Snow Globe Proposal Tutorial

The video above is of the finished custom snow globe I made in order to propose to my wife.  I have had several people ask for a tutorial on how I made it so I will try describe.  This is my first tutorial so bear with me...

Parts List:
(Click on links to go to source)

Snow Globe Parts

New Gasket and Mold Making Materials
(Below is what I used but I am thinking about looking into creating a more "professional" mold using a 3D printed or machined mold body)

Music Box and Ring Holder


Instructions:
(Note: These are the steps I took... your steps could be different depending on what materials you have on hand and what design elements you wish to incorporate.  I have received several inquiries into offering custom proposal snowglobes to order which I am currently considering the feasibility and if I can streamline the process.  Stay Tuned!)

1. The glass globes from National Artcraft come with a rubber sealing gasket. You will need to keep the sealing gasket for the 6" globe on hand, the 3-1/8" gasket will not be needed.
    



2. Since we want the small globe to nest within the large globe, ideally at its center so it looks the same from all sides, we will need to make a new sealing gasket that has the following features: (1) seals against the inside of the large globe, (2) seals against the outside of the small globe, and (3) centers the small globe within the large globe.
    • Take the sealing gasket that came with the 6" globe and place it in a tupper ware dish - FLAT SIDE DOWN - that has sufficient room to lay the gasket flat with around 1/2"-1" around all sides.  You can use double sided tape to hold it down flat. (Alternatively you could build a mold box as is described here.)
    • Spray the gasket with mold release spray to help prevent the pourable rubber from sticking to the gasket.
    • Mix up enough silicone rubber (per product instructions) to completely surround the gasket and up to the height of the gasket. Be careful not to pour too much in as you will need to trim any excess material if you pour it over the top of the gasket.
    • Let the silicone rubber dry per instructions and remove the gasket from the the poured rubber, we now have an exterior mold of the gasket (which itself is an interior mold of the large globe sealing surface).
3. Next, we need to build additional mold structure to create the new gasket.  We want the new gasket to hold and raise the small globe in the center of the large globe.
    • I used a 2" to 2.5" copper reducing coupling to create the mold surface for the inside of my gasket, the pass through where the ring goes into the empty inner globe.  The reducing coupling has a nice step down surface and the 2" side matches closely the outer diameter of the neck of the small globe.
    • You will need to cut the 2" side of the reducing coupling down with a pipe cutter to get your ideal gasket height in order to center the small globe within the larger one.
    • Then tape the small globe to the top of the 2" reducer.
    • To make the top surface of the new gasket we want the shape to slope from the neck of the large globe up to the neck of the small globe so it looks like the small globe is planted on top of a gentle sloping hill when we are done.  I used one of the orange disc cones and cut it to size so the hole fit snugly around the bottom of the small globe, and the outside diameter was equal to that of the new gasket mold we made in step 2.  However, you could use something else, or make your own cone out of a thin plastic sheet.
4.Take your cone and attach it to the outside of the neck of the small globe, close to where the neck transitions into the round globe part. You can use tape or hot glue, or some sort of removable putty. In this step the small globe will be part of the mold to make the gasket. Once you have all the parts assembled we will need to turn the small globe, reducing coupling, and cone upside down (find a way to support the globe, I used a tall mixing cup to help support it).Then place the mold we made in Step 2 on top of the cone and secure to keep rubber material from leaking out.


5. Now you should have a cavity to pour your silicone rubber into that will create a gasket that seals to the outside of the small globe, to the inside of the large globe, and has a shape that will look nice and transition between the two globes to center the small globe within the large.  Mold release spray is your friend, but keep in mind that you will have to clean your new gasket thoroughly so that the silicone adhesive will bond in the last step. **Optionally you can use Silicone Rubber Pigment to die the new gasket to a color of your choice to better match the theme of your snowglobe.**


6. Once your new gasket has dried, remove it from the cone and coupling mold and trim any excess material off the edges.  Clean all the parts thoroughly to remove the mold release. Then use the silicone adhesive to bond the small globe into the new gasket. Let dry.


7. Add any decorations to the top of the new gasket that you would like to be inside the snowglobe.  Note: choose decorations that will not deteriorate or rust, potentially contaminating the inside of your snowglobe.


8. Add snowglobe flakes or plastic glitter to the inside of the large globe and pour in about 2/3 full of mineral oil. Mineral is used as it is much thicker than water so when you shake it the snow flakes float more slowly for better effect.  Also, using mineral oil over water prevents any algae or other things that come in water from fouling up your snowglobe down the road. You want to test fit the new gasket into the large globe carefully to make sure you don't overflow the mineral oil. A small plastic syringe can be used to then add additional mineral oil as needed to completely fill the globe with the gasket in place. Try to remove as much of the air bubbles as possible.

9. Use the silicone adhesive and seal the gasket in place.  Let dry before turning rightside up.

10. Music Box..........

11. Ring Holder.....

12. Snow Globe Base......

**I Will Be Adding Pictures and More Details Soon!!**