Snow globes are great for any occasion or holiday, just by changing 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 piece together the elements for a truly unique custom creation.

SNOW GLOBE FOR WINTER CRAFTS

Materials:

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

Small Ornaments, Figures or Waterproof Decorations

Distilled water or boiled and chilled water

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

Eggshells or foil confetti

Brilliantine

Glycerin or Mineral Oil

Optional: Plastic cap to fit inside jar lid,

Circle of Fabric, Ribbon or Lace

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

2. Plan your Snowball Scene – Find materials and inspiration in your home sewing kit and craft supplies. You can make people, animals, trees, whatever, out of craft foam. Sewing accessories are also a great source of 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 Figures and Decorations inside jar lid with silicone sealant or florist’s clay. To elevate the scene for 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 just 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 doing 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 your favorite team’s colors.

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 lid once it has settled to the bottom. Use silver glitter along with the eggshells to make glittery snow – use a 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 swirling effect. Add food coloring to the water or use different colored glitters.

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

7. Seal the Dome – When you’re sure the figures and scenery are arranged to your liking and the ratio of water and snow looks right, add a bead of silicone sealant around the threads of the lid and close tight.

8. Add final keys – For a more decorative and 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 onto the elastic band.

You will be proud to display and enjoy your original.

winter crafts creating snow globes.