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How to Make Garden Treasure Jars

Published on June 10, 2019Last updated October 23, 2021 โ™› By Melissa J. Will

This post contains affiliate links.
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Turn old jars into garden treasure jars by covering them in glass gems from the dollar store. They sparkle in the sun and, with votive lights inside, add a warm glow to the evening garden.

You can also make decorative garden art balls using the same materials.

Garden treasure jars made with glass gems.

Turn Jars into Garden Art

Garden art treasure jar with glass gems.

I started making these luminaries (which we call garden treasure jars) when my kids were little.

Made from used food jars, you can decorate them with glass gems (flat-bottom marbles) and place them in the garden. Tiny toys and secret notes can be hidden insideโ€”like little time capsules in your garden.

Glass garden art projects like this one look really beautiful outdoors with the sunlight shining through. You can also add little solar lights or votive lights to have them glow in the evenings as well.

The small size of the jars makes this a quick and easy craft for kids with adult supervision.

Be sure to read the instructions so you know the glue that really works!


Garden supplies purchased at a dollar store including seed packets and a bird bath liner.

Related: 10 Surprisingly Good Dollar Store Finds for Gardeners.


Before You Start

Garden treasure jars in garden
Garden treasure jars in garden

Before You Start

Read over the instructions and material list and use your judgement whether this project would be suitable for your kids.

Have an adult handle the silicone sealant/adhesive โ€“ read the product label carefully and follow all manufacturer instructions for safety, application, and drying times.

I specifically recommend this brand of silicone sealant (Amazon) to use as an adhesive because it works.

If you substitute for another product, your glass gems may not stick to the jars or will fall off laterโ€”research your glue first!

Ideas

Green and blue garden treasure jars
Garden treasure jars in blues and green

You might want to make a whole bunch of these at once. They would look fabulous lining a garden path or surrounding an outdoor patio.

Pick a color theme for the glass gems or mix it up like the colors in a flower garden.

You could also use them as indoor or outdoor votive candle holders (use solar tealight candles) or a place to store small items.

How to Make Treasure Jars

Gluing glass gems on jar
Add the glass gems from the bottom up

Materials

Glass gems and flat marbles for crafts.
Flat bottom glass gems
Silicone sealant.
Silicone sealant
  • Used glass jars with lids
  • Flat-bottom marbles (see them at Amazon.com) also called glass gems. A 4-inch-tall jar needs approximately 75 half-inch flat-bottom marbles.
  • GE II Silicone Sealant (clear, waterproof-buy the stuff made for either gutters and flashing or windows and doors. If you are new to using silicone sealant as an adhesive, read these tips first.
  • Solar tealight votive candles
  • If you want to stand them in the gardenโ€”Wooden post or dowel and ยผโ€ wood screw or Copper pipe and end cap (see one at Amazon.com).

Tip: Save Small Marbles For Gaps

Thereโ€™s often a few smaller-sized marbles in each bag. Set these aside and use them to fill in any odd-size gaps as you work.

Steps

  1. Place the jar upside-down, so the lid/opening is on the table. Cover the sides of the jar with silicone sealant. I do the bottom of the jar last so I can put my fingers there to steady the jar while applying marbles to the sides. Sealant washes off hands with soap and water.
  2. Attach flat-bottom marbles to the jar, working in circles from bottom to top, leaving room for the lid to open and close.

    Itโ€™s important to work from the bottom up so each round of marbles rests on the row below. This way they wonโ€™t slide around while the silicone sealant is drying.
  3. Last, cover the jar bottom with silicone sealant and attach the rest of the marbles.
  4. Allow to dry.
DIY Garden Treasure Jars
Garden treasure jars with treasures hidden inside

To Mount The Jar On A Post

  1. Punch a small hole in the jar lid. I used an awl and a hammer for this.
  2. Attach the lid to the top of the wood post with a wood screw. OR glue a copper pipe cap to the outside of the jar lid, allow to dry, and place on copper pipe.
Jar lid mounted on post
Use the lid to mount the jar on a post

The jar screws onto the lid on the post:

How to make garden treasure jars
Jar attaches to lid

But wait!

Be sure to hide a note and a treasure inside the jar.

Garden treasure jar with note and trinket hidden inside
Be sure to hide something fun inside

Attach the jar to the lid on the post. If your kids are rascals like mine, you might even find out later that the treasures have been switched out for something you werenโ€™t expecting.

And, if you want to light them up at night, add some solar-powered votives!

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More Projects

Garden art frog prince with crown; made from glass gems.
Frog Prince
Homemade garden art ball with pastel-colored glass gems.
Garden Ball
  • Make a Glass Gem Frog Prince
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~Melissa the Empress of Dirt โ™›

Garden art treasure jar with glass gems.
Print Instructions Pin It
5 from 2 votes

How to Make Garden Luminaries (Treasure Jars)

Step-by-step instructions for decorating a glass jar with marbles (glass gems) to create a garden luminary.
Total Time1 hour hr 30 minutes mins
Author: Melissa J. Will
Cost: $20

Equipment

  • Silicone Sealant
  • Solar tealight votive candle

Supplies & Materials

  • 1 Jar
  • 100 Flat marbles

Instructions

  • With jar upside-down, start just below lip of jar. Add dabs of adhesive to backs of flat marbles and firmly attach in place.
    1 Jar
  • Work in circles, adding new marbles as row below dries in place. Allow time to dry per instructions on product label.
    100 Flat marbles
  • Attach jar lid to wood post using wood screw. Set votive in place and twist jar in place.
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Garden art treasure jar with glass gems.
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Melissa J. Will - Empress of DirtWelcome!
I’m Melissa J. Will a.k.a. the Empress of Dirt (Ontario, Canada).
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