DIY Snow Globe Jar | Glow in the Dark! Recycled Jars

Merry Christmas Everyone!!!

Are you ready? Have you got all the presents for your loved ones? No? Oh well, then keep reading this Instructable! :)))

I decided to do this DIY snow globe jar as you can fill it with anything you like! Mints, chocolate, bonbons, dried fruit and nuts, even cotton balls to keep in your bathroom! The possibilities are endless! :) Plus its a glow in the dark one! How cool is that! You can easily create cheap DIY Christmas presents that are expensive looking and more importantly have that touch of uniqueness about them. It's lovely to make prersonalized gifts! You can make cool DIY gifts for friends, family or your other half and show them that you actually care! :)

I really hope you find them useful and that they give you some inspiration for making DIY Christmas presents and Easy DIY room decor. :) I still think the best Christmas presents are the ones you make yourself anyway! :)

Here is the list of materials I used in this Easy DIY:

Two used jars, watertight and clean(you can put them into hot soapy water and that will get rid of the labels and glue)

Rubbing alcohol

Hot glue and glue sticks

Coarse sand paper

Glitter

Boiled, filtered water - or distilled water - or any water you have :)

Glycerine - optional

mixing stick

polymer clay (oven, baking tray and paper)

dotting tool

Exacto knife

Ribbon and a fabric bow

Tulip glow in the dark paints

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Step 1: You Can Watch My Video Tutorial Here :)

You can watch my video tutorial here or read written instructions in the next steps. Or both :)

Step 2: Materials I Used

Here is the list of materials I used in this Easy DIY:

Two used jars, watertight and clean(you can put them into hot soapy water and that will get rid of the labels and glue)

Rubbing alcohol

Hot glue and glue sticks

Coarse sand paper

White and blue iridescent Glitter

Boiled, filtered water - or distilled water - or any water you have :)

Glycerine - optional

mixing stick

polymer clay (oven, baking tray and paper)

dotting tool

Exacto knife

Ribbon and a bow

Tulip glow in the dark paints

Step 3: Prepare the Jars

Clean both jars in hot soapy water. I added some washing up liquid into very hot water and let the large jar in it for an hour and the label came off really nicely.

Roughen the surface of the lids with coarse sand paper and Exacto knife. There will be some gluing later on and this will make sure the glue holds onto the surface.

Step 4: Decoration for the Globe

I decided to create a tree and a snowman classic :) Get some polymer clay and create a cone shape for the tree and 3 little white balls for the snowman :) After you are happy with the design, cut a hole in the bottom of the tree and also the snowman. First, it will help it bake throughout the figures and second, the glue will get in and again will hold them better to the surface. I also used clay to create a circular base for them, although in my opinion, it should have been a bit higher as the bottom of the tree and snowman disappeared at the end..Put a bit of baking foil into the tree and also create small holes all over it (for your paint later). Then bake according to the polymer clay instructions. I was using Fimo and baked it for 30 minutes on 110 degrees Celsius.

Step 5: Glue, Paint, Glue :)

Using a hot glue gun, apply some glue to the inside of the globe lid and attach the white circular surface bit (the little holes facing the lid) Cut out a small triangle shape hole into the base - there the tree will stand and then apply a generous amount of hot glue to the hole of the tree and stick it to the base. You can then remove any spilled glue with an exact knife once it has cooled down.

OK, time to paint! Get a dotting tool of some sort and apply dots of glow in the dark paint where the little holes are. Btw these paints are made for fabric, so they are waterproof once they dry properly.

So once the paints have dried, stick on the snow man the same way as the tree. Again, I cut out a small hole in the base for the glue to get into.

Final check - screw the lid to the glass jar and see if everything fits :)

Step 6: Fill in the Jar

For this part I was using filtered and boiled water and it's recommended to use distilled water if possible, but I am sure any water will be just fine :)

Fill in your jar with water 3/4 of the way and then add 2 teaspoons of glitter or so (depends on your preference and size of your jars), then about a teaspoon of vegetable glycerin. Glycerin will make the glitter float slowly, but to be honest it's not made a big difference, so it's totally optional. Mix it really well. There might by a bit of glitter and bubbles on the top, so get a spoon and remove them. Then fill your jar right to the top, let all the glitter sink to the bottom and carefully screw on the lid. Make sure there is no air trapped inside as that will create air bubbles inside the globe.

Tip: I have tried several types of glitter and some of them kept clumping together and floating to the surface of the water. Then I used a different make and everything worked perfectly! so don't give up if this happens to you, just try to find the right glitter that will work. The one that worked for me was 'edible' non toxic glitter bought in a cake decoration store.

Step 7: It's Glitter Time!!!

All right, are you ready for some sparkle??? Hahaha I have managed to cover myself and the entire kitchen in this gorgeous white iridescent glitter!!! But hey! It's Christmas!!! ..not sure my husband approves of it though! :)))

Clean the lids and the bottom of the globe jar with some rubbing alcohol or at least soapy water and let's start!

First glue the globe lid to the middle of the large lid using hot glue, press it down really well and let set. Then doing one section at the time, apply hot glue around the lid opening and quickly cover in glitter. You can even press it down with your finger - but carefully of course - we all know it's hot hot hot :) And then cover the large lid with more glue and glitter and you can even add more layers of glue and glitter. Until you are satisfied ;) Add glue to the top of the globe glass and guess what - COVER IT IN MORE GLITTER! :))

Honestly, I think have a thing for iridescent glitter(or any glitter really) I looove it so much!! :)))

Now go and rinse the whole snow globe under cold water to get rid of any excess glitter bits ;)