also a fun site for '50s / early '60s wedding inspiration:   http://fiftieswedding.com/ 

And don't think for a minute that I would forget to post a picture of HIM.  May all your Don Draper (or Betty) dreams come true on Sunday night.

Last October, Style Me Pretty featured a pretty garden party for a new bride and her bridesmaids that took place in the pretty little village of Bayfield.  The weather has me feeling very happy and yearning for bright colours.  So lets take a look back together.   I hope seeing these lovely gals celebrating a friend's engagement will bring a smile to your face.  

Photography: Rob Boyce of Your Life In Stills / Fascinators: Buds and Blooms / Hair & Make-up:   Courtney Henry of Freestylin' Artistry  / Linen Rentals: NJS Design / Flowers: Luann’s Flowers & Gifts / Dresses: Something Irresistible / Venue: The Red Pump 

Pinch me.  I think I must be living in southern Cal.  I spotted our first daffodil bloom this morning.  On March 19th!  That is about 6 weeks early for this area.  This weather inspired me to delve into the shop and pull out some of the goodies I collected over the winter.  I'll add them to the inventory this week but for now take a look.

This spring I will work at taking photos of all the jars in the collection.  So far, we have black bottles and wire top jars.  The clear and blue canning jars show the various sizes available.  Quantities will be posted in inventory.  Same goes for the spools and bobbins shown below.  Quantities on the site soon.

I haven't forgotten about my Mad Men post, rather I just I got side-tracked.  It will come later this week.

Looking ahead, I will have some newly upholstered iron chairs and dining chairs coming into stock.  Plus a settee that I can't wait to show you and my tuxedo chair.  The upholsterer took a much needed vacation but she is back in the shop now.  Hoping by the end of April I will be able to post those goodies.

Also in the next couple of weeks, the rewired chandeliers will be posted into the inventory.  

I couldn't be happier for this couple.  Jen and Luke are a wonderful couple with so many adventures.  Imagine planning a London Ontario wedding all the way from Hong Kong.  The time change alone poses challenges for booking flowers, photographers and more.  

Their story is featured today on Style Me Pretty Canada.  Take a look, it is absolutely beautiful and the finer DIY touches will make your heart smile.

Congratulations Jen & Luke.  Glad to hear the adventure is continuing.