Recently, I needed to measure a cup of paint for a project but didn’t want to use the ones I use for food.  So I made my own measuring cup with a recycled glass jar.

This project might also make a nice gift for a bachelor or an eco-minded friend setting up their first kitchen.

Supplies:

glass jar, sharpie markers (1 thin tip & 1 broad tip), measuring cups, water, tape.

*Make sure to use liquid measuring cups as they are calibrated slightly different than dry measuring cups.  My photo shows measuring cups for dry ingredients—sorry!*

Instructions:

1.  Clean your glass jar, inside & out.  To remove excess adhesive, scrub it with a Brillo pad.

2.  Decide what measurements you want on the jar.  I used 1/4, 1/3, 1/2, 3/4, 2/3, and 1 cup.  You may want more or less measurements depending on what you’ll use the jar for.

3.  For each measurement, fill your measuring cups with the corresponding amount of water.  Carefully pour the water into your glass jar.

4.  Use a piece of tape to mark the top of the water mark.  Make sure your tape is level and that you’re at eye-level to the water when making your mark.  Now dump out the water and repeat this step to confirm your first measurement was accurate…it’s the idea of “measuring twice & cutting once”.

5.  Use your Sharpie marker to draw a line at the tape edge.  I used the thin-tipped marker first but then decided to make it thicker with the broad-tipped marker.  Then write which measurement line it is, such as 1/4 for the 1/4 cup measurement.

6.  That’s it for necessities.  You could use a spray sealant over the marker lines to protect them from scratching off.  You could also write a message on it if it’s for a gift.