DIY Snow Globes & Charming Wooden Bead Ornaments: Festive Holiday Crafts

Updated at: 05/06/2025

The holiday season is a time for twinkling lights, cozy gatherings, and handcrafted decorations that add a personal touch to your festive celebrations. This year, ditch the mass-produced ornaments and embrace the joy of creating unique, charming decorations yourself! We'll guide you through two delightful DIY projects perfect for adding a whimsical and heartwarming ambiance to your home: enchanting snow globes and elegantly rustic wooden bead ornaments. These projects are surprisingly simple, requiring readily available materials and minimal crafting experience.

From shimmering miniature winter landscapes encased in glass to intricately designed wooden bead garlands, these festive crafts offer a wonderful opportunity to express your creativity and enjoy the therapeutic process of making something beautiful with your own hands. Ready to transform your holiday décor and embark on a fun, step-by-step crafting adventure? Let's dive into the detailed instructions and create some unforgettable holiday magic!

Preparation and Safety Guidelines

Tools Needed
  • Small container (jars)
  • Small toys or trinkets
  • Poly pellets
  • Glitter
  • Polymer clay or glue
  • Jute or twine
  • Wooden beads
  • Wire (for star ornament)
  • Paint (optional)
Safety Guidelines
  • Adult supervision is required, especially when using sharp objects like scissors or craft knives, and hot glue guns. Keep these tools away from children.
  • Ensure all materials, particularly those used inside the snow globe (e.g., figurines, glitter), are non-toxic and safe for intended use. Avoid using anything that could pose a choking hazard.
  • When working with glass jars for snow globes, handle them with care to prevent breakage. Dispose of broken glass properly.

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. DIY Snow Globe

    • Use small jars or any suitable container.
    • Select a small toy or trinket to place inside.
    • Use polymer clay or glue to attach the figurine to the jar lid.
    • Add poly pellets (artificial snow) and glitter to the jar.
    Fill with snow and glitter: Add poly pellets (artificial snow) and glitter to the jar.Fill with snow and glitter: Add poly pellets (artificial snow) and glitter to the jar.Fill with snow and glitter: Add poly pellets (artificial snow) and glitter to the jar.
    DIY Snow Globe
    • Put the lid on the jar, flip it over, and enjoy your snow globe!

  2. Wooden Bead Icicle Ornaments

    • Use jute or twine to string wooden beads of varying sizes. Start with smaller beads at the top and bottom and larger ones in the center.

  3. Wooden Bead Wreath Ornament

    • Use elastic to thread green and natural-colored beads into a circle, adding a bow for a festive touch.
    Create a bead wreath: Use elastic to thread green and natural-colored beads into a circle, adding a bow for a festive touch.
    Wooden Bead Wreath Ornament

  4. Wooden Bead Snowman Ornament

    • Paint three beads (different sizes optional) and string them onto jute. Add a face to the top bead.
    Make a snowman ornament: Paint three beads (different sizes optional) and string them onto jute. Add a face to the top bead.
    Wooden Bead Snowman Ornament

  5. Wooden Bead Star Ornament

    • This requires wire and is more complex; follow the tutorial on amylativecreations.com.

Read more: Crafting a Biodegradable Woodsman's Whistle: A Step-by-Step Guide

Tips

  • For young children, glue the lid of the snow globe to prevent them from removing it.
  • Polymer clay allows for easy changes of figurines in snow globes year after year.
  • Wooden bead ornaments can be painted for extra visual appeal.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Leaky Snow Globe

Reason: Improper sealing of the globe's opening, or using a glue that doesn't create a waterproof seal.
Solution: Ensure the glue completely seals the opening and use a waterproof adhesive specifically designed for glass.

2. Cloudy Snow Globe Water

Reason: Using tap water with impurities or not properly cleaning the inside of the globe before assembly.
Solution: Use distilled water and thoroughly clean the inside of the globe with a lint-free cloth and mild detergent.

3. Unevenly Distributed Beads on Ornaments

Reason: Not enough glue or glue applied unevenly when attaching the beads to the wooden shape.
Solution: Apply a thin and even layer of strong adhesive to the wooden shape before adding the beads, ensuring full coverage.

FAQs

What kind of glue is best for the snow globe?
A strong, waterproof adhesive like E6000 or a similar craft glue designed for glass and plastic is recommended for creating a lasting seal on your snow globe. Ensure it's completely dry before adding water.
Can I use any type of beads for the wooden bead ornaments?
While wooden beads are ideal, you can experiment with other materials like glass beads, pom-poms, or even small charms. Just make sure they're lightweight enough to hang easily and compatible with your chosen string or wire.
How do I prevent the glitter from clumping in the snow globe?
To avoid glitter clumping, gently stir the water and glitter mixture before sealing the snow globe. Using fine glitter and ensuring it’s evenly dispersed will also help. You can also add a tiny bit of glycerin to the water to help the glitter fall more slowly and evenly.