Why Won't Glitter Work in my homemade snow globe (even with glycerin) =(((???

Question

dangit, i'm so annoyed. i'm suppose to demonstrate how to make a homemade snow globe for class in 2 days and the glitter sticks to the top like a cloud. yes, i've tried glycerin - i've tried a little or alot,. nothing works =(((. i've tried eggshells too. they fell wayyy to quick even with glycerin. is glitter just more light weight than it used to be cause like every website says "use glitter" but it doesnt work!!! plus, is there anything else i could use that would fall right??? please help!!!

Answer 1

First, there are different kinds of glitter.
Are you using the metallic kind that's really cheap and fairly large (gold, silver, red metallic etc.?)... if so, those are usually made from metal.
Or are you using the heat resistant glitters intended primarily for rubberstamping and decorating clothing ... if so, those are polyester, and are usually fairly small pieces.

In the snowglobes I've made, I've used the holographic glitter made for clothing/etc, and it works well .... it's kind of whitish and opalescent, and comes in various sizes.

The only bits I've used that floated rather than falling were the ones with air in them, and/or larger plastic items like beads. (I generally use up to 50% glycerin, but there are other things you could use too if things fall too fast, and I also use distilled water though I don't think that would matter for short term).

You might want to look on this page at my website where making snowglobes is discussed, for more info and maybe some ideas of what you might be doing differently.

I'd definitely try other types of falling stuff though... different glitter for sure, but other things will work like crushed mothballs, for example:
http://glassattic.com/polymer/outdoor_snowglobes_fountains.htm
(... look especially for the area that talks about "FALLLING BITS" that can be used, under the category "Basic Informationfor Making Snowglobes"...)


HTH,

Diane B.

Answer 2

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Why Won't Glitter Work in my homemade snow globe (even with glycerin) =(((???
dangit, i'm so annoyed. i'm suppose to demonstrate how to make a homemade snow globe for class in 2 days and the glitter sticks to the top like a cloud. yes, i've tried glycerin - i've tried a little or alot,. nothing works =(((. i've tried eggshells too. they fell wayyy to...

Answer 3

What about christmas ornaments for a $1 or less? Or plastic animals in the toy section. Or perhaps a toy found in a gumball machine? Depending on who it is for, you can think of something they like and use that for an idea.

Answer 4

try mineral oil.