I’m a huge fan of sending positive messages around. These “inspiration/message” jars have been all over Tumblr and Pinterest, so I’d thought I’d share with you how I made mine. I love these for when you feel down and need a boost of positivity. If you didn’t know already, they are just a jar full of inspirational quotes or sayings to choose from and use to inspire you. Simply pick a strip out of the jar, just like you would with a hat. “A message a day, keeps the sadness away.” And there you go, your own inspiration jar!

Ready to make one?

All you’ll need is a jar (mine is a mason jar from Jo-Ann for a dollar), pretty paper (mine is double sided), and a chalkboard label and chalk if you’d like. There’s a bottle of glitter pictured, but I highly suggest you don’t use any unless you want to spend an hour cleaning up. Ask me how I know (sarcasm intended). (But if you’re seriously wondering though, I sprinked some into my jar so whenever I picked a strip out, some glitter would come with it just for fun and adds a little punch. Not a bad idea, just how glitter can be so annoying and likes to go everywhere. If you can make it work, props to you!)

Tip- When you go and get the chalkboard labels, don’t get the fancy chalk that’s from the same brand. The labels are pretty inexpensive ($1.50 for 12), but the chalk runs around $9 for a pack of 6 I believe. Don’t get them. Instead, go walk yourself over to the kid’s “Crayola” section and get yourself a pack of 12 for a dollar. Trust me, no one is ever going to know that you didn’t buy the “nicer” stuff.

I first stuck on my label and wrote “inspa jar” with a piece of chalk to the lid of the jar. “Inspa” stands for inspiration, since I couldn’t fit the entire word on there. Pretty self explanatory? It took me a bunch of tries to get the writing the way I wanted it to look; chalk handles differently than pencil I suppose. If you don’t want the writing to rub off, you can seal it with a clear sealant. Beware though, when I tried doing this, the chalk just washed away and I had to start over on a new label (since you can’t write over the seal), so make sure the spray you’re using is ok to use with chalk.

Then cut your paper up into strips. Pick a few quotes and sayings you like and write them on! Since the back of my paper was black, I used a white gel pen to write and I think it turned out pretty cool! Need some help picking out your messages?

Here are a few to get you started:

-Whatever you are, be a good one.
-Do what you love to do.
-Be with someone who brings out the best in you.
-Happiness is ours.
-You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough -Mae West
-Don’t do it tomorrow, do it today.
-Be yourself. Everyone else is already taken. -Oscar Wilde
-When life gives you lemons, squirt someone in the eye. -Cathy Gulsewite
-To live will be an awfully big adventure.
-Be gentle and kind, for everyone is righting a battle you know nothing about.
-Forget the rules, if you like it, wear it.
-In order to be irreplaceable, one must always be different.
-Life isn’t about finding yourself, it’s about creating YOU.
-We cannot direct the wind but we can adjust the sails.
-Life is like riding a bicycle, in order to keep your balance, you must keep moving.
-You’re the fairest of them all.
-I will be grateful for this day.
-Live your life. Take chances. Don’t wait. Because this is the oldest you’ve ever been and the youngest you’ll ever be again.
-Take the time to appreciate what you have.
-A smile is the best makeup any girl could ever wear.
-Life isn’t about  aiting for the storm to pass, it’s about dancing in the rain.
-Start the day off with positive vibes.
-You decide who your are, not society.
-Accept no one’s definition of your life; define yourself.
-Why are you trying so hard to fit in when you were born to stand out?
-Life is too short to be anything but happy.
-Enjoy the little things in life for someday you will realize they were the big things.
-Good friends are like stars, you don’t always see them but you know they’re always there.
-Imperfection is beauty. Madness is genius. And it’s better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring.
-Dance like no one is watching, sing like no one is listening and live each day like it’s your last.

When you’re done, just roll them all up and stuff them into the jar. Screw the lid on and you’re done! Add any sort of decoration you’d like to add personality and to pretty-up your jar. I just stuck on a line of blue washi tape around the rim.

These would make great gifts; you could tailor your messages towards the person, or let someone pick out their “fortune” by choosing a strip out of your jar. I plan to just give the strips all away as “fortunes”, letting people pick one each time they meet me (mostly because I have all of these quotes memorized already lol). Or you could make one as a room decor piece with crazy printed paper. It’s a pretty fun concept, and your message could just brighten someone’s day! Hope you guys enjoyed this DIY!

PS- A “fall favorites” is coming tomorrow. Be sure to check back here to read that post! ♡

XX,