This past weekend I stumbled upon a treasure trove of vintage Jell-o molds at an antique store liquidation sale. They were asking $3 each for them, but after some negotiations I got them way, way, WAY down from that price and brought home the entire lot of 40 (FORTY!) Jell-O molds. I also got them to throw in a bag full of old zinc canning jar lids. Score! When I got them home I found some of the molds say “Jiffy Jell” which I learned was the precursor to Jell-O that began in 1916! Another mold simply said “Made in England, Nutbrown” I have no idea what these might be worth (probably nothing), but they came with the lot, so I was excited to get them.
I racked my brain with ideas on how to repurpose these little aluminum goodies. Since I could picture them in so many different scenarios I knew I could never narrow it down to just one idea. I decided to dedicate this post to decorating with vintage Jell-O molds for all four seasons.
Since it’s nearly here, let’s start with summertime.
These little molds remind me of making sand castles on the beach and they look a little bit like clam shells, so here is a cute vignette with mini-starfish and a pretty blue Ball jar. Easy breezy.
Squish two Jell-O molds together and you know what you get? A cute little pumpkin shape! Perfect for an autumnal arrangement.
Stack layers of different shaped molds into a Christmas tree shape for winter sideboard scene. The pointy tree toppers? Those would a pair of vintage salt and pepper shaker lids.
And finally, spring! An upside down mold forms the base for another mold to be a pretty egg cup. Fill the cup with reindeer moss and purple pansies and hydrangeas for a happy springtime scene.
I still have a ton of great ideas to decorate with these cute little guys, but that is a pretty great start!
Tell me–What would you do with them? What items are you always on the lookout for when you go to antique and thrift stores?
Great find Beth – I would have been excited too! I have been wanting some zinc canning jar lids 🙂
My mind might breeze right past Spring decorating, but it is always focused on Fall. I see these molds from time to time and wonder too what I could do with them. Now…. I gotta have some for silver pumpkins.
Bliss
I have some like the ones shown as well as a couple of larger ones. Seeing
your last picture with the moss made me think this might be just the thing
for me to use in a grouping on my porch for some succulents. I keep pinning
ideas with succulents and think these would be fun on an old tray with the
larger molds and smaller ones with a moss base and a bird’s nest I’ve saved.
Thanks for the inspiration.
What a SCORE and you’ve come up with some clever ideas to use the molds in decorating. I have no idea of their worth but it’s worth researching. I’m sure there must be people who collect them.
Wow!!! That’s one of those scores of a lifetime! FORTY?! I’m a wee bit jealous.
Is it wrong that when I first saw the top picture, I immediately starting thinking about putting plants in them? I do love me some random planted objects. :o)
I love how you repurposed these! What a great find. Super jealous. And you have mad negotiating skills 🙂
LOVE love love love! You are so creative!
I have never seen these molds before (besides the Tupperware ones), but you made them so pretty the way you photographed them! Now, I think I need some 🙂
Saw those on instagram and was curious about what you would do with them. So many ideas, you’re amazing! I especially love the pumpkin idea!
I adore your collection – score!!!!!
Such a neat find!
I am anxious to see what else you can do with these!
Have a great weekend!
I love these molds! I have used them: to make pin cushions, to make Christmas decor (filled with kosher salt for snow and bottle brush trees), jewerly containers, craft supply containers, potpourri containers etc. What a lucky find!
Would you sell some of them?
I would like to buy some to use for soap making
Deanna
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My mother used the metal jello cups as scoops in the flour and sugar .I use them as rice molds for presentation on plate ( spray with pam first)