Snow Domes

MATERIALS:

Dome or Globe:
- use clean clear jars with flat screw-on lids.
- look for flat bottomed globes at garage sales or junk shops.
Take apart and clean.
- dome may also be purchased in kit form.

Small figures and scenery:
- choose plastic, ceramic, glass or enameled metal items that don't deteriorate in water.
- collect small figurines, boats, cars, 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 colorful polymer clay, such as Fimo.

Adhesive:
- use two part epoxy or a styrene-based adhesive sealant to glue
figures and scenery into dome base.
- use good quality clear silicone sealant to seal dome base or jar lid closed and to prevent leaks.

Paint:
- Use acrylic paint to paint figures, scenery, dome base, or jar lid.

Snow:
- pound thin white shells or disposable plastic cutlery into tiny pieces with hammer. Rinse in strainer to remove dust before using.
- collect and use a small amount of fine beach sand.
- use colored or clear glitter or tiny sequins.

Photographs and paper mementoes:
- choose personal photos, significant postcards or maps as scenery or background.

Other:
Pure glycerin (available at drugstores)
distilled water
liquid detergent, such as Ivory Clear
artist's paintbrushes
glue gun (optional)
plastic sheet to protect work surface
plastic dishpan

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Determine if snow dome will be viewed from all sides, or will have a background and foreground.

2. Experiment with placement of figures, scenery and background. Set them up on base, stopper, or jar lid, then cover with dome, globe or jar. The glass will magnify the objects; you may wish to change them or their placement. (note: if using photographs or paper mementoes as backgrounds, treat as follows: cut out desired image and, working quickly with brush, coat all paper surfaces with two part epoxy; let dry.) When satisfied, fix in place with appropriate adhesive; let dry.

3. Paint figures, scenery, background and dome base, jar lid or stopper as desired; let dry.

4. Place approx. 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of glycerin and tiny drop of detergent in upturned globe; fill one half full with distilled water and shake to mix. (note: if using sand as snow, use glycerin with tiny drop of detergent and no water added)

5. pour 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of "snow" into mixture. Shake to mix. Finish filling globe with distilled water. Shake to mix. (note: add more "snow" if necessary.)

6. Apply silicone around inside edge of dome base or jar lid. Push into base or screw onto jar. (note: assemble as follows: holding globe or jar over dishpan, work slowly, allowing excess mixture to escape over rim of glass. Use care with this step. When figures and scenery are inserted in mixture too quickly, resulting pressure may break glass. If using kit with rubber stopper, do not apply glue to stopper. Insert into globe in above manner, until bottom of stopper is flush.

7. Check for air bubbles; if using a globe kit, wait a few days before gluing globe inside its wooden or plastic base. Remove bubbles by tilting globe, pulling stopper away from one side and filling globe with distilled water. Glue globe to base with glue gun.