Glass ball with snow inside - a universal gift

Each of us at least once in my life saw on the shelves of a toy such a toy as a glass ball with snow inside. However, many of them are more correctly called art objects due to masterful execution and beauty. Such a gift will be pleasant and memorable for both the child and the adult for any holiday.

What is it?

Usually a glass sphere with snow inside is a sphere or hemisphere made of glass, placed on a special stand (simple or decorated, stucco or flat, with signatures and without: everything depends on the purpose and price of the souvenir). Inside the ball there are pretty miniatures strewn with plastic snow flakes or sparkles. Just turn over, and under the dome there will be a whole winter sketch.

Types of glass balls

1. New Year's. If you ask any foreigner what is called a glass sphere with snow inside, he will immediately respond: Snow globe. This is perhaps the most popular souvenir, which appears every year in Christmas benches around the world (they are especially common in Europe). More often than not, New Year's glass balls with snow inside have some Christmas figures, houses, fairy-tale winter characters. Shake it and get a revived Christmas tale. This gift is especially good for children, but it will help adults to tune in to the right mood before the holiday.

2. Souvenir. Usually they are sold in popular tourist places. Inside, under the glass dome, there is a miniature copy of the architectural monument or other symbol typical for this place. An excellent traditional gift for the memory of a trip for yourself or a souvenir dear.

3. Romantic. Figures inside such balls usually symbolize something related to love, family, children. They give such balls for a wedding, an anniversary, a day of lovers or just to please a loved one.

4. Collectible. Usually such glass balls with snow inside are large with carefully elaborated figures or even whole stories. It will look great on the shelf as for avid collectors, and simply for art lovers.

5. Children. Sometimes they are not even a glass sphere with snow inside, but a hemisphere made of plastic (to make it more difficult to break it). Inside, there are usually figures of fairy-tale heroes or cartoon scenes.

How to do?

The souvenir bought in the store can look great and please the eye. But if you want to really please a loved one or make something with children, it's best to make glass balls with snow inside with your own hands. Fortunately, it's very simple and not expensive for finance.

We collect materials. We will replace the glass bowl with an ordinary can. Large or small, round or cylindrical, - no restrictions. The main thing is that it is perfectly clean and well closed with a suitable lid. It will take boiled or distilled water (it is better not to pour water directly from the tap, in time it may become clouded), glycerin. Need a figure that will be inside our ball. You can take a toy from the "Kinder-surprise" or blind yourself, it all depends on skill and desire. Still need tinsel or sequins or all together, hot glue or glue "Moment Crystal". You will need different things for decoration: cardboard, shiny varnish, acrylic paints, beads, polymer clay, twigs and berries - all that will prompt fantasy and opportunities.

We begin manufacturing. The chosen figure is well fixed with glue or polymer clay on the lid of the jar (do not use self-hardening clay, it will get wet in the water). Decorate the bottom of the lid from the inside to your liking.

Fill the jar at the rate of 2/3 of water and 1/3 of glycerin (do not pour to the brim, otherwise the figure will replace excess water). If you add more glycerin, then the sequins will fall very long, and if less, they will immediately fall to the bottom. In this mixture, gently fill the glitter or finely chopped tinsel. Stir and remove all that was left to float on the top.

Lubricate the cover with glue and tightly close it with the jar. Now the figure is inside. Wait for a while, so that the glue dries, turn the resulting structure over.

The toy is almost ready, it's time to start decorating it from the outside.

Stand

The resulting glass sphere with snow inside can be supplemented with a beautiful stand. Its shape and appearance depend on the subject matter of the particular toy, but there are several proven options.

We glue the base from a dense cardboard so that it coincides with the diameter of the can. We decorate it with colored paper, beautiful cloth, satin ribbons, beads, sequins - everything that requires inspiration.

You can mold a stand of polymer clay. To do this, again, we make a base of cardboard, and on top of it we already make "stucco molding." We paint with acrylic paints or shiny nail polish.

If there is no desire or sufficient skill, then simply paint the lid with a golden or silver lacquer. Will also be festive and beautiful.

Helpful Tips

To make the toy you made long pleased the eye, there are a few simple rules:

• We glue the figurine to the lid very tightly with such glue that will not dissolve in the water.
• The figure itself should not deteriorate with a long time in the water. Ideal for plastic or porcelain.
• Do not be too addicted to the addition of snow, otherwise because of it you will not see the miniatures inside.
• To make the ball with snow turned bright and festive, you can use colored tinsel and sparkles.

The main thing is not to limit the flight of your imagination when you decorate a toy. Let it give a festive mood every day!