i have put together this glitter globe tutorial as a little holiday gift for all of you positively wonderful people out there who take the time to stop by my little corner of the internet. i have included a list of tips and tricks to help save you time and get those creative juices flowing!
what you will need:
jar with lid
small lids to elevate figurines
(you can also use florists clay)
water and rust proof figurines
silicone sealer
distilled water
glycerin
glitter
wooden plaque (for stand)
acrylic paint
beads, ribbon, lace, buttons
you might also want a glue gun
...and your thinking cap
1. gather your jars:
make sure they have a lid that screws on tight and an opening large enough to fit your figurines
IDEAS: baby food jars, spice jars, pickle jars, peanut butter and jelly jars
2. gather your lids:
used to elevate figurines inside of jar.
IDEAS: collect lids from water bottles, tabasco bottles, spice jars...i even used some of those plastic stackable bead storage containers...which are great because they're clear. just screw off one of the containers and voila!
3. collect some figurines:
think about interesting ways to combine different elements into your scene.
IDEAS: plastic cupcake toppers, small toy figurines like farm animals or forest critters (i've seen these at micheals in the toy section) another great place to look is the party favor section.
4. plan of attack:
decide how you want to set up your bits and pieces and begin arranging your scene to the inside of the jar lid
NOTE: make sure it will fit inside the mouth of your jar and will fill the space properly
5. glue your scene in place:
once you have it all figured out. use your silicone sealer to start gluing everything in place.
NOTE: if you are using a tiny bottle lid to elevate your figurines make sure that it is sealed all the way around the base to your jar lid so that no water will be able to leak in after you fill it up.
6. allow sealer to cure overnight.
let everything set for at least 24 hours...waiting is the hardest part!
...this is a good time to start working on your base...
7. paint base:
i used one of those unfinished wooden plaque things that you get at joanns or micheals. gave it a couple of coats of acrylic paint and a coat of satin sealer. you can also use those small wooden spools to glue on as legs to elevate your stand.
8. plan layout on base:
think outside the box. your entire scene does not necessarily need to fit inside the jar. maybe it spills onto your colorful painted platform in the form of additional figurines or buttons or vintage pins or whatever else you can think of!
...now get a good night's rest and dream about how lovely everything will
come together when you add your water and glitter...
9. time to sterilize your jar:
boil up a big old pot of water and fill jar to the very brim to kill any sort of ick that might want to take up residence in your beautiful new world.
10. prepare water for filling:
you can used distilled water from the store or just boil up a batch and allow it to cool before filling your jar
11. fill jar:
start with a little bit of water (i used a soup ladle to transfer water from the pot to my jar), then add your glitter and glycerin and top off with more water.
NOTE: i used a from 2 to 4 capfuls of glycerin depending on the size of my jar. 2 for a spice jar and 4 for a large peanut butter jar...the ratio of glitter is about the same...about 2- 4 teaspoons per jar.
NOTE: i recommend that you test glitter/glycerin ratios for yourself before adding them to your final jar....you may decide to use more or less.
TIPS: i used regular old craft glitter and found that it works the best and it comes in a TON of colors. the glass glitter was too heavy and the confetti colors tinted the water after a few days....which makes me realize that you can probably tint your water with food coloring if you want...FUN!
anyways, the glycerin is what makes the glitter swirl rather than dump from one side to the other. i have also read that you can use mineral oil, but found that everything just clumped together on the top of the water in a giant glob....but the glycerin works AWESOME!
12. secure lid
after you have your ratios figured out and everything filled to the brim...hold your jar over the sink and screw on your lid (some of the water will over flow). give it a shake and confirm that you LOVE it! once you decide it's perfect...unscrew the lid. top off the water again and run a bead of silicone sealer around the top of you jar....now screw your lid back on and dry off any water and remove any sealer that squirts out from around the lid using a paper towel.
13 finish your platform:
you can use this time to secure additional figurines to your platform using fabritac or a hot glue gun. you can also embellish your jar with ribbons or buttons or discarded jewelry (as i have used an orphaned vintage earring in the wheel barrow)
once your lid has cured flip it over and give it a shake.
NOTE:you may want to leave the jar unsecured from your platform for easier shaking.
now wasn't that easy!? and just think of the possibilities. a great project to do with the kids and collect them over the years. keep an eye out for cool jars like fancy marmalades or mustards and spice jars are perfect for a pocket sized glitter globes....you never know where your imagination might lead.
have fun and send pictures...pretty PLEASE!
ttfn
here are a couple of links:
former martha pastry chef now with amazing cupcake shops on etsy
great bottle brush trees and other decorations
happy hunting!
