Creativity Street Glitter Variety Pack, 0.75-Ounce Jars, 12-Pack, Assorted Colors (AC8710)
How To Make a Glitter Globe
Learn how to make a glitter globe; this timeless classic is a great craft idea for all ages and a great take on the original “snow” filled version -which is great if you want something you can enjoy year round no matter what the season.
I’ve enjoyed making these over the years, I was inspired to make mine after a plastic version I got from a souvenir shop started leaking 🙁 I used some easy to obtain objects, and a method to follow sequentially each time.
I also like how these things kind of double as a paperweight too 🙂 A pretty one!
Homemade Glitter Globe Supplies
These are the ingredients you need to create a homemade glitter globe out of an ordinary jar:
- Small jar and lid – wide mouth is always preferable
- Glycerin
- Assorted confetti
- A 1 oz tube of glitter in your color choice
- Small object of your choosing that will be the “focal point” for the glitter globe
- Waterproof glue
If you enjoyed the sensory bottle project, this is pretty similar in approach. We are going to be doing a few things differently here though.
Table of Contents
Be sure to set aside a week at least to complete this fun project.
How To Make Your Own Glitter Globe!
1. With a clean empty jar in hand, first things first…using a dab of waterproof glue around the object edges and the spot on the lid, attach the chosen object in the middle of the lid. The object of your choosing can be something of sentimental value or just one that you enjoy looking at.
It’s best to choose something “tapered” so that the jar will fit into the lid with no danger of overlap. You also may want to pick something you won’t mind-and made of a material too-that can stand up to being submerged 24/7.
Note: The solvent I’m using here – Gorilla Glue – one thing not recommended is items made of polystyrene….so avoid objects made out of that if you can.
For my project I am using this pretty glass triangle; its design will work great on all these levels. It’s pretty to look at, will fit easily, and is safe to be submerged.
2. Leave it alone to set up for as long as you need to. Even though I always use a reliable solvent glue, I still make sure my projects have at least 48 hours to “cure up”. Water will be going in there, and this may end up a gift and I want it to hold up right the first time. So don’t rush it; be sure to let the glued object/lid “cure” for a few days.
3. OK…Fill the jar with a little confetti, glitter, what have you. I’m using a combination of both here. A little goes a long way is my glitter philosophy, so I probably used a fourth of a teaspoon if that in my project. I wanted the addition of the metallic confetti to “complement” it a little.
How much glitter you want to use is up to you ultimately as you don’t have to be as stingy as I am with it…some of it will be suspended in the water but most of it will float to the bottom. My combined glitter/confetti is about a fourth of an inch.
4. Fill the jar with water up to about the rim of the jar (to make a little allowance for the submerged object that will displace it slightly) Add a few drops of glycerin.
You’re probably wondering why I ask you to put in the glitter first before the water….Well, the glitter by its very nature of scattering easily, will clump up at the top if you go water first then glitter, so its best to go glitter first then water.
Glycerin is a product that has its role in medicinal use, but as I understand it’s also used to preserve craft projects. You can probably get it online; I got mine from the drugstore.
A glitter jar I made years ago, I didnt’ know about glycerin’s use here, and some fo the confetti ended up dying the water pink-no joke.
5. Apply some glue to the rim of the jar and for good measure to the inside of the lid where it will stick with the lid.
6. Now carefully take that sucker and glue it to the jar just like you were removing or replacing the lid. Make sure it will be snug but no need to tighten the daylights out of it as the glue will do most of the work.
The finished product
7. Now let it set up to cure again…just like you did with the object/lid. A few days for good measure, play your cards right and this thing will be a real treasure!
Final Thoughts
You can paint the lid/base part if you want, but it’s not necessary. The lid from my jar was just plain solid black with no writing so I just decided to leave it be.
Now you know officially how to make a glitter globe that will stand the test of time! You can tip it over and shake and watch that glitter dance around so it’ll be worth it!
American Crafts 24-Pack WOW and Spark Mixed Glitter and TinselDoodlebug Sugar Coating Chunky Glitter Assortment, 5 Gram Bottles, 12/PkgColorful Glitter Confetti Mixed Shapes Size 3mm Great for DIY Crafts
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