There are some projects that come together so easily, and there are others that just seem to be a chore. I thought for sure project would be a piece of cake. These simple Mason Jar snow globes seemed like just the ticket.
However, there were a few unforeseen problems.
I gathered a bunch of my vintage jars and lids. Then I went to the Dollar Store and picked up little trees and mini-village decorations. I also pulled out my white and blue glitter, Waterproof Silicone caulk, Super Glue and Glycerin.
Warning, do not use a glue gun. The glue is not waterproof.
There are many versions of this project on the internet. I feel in love with this idea years ago after it was first pictured in Martha Stewart's Living magazine. I have always wanted to try it.
My jars didn't have the antique zinc tops, so I decided to make do with the canning lids. This may have been a bad idea. I used the Silicone calk and super glue to permanently seal the lids to the bands. I had so much fun gluing the figures to the tops of the jars, it didn't occur to me that the glue would be seeping out onto the counter top.
If someone knows how to get super glue off a counter top, please let me know.
Warning, Super Glue sticks to counter tops.
My favorite little display was the snowman with the tree. I thought he was so cute! I looked all over for the perfect snowman ornament yesterday, I thought he was IT!
Then I added 3 Tablespoons of glycerin to each jar, dumped in some glitter, and filled the rest (3/4 of the way full) with water.
Warning, some snowmen are too short!
When I inverted my jars, I found my little snowman looks like he's drowning. He is too short, and you can barely see him over the rim of the lid. Next time I will look for an ornament 3-4" tall. This little snowman reminds me of Mr. Bill for some reason.
Remember Mr. Bill?
"Help me, I am drowning!"
I found I really liked the white glitter in the clear jars. They just seem to sparkle.
But I found that I really liked the blue glitter better. These jars are clear, but the blue glitter gives the illusion that they are blue jars.
Who knew?
Warning, too much glitter is not a good thing. I added little figures next to the tree in this first jar, they get lost in the blue snow.
The jar on the left was the only blue jar I had. The jar on the right was a clear jar. Both jars had blue glitter in them. You really can't tell the difference between them can you?
I had seen some snow globe jars with pieces of jewelry inside them. I thought this was a very clever idea. However, some of the jewelry just got lost in the snow at the bottom of the jar and you don't even know it's there.
Jewelry is heavier than glitter and sinks to the bottom of the jar.
Warning, snow globes are hard to photograph.
Jars also leak during photographing when you forget to put the final coat of Silicone caulk on the jar rim.
Who knew?
Alas, it's on to the next project!
Is there any chance the trees will rust? I know that most bottle brush trees have metal centers and may rust being in the water. Let me know what you find or if these trees were plastic.
ReplyDeleteCute ideas!
Janice
I do not know if the trees will rust. I guess to me, I was after a vintage look and if they rust it will just add to the charm. You may be able to find some trees without metal centers instead.
ReplyDeleteSealing the trees by dipping them in poly acrylic and allowing them to dry will thwart any rust issues. Also u can use real cedar clippings and seal them
Deletewhy don't you fill jar all the way? How much glitter did you add? When you glue lids now, how do youdo it and not have glue get on counter. I know this sounds stupid but I am sure you have it down to a science! thank you so much. Chris
ReplyDeleteYou need to leave some space at the top of the jar for the water and glitter to move around inside. If you over fill them, they won't have any movement. I added about 3-4 tablespoons of glitter to the large jars, maybe 2-3 tablespoons to the smaller ones. I decided the easiest way to glue the lids was to leave them up right until dry, then turn the jars upside down. Thanks for reading!
DeleteGreat idea! love the glitter!! Would love for you to share at Simple & Sweet Fridays. New Follower!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Jody
Is there a product out there that is waterproof to hold pictures? My daughter is getting married next fall and would love to do this for her and her future husband...thanks Jacky
ReplyDeleteI know you can buy ornament kits that have slots for adding your own pictures. I have not seen any for snow globes, but I would think you could laminate a photo and put it inside the globe. I have seen people attach the photos to the back of the jar and have the glitter and decorations inside the jar, that may give you a similar result. Let me know how it comes out!
DeleteActually you can fill the jars completely and still have movement. You could also build up the base of the lids so your small ornaments do not get lost.
ReplyDeleteIf you glued a "float" to jewelry. .. like a hollow decorative bead to the jewelry it would help it float or super glue a piece to the botton of jar and link them to hang down? Just a thought ♥
ReplyDelete