Snow domes first began shaking up North America in the 1920s and they still haven't lost their charm. Whatever they're called -- snow globes, water domes, snowstorms, snow scenes, or blizzard weights -- their small worlds contain special magic for all ages. Now you can learn to make your own. Along with some fascinating history, CBC'S The Answer Lady Marg Meikle discovered a fun family activity, which can be as easy or as complicated as you want to make it.
Snow Dome
Adapted from Return of the Answer Lady (Douglas & McIntyre, 1993).
You need:
Dome or globe*
• Use clean clear jars with flat screw-on lids.
• Look for flat-bottomed globes at garage sales and junk shops
• Take apart and clean.
Small figures and scenery
• Choose plastic, ceramic, glass or enamelled metal items that don't deteriorate in water.
• Collect small figurines, cars, boats, buildings and trees at garage sales and junk shops. Dollhouse, miniature and model railway stores are also good sources, as are toy boxes.
• Make your own from colourful polymer modelling clay, such as Fimo brand (available at craft supply stores).
Adhesive*
• Use two-part epoxy or a styrenebased adhesive sealant (available at hardware stores) to glue figures and scenery onto dome base.
• Use good-quality clear silicone sealant (available at hardware stores) to seal dome base or jar lid closed and to prevent leaks.
Paint
• Use acrylic paint (available in small tubes from art supply and craft supply stores) to paint figures, scenery, dome base or jar lid. (Note: Wet paint washes out of brushes with water, but once dry, paint is not water-soluble.)
Page 1 of 3 -- Collect the proper materials to create snow for your festive winter globe on page 2
