Winter Snow Globes in Jelly Jar Light Fixtures

Winter Snow Globes in Jelly Jar Light Fixtures

Even though I’ve already made waterless snow globes before, I wanted to make a NEW version. You see, I found these jelly jar light fixtures at my Habitat ReStore and thought they’d be wonderfully upcycled into snow globes. But instead of making Christmas ones, I thought they’d be perfect for winter snow globes instead.

Jelly jar lights at Habitat ReStore

See what I mean? Definite snow globe potential!

And since I’m always short on good winter decor, I think that’s the route to go with. There are a few extra steps involved because these are light fixtures and not jars (with a sealing lid), but I thought it would be worth it! 

Upcycling a jelly jar light fixture

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Preparing the Jelly Jar Lights for a Winter Craft Idea

First things first, I removed all the wires and insulation using needle nose pliers and wire cutters.

Removing the electrical components from jelly jar lights

And while I could have left the bases white, I wanted a little bit of contrasting color.

Between the clear glass and the artificial snow I’d be using, that would be a LOT of white/paleness.

So, I used my favorite “galvanized” spray paint to do the job.

Spray painting the base of a jelly jar light fixture

Next, I brushed on my favorite matte top coat for protection after the spray paint had dried.

Decoupage glue as a matte top coat

Then, I needed to seal off any spaces/openings in the base so that my artificial snow couldn’t leak out. 

Covering up the holes in the base of a jelly jar light

So, I applied painter’s tape to the openings, and used hot glue like “caulk” to seal the holes. When the glue had cooled and hardened, I simply removed and discarded the tape.

Nature Scenes for Winter Snow Globes

For my first winter snow globe, I wanted to go “all natural” with just a tree and some mini pine cones.

First, I needed a wine cork that fit snugly in the light fixture socket. Once I found one, I cut it in half.

Next, I jabbed a small tree inside the center of the cork.

Tree for winter snow globes

You may recall that this was I’ve done something similar with wine corks before!

Then, I simply hot glued the cork inside the light socket- that was it!

Winter craft idea for unique snow globes

Now it was time to assemble my winter snow globe! Inside the jelly jar light, I added a handful of teeny tiny pine cones (like these, but mine were gold).

Winter snow globes as January craft ideas

Then, I measured out some artificial snow. This was a total guessing game, admittedly, but I *DID* get to use my adorable science-y measuring cups.

Next, I poured the snow over the pine cones.

Adding artificial snow to winter snow globes

Finally, it was the moment of truth.

I turned over the base, complete with the tree in the socket, and reattached it to the jelly jar light fixture using the original screws.

Jelly jar light fixture for January craft ideas

A Vintage Putz House for a Winter Snow Globe

But before I show you how my first winter snow globe turned out, I should warn you. I made a second one and it might be a wee bit controversial.

Why?

I painted an vintage putz house. I know- go ahead and gasp. Get it out of your system, I can handle it.

This is what it originally looked like. Cute, yes, but a little plain.

Vintage putz house to go in a winter snow globe

Our first house was pale blue with a dark grey roof and a bright red door. It was small and quirky, as many first homes are.

Anyway, I decided to paint the vintage Putz house to look like our old house!

Painting a vintage Putz house

I also snipped off the top of a new bottle brush tree and glued it to the base of the Putz house, too.

Now that you’ve seen how cute it is, can you forgive me?

After that, I simply hot glued the Putz house on top of the light socket inside one of my jelly jar light fixtures.

Winter snow globe with a vintage putz house

I did the same thing to this one- poured my favorite craft snow inside the jelly jar light, reattached the base, and turned it over.

And, oh, here’s how the serene nature scene version turned out!

Winter craft idea with jelly jar lights

Winter Snow Globes in Jelly Jar Light Fixtures

Aren’t they the sweetest things ever? The jelly jar light fixtures worked PERFECTLY as snow globes.

Repurposing a jelly jar light fixture as a winter snow globe

And that was it- my winter snow globes were done and as cute as can be. See? Snow globes aren’t just for Christmas after all!

Winter snow globes in jelly jar light fixtures

I’ll leave these out through February until it’s time to think Spring. But what do you think- do industrial light fixtures work for waterless snow globes, or what?

Speaking of winter and snowy weather, I hope you’ll check out my first book, “Crafting with Flannel“. It’s full of craft ideas that are perfect for this time of year!

diy wood coasters with flannel fabric

Looking for more winter decorating ideas? Perhaps my hutch display of thrifted treasures will inspire you!

Winter decorating ideas from the thrift store

Craft on!

S

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Sarah Ramberg is the owner of Sadie Seasongoods, a website that celebrates all things secondhand. From upcycling ideas and thrifted decor to vintage-centric travel itineraries, Sadie Seasongoods is a one-stop shop for anyone who loves thrifting and approachable repurposing ideas. Sarah is also the author of “Crafting with Flannel” and has been featured in numerous media outlets and magazines.

Comments

  1. Way cute! And I like the house repainted…much, much better. Great upcycle!

  2. Karen Benitez says

    So cute, Sarah!

  3. What a great idea!! Love it!!
    Hugs,
    Debbie

  4. Love this idea!!!

  5. Grace Horton says

    What a great project idea…. thank you for sharing.

  6. These are great you could even make spring ones. You are so talented. I love all the different seasons you can do them for.

  7. Debra A Wise says

    You are just so clever. What a cute idea!

  8. These “snow globes” are ADORABLE!!! Thank you so much for sharing your talent!!!
    Merry Christmas to you and yours!

  9. Those came out so much cuter than I ever would have guessed an old light fixture could look! Beautiful! And I like that they are “winter” and can stay out into the post Christmas months.

  10. Robyn Wright says

    Absolutely wonderful!

  11. Rita Corblies says

    A great repurpose..you have a lot of imagination. Merry Christmas.

  12. Mary E Loveland says

    Okay, how many times can you stand to see “cute”??? Sosososo CUTE! Go girl!

  13. I love the look of these two. They look very serene and homy and I just love looking at them. Great project. I guess when someone says “snow globes” they use the clear Christmas globes, but I like this idea better…….Thank you for sharing……

  14. Yep, I forgave you when I saw how cute the house was painted! Gotta check out my local Restore! They have lots of light fixtures! I love all winter decor, too! Scored a bunch of bottle brush trees at Joanne’s for 70% off–hurrah! Full price hurts my Scotch-Irish-Polish sense of thrift! Merry Christmas!

  15. These are flippin’ fantastic. So cute, very awesome.

  16. I had no doubt that they would work! You are very creative with anything you get your hands onto. They both turned out super cute! I never would of thought of using those for a snow globe.

  17. this is genius!! l collect gumball machines to make snowglobes but these are awesome!!

  18. acraftymix says

    Awwwwww Sarah, that’s so cool. Love how they turned out

  19. What a adorable idea! Love it.

  20. What a cute idea! Love the new colors of the house.

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