Turn old jars into magical garden treasure jars with this simple, frugal project. With glass gems from the dollar store and solar votive lights, they will make your garden sparkle at night.
For more, also see these creative projects for the home and garden.
DIY Glass Gem Jars
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 an 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—research your glue first!
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 tealight candles) or a place to store small items.
Garden Treasure Jar Materials
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If you want to stand them in the garden—
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 ♛
Beverly Brannan says
I would like to give this a try. BUT I tend to be messy and I do not want to have a mess in my yard. Do you use newspaper or an old shower curtain to keep the work area neat? Thanks
Melissa J. Will says
Hi Beverly,
Old shower curtain is fine. Use a tube of adhesive and just apply it carefully to one gem at a time.
Cheryl says
Love the name and artful jars. Can’t wait to make some.
Meghan says
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!
Trudy Musgrove says
Really love this idea. Will for sure do this with my Grand kids. Great idea.
Jennifer says
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.
Melissa J. Will says
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.
Jennifer says
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!
Carol says
How do you remove the sealant from the outside of the jar. probably left by my hands as i was gluing the stones.
Melissa J. Will says
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.
Billie Jo says
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!
Just Follow My Link says
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.
Melissa J. Will says
I’ve found that hot glue does not last year-round outdoors. But yes, silicone sealant is not for use with children. 🙂
Lisa says
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.
Melissa J. Will says
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.
wendy frazier says
I love glass. these are going to be so cute in my garden. cant wait to make them.
thanks for the idea.
night_fury_77 says
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.
Milly says
how do you make your jars grease free? after you wash it do you put alcohol on it or something? thanks
Melissa J. Will says
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.
Nancy Marchinko says
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
Melissa J. Will says
Good job, Nancy! I’m glad you having fun making them. 🙂