DIY Snow Globe Using Old Incandescent Light Bulbs: A Step-by-Step Guide

If you have an old incandescent light bulb lying around and are looking for a fun, creative project, why not transform it into a beautiful snow globe?

Step 1: Materials and Tools

Before you begin, gather the following materials and tools to ensure you have everything you need to complete this project.

Materials:

• Incandescent light bulbs (old or unused)
• Small figurines or toys that can fit inside the light bulb
• Glitter and/or crushed eggshells* (to simulate snow)
• Glycerine (to slow down the fall of glitter)
• Distilled water or boiled, cooled tap water
• LED candle (optional, for upright version)
• Cork
• Bottle cap (that fits the neck of the light bulb)
• Clear silicone sealant (aquarium sealant) or waterproof glue

Tools:

• Pliers
• Screwdriver or knife
• Tweezers
• Steel wool or kitchen scrubby
• Old sock (to protect your hands when dismantling the light bulb)
• Egg carton (helps hold the bulb steady while you work on it)

Snow: For snow, crushed eggshells work perfectly. Simply hard-boil an egg, remove the shell, and crush it into small pieces using a spoon. Be sure to discard the thin membrane inside the shell, as it can stick to the glass.

Step 2: Preparing the Light Bulb

Safety First: Taking apart a light bulb can be messy and dangerous, as the glass is fragile and may break. To ensure your safety, wear protective glasses and gloves. Handle the bulb carefully, and be cautious of the sharp edges.

Here’s how to dismantle the bulb:

1. Remove the Shiny Contact Point: Using pliers, grip and remove the small shiny contact point (the metal part) at the tip of the light bulb.
2. Break the Glass: With a knife or screwdriver, break apart the brown/black glass at the end of the bulb. Cover the bulb with an old sock to protect your hands while applying pressure with pliers or a screwdriver to break up the filament inside.
3. Remove the Filament: Use pliers to remove any broken filament bits still attached to the inside of the bulb.
4. Remove the Metal Base: Work a knife under the metal base and carefully remove it. It should come off fairly easily with a little pressure.
5. Clean the Bulb: Rinse the inside of the bulb to remove any frosted coating. If it doesn’t come off easily, try adding some salt or sand, swirl it around, and rinse again.
6. Clean the Exterior: Use steel wool or a kitchen scrubby to remove the label and any remaining residue from the bulb’s surface.

Step 3: Snowman Snow Globe (Upright Lightbulb Version)

For this version, we’re using a small refrigerator-style bulb. The added bonus of using an LED candle as a base makes this snow globe design truly magical.

Preparing the LED Candle:

1. Remove the flame from the LED candle by gently prying off the glue that holds it in place. You can use a knife to do this.
2. Prepare the bottle cap by centering it over the LED and marking where you need to make a hole for the LED light to fit through. Use an awl to create the hole and enlarge it with pliers.

Building the Base:

1. Take a cork and cut a small piece from the end, just a little smaller than the height of the bottle cap. Then, drill a hole in the center of the cork so it fits snugly over the LED light.
2. Attach the bottle cap to the LED candle with waterproof glue, ensuring it fits tightly. Seal any gaps around the hole with silicone sealant to keep water from getting inside the LED.
3. Attach the cork to the bottle cap using waterproof glue, making sure the light bulb’s neck still fits into the bottle cap.

Snowman Scene:

1. Glue the snowman figurine (or other small decorations) onto the cork, ensuring it doesn’t block the LED light.
2. Add crushed eggshells (for snow), glitter, and a few drops of glycerine to the inside of the light bulb. Fill the bulb about three-quarters of the way with distilled water or boiled, cooled tap water.
3. Top up the bulb with more water, leaving just enough space for the items to move freely when the globe is shaken.

Sealing the Snow Globe:

1. Apply silicone sealant around the inside rim of the bottle cap.
2. Carefully place the bottle cap onto the neck of the light bulb and apply sealant around the outer rim to secure it in place.
3. Leave the snow globe upside down for 48 hours or longer (depending on the sealant instructions) to ensure the sealant has fully cured before flipping it back over.

Step 4: Santa and Reindeer Snow Globe (Side-Lying Lightbulb Version)

For this version, we’ll use a larger bulb and place it on its side to create a whimsical scene with Santa and his reindeer.

1. Attach the Santa and reindeer figurines to the inside of the bulb using silicone sealant or waterproof glue.
2. Spread glue around the figurines and sprinkle some crushed eggshells on the glue to create a snowy ground.
3. Allow the sealant to cure completely before proceeding.

Filling the Globe:

1. Add crushed eggshells (snow) and glitter to the inside of the light bulb, then pour in distilled or boiled, cooled tap water. Fill about three-quarters of the way.
2. Add glycerine to help slow the movement of the glitter.
3. Top off the bulb with water, filling it as high as possible without overflowing.

Sealing the Snow Globe:

1. Apply silicone sealant to the inside rim of the bottle cap.
2. Place the bottle cap onto the neck of the light bulb and seal around the outer edge with more silicone.
3. Allow the globe to sit upside down for a minimum of 48 hours, giving the sealant ample time to cure.

Conclusion

Creating a snow globe from an old incandescent light bulb is a rewarding and imaginative craft that lets you repurpose an everyday item into something truly unique.

With patience and attention to detail, you can craft a whimsical scene inside a light bulb that will sparkle and delight all year round.

Whether you choose to create a snowman, a Santa and reindeer, or a small angel, each snow globe will be a one-of-a-kind decoration that adds charm to your home or makes a thoughtful handmade gift. Happy crafting!

Project Via Instructables – Download PDF Instructions here.