DIY Gumball Machine Snow Globe
Make a gumball machine snow globe. The red gumball machine is a perfect decorating piece for Christmas. Create a snowy winter wonderland in the globe that will bring a smile to anyone’s face.
Those little snowmen looking out of the globe are so sweet. I had a time getting them to stand up straight, but all is good now. I’m sharing a few tips and tricks just in case you are inspired by my project and would like to create something similar.
The gumball machine snow globe is sitting on my rustic wood trunk-turned coffee table alongside one of my vintage Christmas angels in a little vignette.
This is the gumball machine I posted about earlier. I bought it at the Nashville Flea Market for $10. It wasn’t a steal by any means, but I’ve been searching for one just for this purpose. So I bought it.
Just wingin’ the makeover since this is a new DIY for me. I first took the top of the gumball machine off and looked inside. The JTS and I talked it over and discussed several ways the project could come together.
I finally decided to remove a few of the pieces completely but leave the center pole inside. It holds everything together. I found a piece of cardboard and cut a circle to fit right down into the lip where the globe sits on the red base.
I put the plastic ring on top of the cardboard and the globe and red top back on to see if everything would fit together. And it did. I hot glued the cardboard to the base of the machine.
Next, I gathered my supplies for the snow scene. The mini snowmen, mini green trees, and fake snow came from Hobby Lobby.
I needed room at the base of the globe to build up a deep snow bed, so I hot glued a few wood chips to the cardboard base to raise the snowmen and a couple of the trees to varying heights.
I glued all the trees and snowmen to the base. In the photo above, you can see what I’m talking about. The snowmen would have been buried in the snow when I covered the white bases of the trees.
I put the globe over the display just to be sure it would fit. Everything looked good, and I was ready to move on to the next step.
I poured the fake snow and some Epsom Salt into the globe and screwed the top on. I tilted the newly made snow globe this way and that until I got the “snow” piled up just right! That was it. The top holds everything in place.
The project was a lot easier than I thought it would be. It took no time at all. I had all the supplies on hand. Or I should say, I used what I had on hand.
What do you think? Maybe I will take the snow scene out and make a display for Valentine’s Day. Hum.
You should see my large stash of vintage glass Christmas tree ornaments. Just click here!
Author:Â Kathy Owen
Kathy Owen is the founder of the home decor blog Petticoat Junktion where she shares tutorials on painting furniture and upcycling thrifty finds into unique home décor. Her DIY projects have been featured on the Home Depot Blog, Plaid Crafts, Behr Designer Series, and in numerous magazines. Kathy’s newest website is HappyHomeDIY.com
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This is so cute. My husband has an old gumball machine. Maybe I can talk him into transforming it into a snow globe – Probably not, but it’s worth a shot!!LOL Here’s wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a Happy Healthy New Year. I always enjoy your posts. Such creativity!!!
So cute! Perfect decoration!
OMGosh that’s just adorable! Thanks for the inspiration.
Merry Christmas!!!
Cutest ever!
I love this and I personally think $10 was a steal. I’ve made things like this using old dome clocks.
Love it! Reminds me of childhood Christmas.
I love this! Such a cute idea. Thanks for linking up to The Creative Exchange. We are featuring your project this week.
xo,
Laura
Wow!!!! In love with this!! Such an awesome upcycle! I have an old gumball machine in the basement that was on its way to the thrift store, but not after this 🙂 Can’t wait to make it!
This looks so adorable!! What a beautiful idea! Thanks so much for sharing!
It’s wonderful! Great job & great that it’s red. Merry Christmas!
Excellent idea! I will be looking for a gumball machine to put one of these together for my mother. Thanks!
I just love these gumball snowglobes I’ve been seeing around the blogosphere this holiday season. Yours is so adorable – love the figurines you used! Pinned to share.
Awww, it’s very cute! I’ve been looking for a little gumball machine to do something similar with!
Tania
Kathy, Your Gumball project is cute. Thank you for sharing the tutorial with us. Merry Christmas!!
Kathy, your Gumball Machine Snow globe is darling! Super cute!!
I LOVE it Kathy!….I have one of these and this will be a project for next year!….Great idea!
Have a most joyous Christmas Kathy…and a very happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year!