We finally have snow today, so let’s build a snowman. Our little snowman craft is displayed under a cloche or glass dome, a hot, home decorating trend. But here’s our secret – the glass dome is actually a repurposed plastic soda bottle. I thank Kathleen George for this clever idea.
How cute is this? And, the "cloche" is actually made from a two-liter plastic bottle. Brilliant!
I think kids would have a blast building the little scene under the cloche, and they can use a plastic knife to cut the STYROFOAM Brand Foam. Cutting through the plastic bottle requires a sharp knife, so be sure an adult is helping out on this project.
A snowy weekend is a good time to craft, so I’ve shared seven more snowman crafts that will warm your heart. No doubt there’s one you can make with craft supplies already in your stash, from paper and rope to felt and socks. Enjoy!
To make a Snowman Cloche, you’ll need:
- STYROFOAM Brand Foam: 6” x 1” disc; two 2” balls; one each 3” & 1 ½” balls
- 2-liter plastic soda bottle
- Adhesive remover (such as GooGone)
- Glitter, white
- High-loft quilt batting, 8” square
- Half-round beads, 5mm, black
- Wooden skewers
- Acrylic craft paint, orange
- Sparkle texture paint, white
- Micro marker, red
- Twigs
- Snowflake sequins
- Clear nylon thread
- Mod Podge
- Low-temp glue gun
- Optional: Blush, mini birds, bird seed, snow sequins & clear thread
- Tools needed: Utility blade; sharp pencil; serrated knife & old candle; plastic knife; small paintbrush; knippers; shoe box lid or newspaper; scissors
NOTE: An adult should always handle the serrated knife, and should cut the plastic soda bottle. Kids can use the plastic picnic knife for making the snowman.
To make your Snowman Cloche:
Make your cloche:
1. Use adhesive remover to remove the label from the soda bottle. Thoroughly clean and dry the bottle.
The foam ball on top should cover the threads on the neck of the plastic bottle.
2. Cut off the bottom of the plastic bottle with the utility knife. It’s o.k. if it’s a little uneven.
3. Place bottle in center of 6” foam disc and trace around it with the pencil. Remove bottle and trace around the circle again, making a deep groove. Position the bottle in the grooved circle and twist until it’s straight.
4. Using tip of serrated knife, cut a hole in the bottom of one 2″ ball so that it fits on the top of the bottle. Twist the ball onto the bottle until it completely covers the threads for the bottle top.
5. Set aside the foam ball and disc while you work on the project.
Make the snowman:
- Using the serrated knife cut a small slice from the bottom of the remaining foam balls. Cut a slice from the top of the 2” ball. Stack and glue the balls together, building your snowman.
- Insert a wood dowel into the bottom of the snowman and use it as a handle. Cover the snowman with Mod Podge. Working over a box lid or newspaper, sprinkle the wet snowman with white glitter. Gently press glitter into the Mod Podge. Place wood skewer in a jar while the snowman dries. Repeat, this time glittering the foam ball that fits on top of the cloche.
- Glue on beads for eyes. Paint end of wood skewer orange; let dry. Cut off orange end using knippers and insert carrot nose into snowman face. Draw on tiny mouth with red micro marker.
- Insert two small forked twigs into sides for arms.
Let the kids build the snowman and then assemble a snowy scene.
Create the snowman scene:
- Cut quilt batting into a circle to fit inside the circle drawn on the foam disc. Glue batting to center of disc.
- Cover outer rim of disc with quilt batting, but be careful not to cover the groove.
- Insert a 2” wood skewer halfway into bottom of snowman. Position snowman on the disc, slightly off center. Test to be sure the cloche will fit over the snowman. Once you like the position of the snowman, glue him in place.
- Trim several twigs and insert through the quilt batting and into the foam disc.
- Optional: Glue birds to “trees.” Glue bird seed to snowman’s “hands” and on the ground.
- Glue glittered ball to top of cloche.
- Glue clear thread to snowflake sequins; glue other end to inside of cloche.
- Brush textured paint onto snowman’s head, the tree branches, and on the base around the snowman.
- Place the cloche in place and display.
Here are seven more sweet snowmen, and instructions for each one are on StyrofoamCrafts.com. The photos link to the tutorials, so just click on the photo for the instructions.
These Scrunchy Felt Snowmen know how to bundle up!
Yeehaw! The Sledding Snow Buddies are ready for some fun. Can you believe that they're crafted from socks and tights?!
A square snowman? Why not! Textured paper and colorful buttons add to the fun.
These no-melt cuties are made with Crayola Model Magic and are designed by Lorine Mason.
Wrap 'em Up Snowman tips his hat.
Brrr! The Washtub Snowbabies, created by Lorine Mason, enjoy a brisk bubble bath.
Debra Quartermain, who is a whiz at designing with fabrics, created this ensemble from felt and foam.
Which of our snowmen is your favorite? I’d love to hear what you think about today’s snowman round up.
And finally, we have a winner of our Solar System kit – Carol Ebbers, who is looking forward to crafting a Solar System with her grandson. Congratulations, Carol, and please contact me so I can arrange for the shipping.
Happy crafting!
