Mason Jar Snow Globe
Play , Winter 2012
Rhythm of the Home3 Comments
If there were a singular emblem of the DIY aesthetic, it would have to be the Mason jar. Beyond their intended purpose of food preservation, they make excellent coffee mugs, lanterns, flower holders, pin cushions, decorative storage containers…the list is only limited by the imagination of all the crafty folks out there who like to use what they have and transform it to meet their vision and needs.
To add a bit of the bohemian to your holiday decorations, you can use the humble Mason jar to make a simple snow globe. Using bits of nature, glitter, and sequins, you can create a hands-on trinket that never fails to delight young and old.
Materials
Mason jar, any size
Corresponding lid and ring
Pinecone, an evergreen tree branch, or other found natural item
Hot glue gun
Water
Glycerin
Glitter, sequins, or fake snow
Instructions
Wash and dry the jar, ring, and lid very well. Trim the bottom of the pinecone so it is flat. Then, using the hot glue gun, adhere the pine cone to the inside of the lid. Let it dry completely — overnight is best.
Fill the jar with water, almost to the top. Remember, the pinecone will displace some of the water.
Pour in about a teaspoonful of glycerin (I found mine at my bulk foods store). This is not absolutely necessary, but it does help the glitter fall more slowly and gives a beautiful swirling effect. Next, add glitter, sequins, or fake snow.
Carefully place the lid with the attached pine cone on the jar and secure the ring. Turn over and shake!
Variation
Younger kids may want to get involved, but may not yet be ready to wield the glue gun. This variation is for them! Gather some smaller pine cones or other natural objects and put them in the jar along with the glitter; no gluing required. I found this made a wonderful version of a snow globe for my one-and-a-half-year-old.
He had a blast gathering tiny pine cones and putting them in the jar to create a snow globe of his very own that he can shake to his heart’s content.
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Courtney Cable is a Midwestern mama of one who strives to find the creative beauty in each day. She blogs about keeping a simple, mindful and sustainable home at A Life Sustained.
Rhythm of the Home is an online magazine for families that focuses on creating with children, nature explorations, seasonal celebrations, conscious parenting, and mindfulness in all that we do.
