This past January I posted a little craft tutorial - my spin on creating simple snow globes from screw-top glass jars.   I’ve received several requests for supply sources and so I’ve compiled this little addenda!

Jars:

• +The best source for jars is your recycling bin. Honestly, baby food jars make fantastic snow globes for little hands and in many households they’re plentiful! Jelly and jam, olive and salsa jars also tend to work particularly well.

• +However, if you’re looking for a specific shape or need larger quantities you may find what you’re looking for at one of these online sources:
• SKS Bottle & Packaging: Their Paragon Jars are great for housing taller evergreen trees.  If you’re concerned about your kids handling glass jars, they also have a nice selection of clear plastic jars.
• Specialty Bottle: glass jars
• Bottle Store: glass jars, plastic jars

Distilled Water:

• +“Distilled water is water that has virtually all of its impurities removed through distillation. Distillation involves boiling the water and then condensing the steam into a clean container, leaving most if not all solid contaminants behind.” This is important because it’ll help keep the contents of your snow globe from growing algae. It can be found bottled (typically in gallon jugs) alongside bottled drinking water in your grocery store. [I have also heard t suggested that you can place a drop of rubbing alcohol in the water to further deter algae, though I have not tried this method.]

Glycerin:

• +“Glycerin is an organic compound, also commonly called glycerol or glycerine. It is a colorless, odorless, viscous liquid that is widely used in pharmaceutical formulations.” It is used in snow globes to prevent the ’snow’ from falling to the bottom of the jar too quickly - creating a more graceful floating effect.  It is sold in all major drug store as a skin protectant, typically in smaller 4 or 6 ounce plastic bottles.

Snow:

• +For your snow globe snow you’ll want plastic glitter - plastic, because it’s lightweight and will ‘float’ nicely in your globe and also because it won’t deteriorate or rust in water. The range of available glitter colors is huge, but for ’snow’ I tend to gravitate towards white or clear. You’ll find glitter in any craft store and often in the stationary aisle of the drugstore alongside markers and construction paper.

Silicone Sealant:

• +Silicone Sealant is what you’ll use to secure your snow globe’s contents to the inside of the jar lid. It’s a clear, waterproof and rubbery adhesive often used in the construction and repair of aquariums. You can find it in hardware stores and often aquarium supply stores.

Snow Globe Contents:

• +My examples housed simple plastic evergreen trees culled from my stash of vintage cake toppers.  However, since I last tackled this project I’ve become aware of several new sources for vintage and vintage style plastic cake decorations that would look great inside handmade snow globes. Below is just a small sampling of what you’ll find in these little boutique shops!

Above:
Festive Tree from Hey Yo Yo

Below:
Snowmen with Brooms from Hey Yo Yo
Wee Spotted Fawns from The Thin Veil
Tiny Snow Chalet from Cupcake Confessional
Evergreen Trees from Lulu’s Cupcake Boutique
Gingerbread Men from Sweet Poppy
Rolly Polly Snowmen from Blue Daisies
Gift Giving Santa from Sweet Estelle
Eight Miniature Reindeer from Sweet Poppy
Green Pixies from Hey Yo Yo

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