Craft Corner: Salt Snowflakes

This article is brought to you by Hagerty High School’s student-run newspaper, The Blueprint, through a partnership with Oviedo Community News called the Cub Reporter Program, which seeks to amplify young journalists’ work and their service to the community. You can also find this article on The Blueprint’s website.

Photo by Tess Frey

Snowflakes, made out of a few simple ingredients, are great for decorating around the house during wintertime. It is a fun way to go all out and get in the spirit of the season.

Winter weather is blowing away those orange leaves of fall, so it is time to transition decorations too. Having to buy new, replaceable decorations every year that end up in the landfill by the time summer rolls around is scarier than any winter blizzard. With a few accessible at-home materials, you can craft some one-of-a-kind salt snowflakes worthy of a chilly winter snow storm—or your home.

Materials and instructions

• Elmer’s white glue, or any other liquid glue
• Pencil/pen
• Salt
• Paintbrush
• Food coloring, watercolor paint, or liquid watercolors (any color of choice, but blue is recommended)
• Water
• Paper
• Ribbon or string (optional)
• Baking pan or cardboard box

Photo by Tess Frey

Step 1

Gather supplies.

Step 2

Using your paper, sketch out your snowflake design. It can be simple or complicated, just do not make it too crazy. It can be big or small—either way it is up to you. If you decide to make a wall hanging decoration or Christmas ornament, make sure to include a loop at one of the points. Place your paper on a baking sheet or in a cardboard box to catch any crumbs or excess.

Step 3

Take the glue and trace over the lines drawn with glue from the nozzle, trying to make it as accurate to the sketch as possible

Photo by Tess Frey

Step 4

Pour salt on top to completely cover the line of glue. Then, carefully pour excess salt off, and dispose of it. 

Photo by Tess Frey

Step 5

Dilute your coloring with water (regardless of the coloring you decide on), and, using a paintbrush, carefully drip the coloring onto the salt. Do not drench it; instead, let the salt spread and soak up each little drop of color.

Step 6

Once the snowflake is covered with color, allow it to dry overnight.

Congrats! You have created your very own, custom-made snowflake. They are great for decorating walls, customizing trees or as a homemade gift for friends and family. It makes for a great decoration or gift to bring your home into the cozy and cold season.