I am embarrassed to admit that when I finished making these Lupine exclaimed, "Mama, these are awesome! You HAVE to pin this!" Oh my. I've created a monster.
But really, I think she's right. So first I'm blogging them and then, yes, I'm going to pin the heck out of these just-about-free cups. Because we're crazy about them.
So stand back! Here goes.
Tonight we were heading out to cut our holiday tree. But our travel cups are missing. (Still packed from the move, lost in a box in the barn somewhere.) And frankly, our straw cups didn't stand up the the abuses of daily life like we had hoped. All of the plastic and silicone parts have started to break or tear. Bummer.
But we're handy people.
So I grabbed a couple of mason jars, some canning lids, and a my cordless drill. The missing straw cups were replaced (forever!) in a hurry.
Because yes, with almost no assistance I made BPA-free travel cups in about 3 mintues. You have no idea how satisfying that is right now. It's nearly bliss.
I choose Tattler lids, but you could also use a standard metal canning jar lid. (Why did I choose plastic? Normally I scorn the stuff but it feels like a much safer choice than the BPA lined metal lids that also dwell in my pantry. I have been using Tattler lids for my canning for the past two years and frankly I trust them more than I do the BPA-lined lids.)
These would be the perfect bedside bottle too to keep your kids night-time drink from steeping in plastic.
Want to make one? I knew you would.
So here's the skinny.
Supplies
1 mason jar with two-piece lid (standard canning jar type)
1 stainless steel drinking straw (I picked mine up here)
Cordless drill and suitably sized bit to make a hole the size of your straw
Optional teeny-tiny drill bit for air hole
How To
1. Find a bit the size of your straw (or a smidge bigger, at most). To find the right size for mine I slipped my straw into my bit holder. It just fit into the 15/64".
2. Drill a hole off-set towards the edge of your lid. If you are going to occasionally use the lid without the straw, place the hole closer to the edge than I did. (Just inside the gasket.)
If desired, use your smallest bit to add an air hole. We made ours both ways and I prefer the air hole but it isn't necessary. You have to suck pretty hard on the straw without it, but it will be less likely to leak if you leave it off. It's really up to you. We made four cups in all and Pete opted out of the air hole, the rest of us went for it. (But maybe that was just because I let the kids drill their own.)
And voila! Instant straw cups. I've been using mine all day without the straw in and it works great as a lidded travel cup this way. Versitle! Double awesome.
(Please ignore the boxes.)
Use your stash yarn to knit a mason jar cozy and you've got a sweet Solstice gift for pennies.
So that's it. Now go make stuff!
Love,
Rachel
Edited to add: I loved this project so much I made a zillion of them for my business. If you would rather buy than make, the go here! They're pretty fabulous.
Brilliant!
I love this idea! I have never heard of Tattler lids but will check them out now as well as the stainless steel straws… I was gifted a Cuppow earlier this year and I love it. Makes your mason jar like a sippy cup for adults…or kiddos too. So awesome. http://cuppow.com/
DYO straw cups (drill your own). I love your ingenuity!
Great idea! Do you think there is any benefit to adding a crimp thingy around the hole? That’s what one of our local vendors uses at our market, maybe they’re just making the hole with a grommet maker?
*love*
I saw straw cups from mason jars…somewhere (maybe on Pinterest?)…and saw someone selling them on etsy – I like the idea of making my own so much more, and I dig a good tutorial. So thanks! xo
Love it! 🙂
I think if you size the hole properly and don’t mind having to wiggle the straw in after you wash it there isn’t a clear advantage. Except, perhaps that it looks cooler than mine? 🙂
Oh my goodness! I LOVE these! I was just contemplating buying some of those Cuppow thingies for our mason jars, but they are made of plastic, and I am a committed freak about keeping plastic away from food and drink whenever possible. But our stainless steel sippy cups are getting a little too baby-ish for my five year old, and it’s past time to upgrade to a bigger-kid cool cup. This is PERFECT! I’m making these immediately! THANK YOU for the awesome idea! xo
Thats it. Now go make stuff!! I LOVE that you said that Rachel. I think I will.
Dude! So pinning this!
Necessity is the mother of invention! Great discovery.
Oh, yours is plenty cool. Ordering straws for stockings now!
This is sooo funny to me, because my husband DIYed exactly that this past week, but using a little jam jar. I know he doesn’t read your blog or go on Pinterest, so it must have been out of his own brain. I didn’t think to pin his creation, though, so I’ll pin yours! 🙂
I love this and I love Lupine’s facial expressions in the pics 🙂
Fun idea! We’re springing for glass straws as one of about 3 gifts this year. Just what will thrill them! I wanted to make sure you’ve seen http://www.amazon.com/Improv-Sewing-Freeform-Techniques-Accessories/dp/1603427406/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1355255509&sr=8-1&keywords=improv+sewing It is your kind of sewing. Fun ideas and lots of good info without too many rules.
what a great idea! i saw them on etsy and thought it was a very useful diy – so glad to see it in action.
i remember reading that old mason jars may well have lead oxide in them, or other varieties of lead and might not be best for actually using for food or drink. we’ve learned a lot about lead as we live in a 100 year old home here, and it scares me a lot. just thought i’d pass that along. hope you guys feel better soon!
Do you use the rubber rings that come with the Tatter lids, or do you not need them?
We do use the rings to prevent leaks. They can be a bit fussy to put in, but I found it they are wet they stick inside of the lid and seat properly.