Turn old jars into magical garden treasure jars with this simple, frugal project.
For more, also see these creative projects for the home and garden.
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DIY VIDEOS
Easy Garden Art Project
I started making these garden treasure jars when my kids were little and they wanted to make their own garden art. Made from used food jars, you can decorate them with glass gems (flat-bottom marbles)—or whatever you like—and place them in the garden. Tiny toys and secret notes can be hidden inside—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 to have them glow in the evenings as well.
The small size of the jars makes this a quick and easy craft for kids and adults. Be sure to read the instructions so you know the glue that really works!
Before You Start
Please Note:
1. Read over the instructions and material list and use your judgement whether this project would be suitable for your kids.
2. Have a adult handle the silicone sealant/adhesive – read the product label carefully and follow all manufacturer instructions for safety, application, and drying times.
3. I specifically recommend one brand of silicone sealant (to use as an adhesive) -listed below- because it works. If you substitute for another product, your glass gems may not stick to the jars or will fall off later.
Treasure Jars With Glass Gems
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 colour theme for the glass gems or mix it up like the colours in a flower garden.
You could also use them as indoor or outdoor votive candle holders (use solar-powered votives) or a place to store small items.
Garden Treasure Jar Materials
- Used glass jars with lids.
- Flat-bottom marbles (see them at Amazon.com) Also called ‘glass gems’. (You could also use small stones or decoupage the jars). A 4″ tall jar needs approximately 75 ½” flat-bottom marbles.
- GE II Silicone Sealant (clear, waterproof-buy the stuff made for either gutters and flashing or windows and doors: It’s not a glue but instead grabs the marbles IF you apply it at least 1/4″ thick).
If you are new to using silicone sealant as an adhesive, read these tips first.
If you want to stand them in the garden—
- Wooden post or dowel and ¼” wood screw.
- or Copper pipe and end cap (see one at Amazon.com).
How To Make Garden Treasure Jars
TIP: There’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.
- 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.
- Attach flat-bottom marbles to the jar, working in circles from bottom to top, leaving room for the lid to open and close.It’s important to work from the bottom up so that the marbles rest on each other in rows: this way they won’t slide around while the silicone sealant is drying.
- Last, cover the jar bottom with silicone sealant and attach the rest of the marbles.
- Allow to dry.
To Mount The Jar On A Post
- Punch a small hole in the jar lid. I used an awl and a hammer for this.
- 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.
The jar screws onto the lid on the post:
But wait!
Be sure to hide a note and a treasure inside the jar.
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 weren’t expecting.
And, if you want to light them up at night, add some solar-powered votives!
~Melissa the Empress of Dirt ♛
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Love the name and artful jars. Can’t wait to make some.
Love these! Made some using acrylic “ice crystals” in a variety of colors then put a battery operated tea light on a timer inside. They turn on at dusk now, just like a solar light would but for a fraction of the cost. Wonderful addition to my garden, thanks!
Really love this idea. Will for sure do this with my Grand kids. Great idea.
I’m going to make these with 4th graders. Silicone sealant “not for children.” Is that for younger children? How about 10 year olds? Would the marine goop be better or worse for kids? Thanks.
Hi Jennifer, I would urge you to read the warnings on the labels of any product before deciding whether you would consider it appropriate for use with children. It completely depends on your setup and the kids involved to know whether it would be ok. I don’t use any adhesive unless I can work outdoors (for the best possible ventilation). I personally would not be comfortable with most children handling it.
Thank you. And now I’m trying to come up with a substitute because the jars are so darn cute and we’re going to have students place written invitations to pollinators in them to display in the school garden. I can’t give up the craft. Help!
How do you remove the sealant from the outside of the jar. probably left by my hands as i was gluing the stones.
Hi Carol, I don’t think you can remove sealant from select areas. That’s what makes it such a good outdoor glue: it doesn’t come off. I have seen others use hair dryers to heat an entire area (around a bathtub etc when renovating) and then pull the softened sealant off.
These glass jars would be super cool as a “prayer” capsule in your own garden or church garden. A “Give It To God” garden jar!
When I do these I use a hot glue gun. Maybe not great for use with kids, but Silicone Sealant stinks and it’s really great for kids either so I guess its one of those choose your poison type things lol
Anyway, the hot glue works also.
I’ve found that hot glue does not last year-round outdoors. But yes, silicone sealant is not for use with children. 🙂
When I used the hot glue gun my glass stones all fell off the next day. Do you have any tricks to making it stay. I made 2 with the silicon but you see all the silicone. Don’t like the look a much.
You can apply silicone one stone at a time, just applying it to the back of each one. It’s a slow process but it also won’t show.
I love glass. these are going to be so cute in my garden. cant wait to make them.
thanks for the idea.
I use marine goop. Found with boating supplies at Walmart down the fishing isle. It is really great stuff. Waterproof and UV resistant also. I use it for everything and never had a problem.
how do you make your jars grease free? after you wash it do you put alcohol on it or something? thanks
Hi Milly, I wash and dry the jar and then wipe it with a spray of rubbing alcohol, and wait until it evaporates, of course. For some people the big problem is natural oils from their hands, so not touching the jar is key. But, it’s no big deal – the adhesive is very good despite some grease or dirt.
I made 3 jars today. Bought the GE 11 sealant at Home Depot, glass pieces and jars at Michaels. jars were $1.99 each. Also got the wood posts at Home Depot for 60 cents each. I will paint the posts a contracting color to the glass beads and spry the posts with a clear varnish to prevent weathering. The sealant does work just remember to use enough ad you can do 1 pr 2 rows and wait till it sets before adding more rows.
Going to the dollar store to get solar lights. Think these will look awesome when completed and going o make my cousin a few for her garden.
Thanks so much. I’m always looking for easy and cool projects to add interest in my garden.
Nancy
Good job, Nancy! I’m glad you having fun making them. 🙂
Hi all…the link provided here is for GE II Kitchen Silicone Sealant and it does get terrible reviews on amazon. However, there is another GE II Silicone sealant which gets overall very good reviews. The containers are 2 different colors. Here’s the link to the “good” stuff:
http://www.amazon.com/GE-Silicone-10-1-Ounce-Cartridge-GE5000/dp/B0000CBJ7W/ref=pd_cp_hi_0
I love this project…I have bags and bags of those flat glass marbles and now I have something to use them for!
Thank you, Mary. The product I have found to work best is GE Silicone II (clear, waterproof) for Gutters and Flashing or the one for Windows and Doors.
The product reviews on GE II Silicone Sealant indicate that there is a chronic problem with it refusing to harden, even when the specific tube of it is marked well within the expiration date (like, 8 months before!). See product reviews on Amazon.com.
Sounds like the key is making sure the silicone is EXTRA FRESH!
I still plan to try this project, as I love the idea!
I’ve never had a problem with it though I’ve seen others get bad batches. Based on how many people have no problem with it, odds are, if the best buy date is recent, the product will be good.
Hi Marianne,
Checklist for success:
1. GE II Silicone Sealant is fresh (there is a best before date on the tube).
2. Jar is clean and grease-free.
3. You apply the sealant 1/4″ thick or more.
4. You apply it from the lowest point of the jar first – create a row of flat marbles, apply another ring of sealant above that row, and let the next row rest on the ones below.
The most common errors I see are not applying it thickly enough and not working with gravity (starting at the bottom).
I think I will try this for the nursing home, some of the residents need something to do and I believe this might work for their garden. The maintenance man can do the wood work, Thank you sooo very much. I ran across you and now I will keep trying some of your ideas.
You say you are following me?? my dear,i should be following YOU!!! Great ideas!
Thank you Sharon!
These look great! Those little ‘flat-bottom marbles’ things are actually called glass ‘cabochons’. I agree about the flame requiring air — holes punched in the lid should work nicely. I gotta try this one!
Many online shops list them as ‘glass gems’. Where I get they are labelled as ‘flat marbles’ – just in case anyone is searching for them. Also, I don’t recommend these treasure jars for any objects like candles.
I tried this and it didn’t work. All the glass pieces either slid off or wouldn’t stick.
Hi Lana, What adhesive did you use?
just found this gem of an art on facebook do you know if you could use it for citrocella candles to keep bugs away?
I wish citronella worked better – where I live, the mosquitoes are definitely winning! Welcome to ‘Empress of Dirt. 🙂
Not upside down and closed- the flame needs air.-
They’re not for candles – they are used outdoor as decoration although solar lights can be added and they do not need air.
I’ve done similar projects and found that using a dot of hot glue in the center of the gem and a little rim of silicone around that, on the starting row, allows you to have a quick set , then you can add your next rows without them sliding off the item.
I am so excited about this project and about finding your blog! I recently joined Home Talk and found you there! I have been working on a “Bucket List” of projects to do with my children while on Summer Break. I love this idea! We will definitely be making these!! Great tutorial also! I show my little ones helping in my garden a few days ago on my blog! I am hoping to do more garden posts myself. I am your newest Google Plus follower and subscriber! Can’t wait to see what’s next!
Jeanne
Welcome, Jeanne! Your enthusiasm has made my day. Thank you!
Our “marbles” kept slipping off-not all but here and there. what are we doing wrong?
Hi Annette, What did you use for adhesive?
I’ve just seen snow ski garden furniture http://pinterest.com/pin/39265827974012470/ and skis used as fence posts. But I will have a look around and see if I can find anything using water skis.
Like the decorated jars
Where do you but the sealant?
At the hardware store, this is bathtub caulk, just make sure it is clear.
It’s not actually caulk. It’s silicone sealant.
Store likes Home Depot sell it. Make sure it is silicone sealant, waterproof, suitable for outdoors, and dries clear. I use the brand GE Silicone II.
Oh I absolutely LOVE these! So pretty and so creative. I’ve seen a lot of mason jar crafts lately, but I think these are my favorite. I’m pinning them. Have a great day!
Debbie
Glad you liked them!
This is a lovely idea! If using solar lights, you could leave the bottom of the jar (which becomes the top) without any marbles so that the sun shines through to energise the bulb.
I’m thinking glow stick inside for garden lights.
Yes, solar lights or glow sticks would work. 🙂
I love this, and can’t wait to do it. And I don’t even have any kids at home anymore. It appeals to kid in all of us.
Have fun!
Love these Melissa..and so easy!
Thanks Nancy Blue Moon. They are very easy – great for impatient crafty types. 🙂
Love the treasure jars. Hm-m-m you’ve got my mind working … how about adding plant info to them and using them as plant markers?
Yes – there’s all sorts of possibilities – could add plant info inside or outside the jar… 🙂