DIY – Making Our Own Snow Globes!

My daughter and I decided to tackle a Christmas DIY craft project

over the weekend: handmade snow globes!

We saved several glass jars from jelly, olives, etc.,

soaking off the labels and removing any extra adhesive with Goo Gone.

Thought maybe we'd use a mason jar also, but it ended up being too large for our needs.

We found some small figurines at our local

Impact Thrift Store and at the dollar store.

We also bought distilled water from the grocery store

and some glycerin, which we found at a drug store.

Sequins and glitter were fun to pick out!

We used epoxy to glue the figurines to the inside of the lids.

Allow plenty of time to dry completely.

See that cute little snowman scene on the right?

(More on that later.)

Pour the distilled water into the jars.

Adding a few drops of glycerin allows the glitter to float longer

instead of sinking right to the bottom of the jar.

Add as much glitter as you'd like.

So, remember that snowman scene I'd mentioned above?

Turns out I was a bit over-zealous with my gluing,

which resulted in an over-crowded lid that wouldn't fit back on.

2 of the 3 pieces popped off, so I was back to the drawing board. Live and learn.

(I don't think Martha is worried about me usurping her throne.)

Sigh. I guess sometimes less really is more.

This little tree looks adorable all by himself.

In order to hide the salsa lettering on this lid,

I hot-glued on some cheery red burlap

and then topped with a twine bow. Cuteness.

Excuse the blurry photo, but I really wanted to show you

the blue sequins that we paired with a white bristle brush tree.

Winter wonderland!

What a fun way to spend a Sunday together!

We decided to display our snow globes on this

vintage aluminum tray that we found at a yard sale a few years back.

Impact Thrift Stores

Almost any magazine, blog or TV show about home and decorating includes

 advice on purging our unwanted items and organizing our homes.

Less is more. Minimize. Live simply.

During this season of spring cleaning and garage sales, 

consider bringing those unused items to an Impact Thrift Store.

It's a way of recycling back into the community.

So far there are four locations, all in southeastern Pennsylvania.

Impact Thrift Stores is a non-profit organization with a mission to assist local charities,

either financially or cooperatively, to help needy families by providing support, housing and food.

So, it's a win-win-win situation!

You can find lots of terrific things to buy there as well.

Sure, thrift stores have loads of clothes, accessories and home goods,

but what I'd like to recognize are some of the amazing furniture finds. 

Take this solid wood dresser for example, with its cute door and curved drawer.

You never know what treasures you may find!

How about these retro chairs? The Eames style is very cool.

 Another pair of chairs. Now, here's a reason for in-the-know fans of interior design to drool. 

These lounge chairs with sleek molded plywood arms, circa 1957, were made by Baumritter, 

as part of the Viko collection. Baumritter later changed its name to the now familiar Ethan Allen. 

 A gorgeous mid-century Danish Modern dining table with six chairs.

If you enjoy DIY, this is the place for you. 

Imagine this mirror becoming oh-so chic with a coat of paint in a funky color.

 Take a look at the wood frame of this chair. Great bones begging for a cushion update.

 An interesting accent table with an inlaid wood top sits next to a piano and two organs.

 In need of an affordable Tiffany-style light fixture above your pool table?

 You can place your bid at the silent auction, 

in hopes of getting an especially rare or valuable item at a real bargain.

Maybe this drum set... 

 ...or this adorable vintage car for your favorite mini-firefighter.

Shop or donate at an Impact in any of these towns:

Feasterville

Hatboro

Montgomeryville

Norristown

Visit their website to learn more about Impact Thrift Stores.

They're on Facebook too!