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Mel's Place

How to Make a Snow Globe Cup: An Easy DIY Snow Globe Tumbler Tutorial for Beginners

Aug 30
6 min read

Have you ever wondered how to make a snow globe cup at home? Snow globe cups are fun, sparkly, and completely customizable, making them a popular choice for tumbler makers, crafters, and small businesses.

If you're looking for an easy snow globe cup tutorial for beginners, you're in the right place! In this guide, we'll walk through the basic steps for making a beautiful glitter-filled snow globe cup and share tips for choosing the right snow globe tumbler supplies.

At Mel's Place, we love helping cup makers find fun and affordable supplies for their next creative project, including glitter, snow globe cups, cup wraps, UV DTF cup wraps, and polymer clay sprinkles.


What Is a Snow Globe Cup?

A snow globe cup is a double-walled tumbler with a liquid-filled chamber containing glitter and decorative pieces. When you shake the cup, the glitter and decorations slowly float and swirl around, creating a fun snow globe effect.

If you're searching for how to make a glitter snow globe tumbler, the basic idea is to combine a compatible snow globe cup with liquid, glitter, and decorative elements and then securely seal the bottom of your cup.

Snow globe cups can be customized for almost any occasion, including:

  • Birthday gifts

  • Valentine's Day cups

  • Halloween tumblers

  • Christmas cups

  • Teacher gifts

  • Personalized gifts

  • Small business products

  • Craft fair products

  • Custom tumbler orders


Snow Globe Cup Supplies You'll Need

Before starting your DIY snow globe cup, gather your supplies.

Basic Snow Globe Tumbler Supplies

You'll typically need:

  • Snow globe tumbler or snow globe cup

  • Distilled water

  • Glycerin

  • Craft glitter

  • Polymer clay sprinkles

  • Decorative pieces

  • Filling tools

  • Funnel or syringe

  • Appropriate adhesive or sealant

  • Paper towels

  • Gloves

  • Clean workspace

If you're wondering what supplies do I need to make a snow globe cup, this list is a great place to start.

The exact supplies and filling process can vary depending on the specific snow globe cup you're using, so always follow the manufacturer's instructions.


Step 1: Choose the Right Snow Globe Cup

The first step in learning how to make a snow globe tumbler is choosing a cup designed for this type of project.

Snow globe cups are available in different sizes, shapes, and styles. Choose a cup based on the type of design you're creating and the amount of decoration you want inside.

If you're a beginner, starting with a simple snow globe cup can make the process easier while you learn how the glitter and liquid move.


Step 2: Choose Your Glitter and Decorations

Choosing glitter is one of the most exciting parts of making a DIY glitter snow globe cup.

You can use different types of glitter to create different effects, including:

  • Fine glitter

  • Chunky glitter

  • Iridescent glitter

  • Holographic glitter

  • Specialty-shaped glitter

You can also add polymer clay sprinkles and other lightweight decorative pieces.

For example, if you're making a Valentine's Day snow globe cup, you could use pink and white glitter with heart-shaped polymer clay sprinkles.

For Halloween, try orange, purple, and black glitter with pumpkins, ghosts, bats, or other spooky decorations.

How Much Glitter Should You Put in a Snow Globe Cup?

One of the most common questions beginners ask is how much glitter to put in a snow globe tumbler.

The answer depends on the size of your cup and the type of glitter you're using.

Start with a small amount and test how it moves through your liquid. You can always add more glitter, but adding too much can make the cup look crowded and may prevent the glitter from floating properly.


Step 3: Prepare Your Liquid Mixture

A common method for making a snow globe cup uses distilled water and glycerin.

Glycerin can help slow the movement of glitter, giving your cup that beautiful floating snow globe effect.

If you're searching for what liquid goes inside a snow globe cup, distilled water and glycerin are commonly used materials.

The ideal mixture can vary depending on your glitter, decorations, cup size, and desired movement.

For best results, test your mixture before filling your finished cup.


Step 4: Add the Glitter

Carefully add your glitter to the snow globe cup.

Using a funnel or appropriate filling tool can help make the process easier and reduce spills.

Start small and test the movement of the glitter before adding additional glitter.

This is especially important when learning how to make a snow globe tumbler for beginners.

Step 5: Add Polymer Clay Sprinkles and Decorations

Now it's time to personalize your cup!

Polymer clay sprinkles are a fun way to add color and personality to your snow globe tumbler.

You can create themed cups using:

  • Hearts

  • Stars

  • Flowers

  • Snowflakes

  • Pumpkins

  • Ghosts

  • Bats

  • Christmas shapes

  • Birthday decorations

When choosing decorations for a liquid-filled cup, use materials that are appropriate for your project and avoid adding too many heavy pieces.


Step 6: Fill Your Snow Globe Cup

Carefully fill the chamber with your prepared liquid mixture.

If you're learning how to fill a snow globe cup without making a mess, take your time and use an appropriate filling tool.

Avoid overfilling the chamber.

Depending on the design of your snow globe cup, you'll want to leave the appropriate amount of space so the glitter and decorations can move freely.


Step 7: Seal the Snow Globe Cup

Properly sealing your cup is one of the most important steps.

Follow the manufacturer's instructions for your particular snow globe cup and use an adhesive or sealant appropriate for the project.

Make sure the opening is completely secure before moving on.

If you're making cups to sell, allow the adhesive or sealant to fully cure according to the product instructions.

Never rush the curing process.

Step 8: Decorate the Outside of Your Snow Globe Tumbler

Once the inside of your cup is complete, it's time to decorate the outside!

This is where cup wraps and UV DTF designs can really make your custom snow globe tumbler stand out.

You can match the outside design to the glitter and decorations inside the cup.

For example:

Pink Valentine's Day Snow Globe CupPink glitter + white glitter + heart sprinkles + Valentine's UV DTF wrap

Spooky Halloween Snow Globe TumblerBlack glitter + orange glitter + Halloween sprinkles + spooky cup wrap

Christmas Snow Globe CupRed and green glitter + snowflakes + Christmas sprinkles + festive cup wrap

The possibilities are endless!

Step 9: Allow Your Snow Globe Cup to Cure

Before using, washing, packaging, or selling your finished cup, allow all adhesives and sealants to fully cure.

Follow the manufacturer's recommended curing time.

This is especially important if you're making snow globe tumblers to sell online or at craft fairs.

Step 10: Test Your Finished Snow Globe Cup

Once everything has cured, gently shake your cup and watch the glitter swirl!

Check for:

  • Leaks

  • Loose seals

  • Cracks

  • Excessive air bubbles

  • Glitter movement

  • Loose decorations

If everything looks good, your DIY snow globe tumbler is ready!

Snow Globe Cup Ideas for Beginners

Need inspiration for your next cup?

Try creating:

Cute Girly Snow Globe Cups

Use pink, white, holographic, or iridescent glitter with hearts, flowers, bows, or other cute decorations.

Seasonal Snow Globe Tumblers

Create designs for Valentine's Day, Easter, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and other holidays.

Birthday Snow Globe Cups

Use colorful glitter and birthday-themed polymer clay sprinkles to create a fun personalized gift.

Custom Small Business Snow Globe Cups

If you make tumblers for customers, consider offering personalized names, colors, favorite characters, hobbies, or seasonal themes.

Common Snow Globe Cup Questions

What liquid do you use in a snow globe cup?

Many snow globe cup makers use distilled water and glycerin. The exact mixture can vary depending on the cup, glitter, decorations, and desired movement.

What kind of glitter is best for snow globe tumblers?

Fine, chunky, holographic, and iridescent glitter can all create beautiful effects. Experiment with different combinations to find the look you like best.

Can you put polymer clay sprinkles in a snow globe cup?

Lightweight polymer clay decorations can be used in some snow globe cup projects. Always make sure the materials are suitable for your specific cup and liquid-filled application.


How do you keep glitter from falling too fast in a snow globe cup?

Glycerin is commonly used to slow the movement of glitter. The amount needed can vary, so testing your mixture before filling your final cup is recommended.


Are snow globe cups good for a small business?

Yes! Snow globe cups can be a fun addition to a handmade tumbler business. They can be customized for holidays, birthdays, special events, and personalized customer orders.


Where to Buy Snow Globe Cup Supplies

Ready to start your next DIY snow globe cup project?

At Mel's Place, we offer a variety of craft and cup-making supplies designed to help you bring your ideas to life.

Shop supplies including:

  • Snow globe cups

  • Polyester Glitter

  • Cup wraps

  • UV DTF cup wraps

  • Polymer clay sprinkles

  • Straw toppers

  • Craft bundles

  • And more!

Whether you're learning how to make a snow globe cup for the first time or you're an experienced tumbler maker looking for new supplies, Mel's Place is your one-stop shop for creative cup-making supplies.

Shop online at www.melsplace.net and start creating your next custom snow globe tumbler!

Final Thoughts: Making Your Own Snow Globe Cup

Learning how to make a snow globe cup is a fun and creative way to personalize your drinkware. From choosing your glitter and polymer clay sprinkles to creating the perfect cup wrap, there are so many ways to make each snow globe tumbler unique.

Start with a simple design, experiment with different glitter combinations, and don't be afraid to get creative!

And remember—your next favorite cup could start with just a little glitter and a lot of creativity. 💕✨

Happy crafting from Mel's Place!

 
 
 

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