Snow globes are great for any occasion or holiday, simply switch up what you use to create your scene. Just let your imagination run wild!

For example, make a harvest scene for Thanksgiving, a spooky haunted house for Halloween, a red heart for Valentine’s Day, or a colorful Easter/Spring display for the holiday of your choice.

Other themes might include a birthday or special event, a sports team, a favorite cartoon character or superhero, a seashell, or a Victorian motif, to name just a few.

Once you have an event or theme in mind, it’s easy to pull together the elements for a truly unique custom creation.

SNOW GLOBE FOR WINTER CRAFTS

Materials:

Clear glass jar with tight lid (pickle, bell pepper, jelly, baby food)

Small Ornaments, Figures or Waterproof Decorations

Distilled water or boiled and cooled water

Clear silicone sealant (aquarium sealant) or florist’s clay

Egg shells or foil confetti

Brilliantine

Glycerin or Mineral Oil

Optional: Plastic cap to fit inside the jar lid,
Fabric, Ribbon or Lace Circle

1. Choose a clean and dry glass jar – A baby food jar is perfect for a toddler craft, bell pepper jars have a unique ball shape, and pickle jars are large enough to allow you to add various elements to your scene. Simply adjust your jar to your desired end effect. Remove labels and food residue.

2. Plan your Snowball Scene – Look for materials and inspiration in your sewing kit and craft supplies at home. You can make people, animals, trees, you name it, out of craft foam. Sewing accessories are also a great source for small decorations. Also consider miniatures at the craft or hobby store. Remember to shop the day after a holiday for lots of discounted items!

3. Secure the Figures and Decorations inside the jar lid with silicone sealant or florist’s clay. To raise the scene so it’s in full view, glue a plastic lid inside the jar lid or build up the area with a little more florist’s clay. Be sure to leave the edges clear so you have room to screw the lid on. Set aside to dry.

4. Prepare your “Snow” using the shell of a hard-boiled egg. Separate the shell from the membrane, place in a heavy-duty ziploc bag, and crush with a rolling pin. The finer particles will fall more slowly into the snowball and have a more pleasing effect. However, avoid crushing the eggshell into a powder, as it will simply float on the water instead of falling smoothly.

Depending on your theme, you can change your “snow” to go with it. Try themed confetti available at craft stores to add an interesting element to your creation. If you’re making a Halloween or Thanksgiving scene, look for foil confetti in fall colors. For Easter you can use foil flower confetti. For a sports theme, use glitter in the colors of your favorite team.

The possibilities are endless and ensure that you are creating a unique snow globe!

5. Fill the globe with snow – When you are satisfied with the snow globe scene, fill the jar with distilled water, leaving a small space at the top to accommodate the figures. Add several drops of glycerin to keep the snow suspended and floating properly. Mineral oil or baby oil can also be used in place of the water and glycerin.

6. Add snow and glitter. When adding eggshells, make sure you have enough to cover the top once it has settled to the bottom. Use silver glitter along with eggshells to make glittery snow – use one teaspoon of glitter for every inch of water. If you are adventurous, experiment with different effects. Use a drop or two of colored lamp oil to create a swirl effect. Add food coloring to the water or use different colored glitter.

Close the jar tightly and shake your snowball. Observe how the snow falls and the general appearance. Modify until you get the desired effect by adding a little more snow, glitter, or confetti.

7. Seal the Dome – When you are sure that the figures and scenery are arranged to your liking and that the proportion of water and snow looks good, add a drop of silicone sealant around the threads of the lid and close well.

8. Add Final Keys – For a more decorative, finished look, cut a circle of pretty fabric slightly larger than the jar lid. Secure it to the lid with an elastic band. Hot glue a piece of ribbon or lace over the elastic band.

You will be proud to display and enjoy your original.
winter crafts creating snowballs.