Twisted Santa holiday snow globe

Twisted Santa snow globe, Camryn Forrest Designs, Denver, COIf you’ve ever asked us “do you have any holiday snow globes” — you already know the answer is probably, “no.”

Keeping with the theme of unpredictable globes, non-traditional, quirky and sometimes downright odd, we didn’t see a need to create a snow globe that had been done a thousand times before. There are plenty of places you can find a holiday-themed snow globe, you don’t need us for that ordinary task.

But … we started a tradition last year, by request. We create one quirky version of a holiday snow globe, just for our own demented joy.

This year, it’s Twisted Santa.

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Twisted Santa snow globe, Camryn Forrest Designs, Denver, CO   Santa’s not twisted, as in demented, he’s twisted in that his beard and other details are all made from hand-twisted silver wire, right down to the curlicue eyebrows. The tiny gold rimmed spectacles are made from jump rings, and the airy santa hat is created from bendable sculpture wire mesh. Santa’s face and head are sculpted from clay, the base is painted wood finished with a leather reindeer collar and jingle bells. Yes, when you shake the globe to see the shimmery silver snow goodness flutter about, you’ll hear sleigh bells at the same time.

Twisted Santa, one of a kind custom snow globe. All images and designs copyright (c) 2014 Camryn Forrest Designs, Denver, Colorado, USA.

Making Christmas Time

It was a challenge, I think. Out of the blue I was asked, “Could you do a Christmas globe?”

I’ve avoided the theme Making Christmas Time snow globe, Camryn Forrest Designs, Denver, COout of pure stubbornness. It’s become such a cliche. After all, there are so many kitschy holiday theme snow globes to be found. From the big box stores to dollar deals, you can find santas and elves and sleighs galore.

On the other hand, I liked choosing the unexpected figures, an imaginative scene, something a little … well, different. But still, a challenge is a challenge, so I let it simmer. The idea bubbled, and I stirred the mixture in my mind, until one day, there were scenes I could picture, images I wanted to be real. I wanted to see if I could do what I imagined.

This is the third of my three holiday globes. “Making Christmas Time” is simple: a vingette of a tree being decorated. The “ornaments” are tiny watch gears (some call this watch glitter, the pieces are so small.) A single strand of fine gauge chain is unrolled from a spindle, over one man’s shoulder, into another’s hands, across ladders, and reaching arms. You can write your own story, but this is mine: The Christmas we build each year is the time we spend on what is important.

Making Christmas Time.

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Detail, Making Christmas Time custom snow globe, Camryn Forrest Designs, 2013  Detail, Making Christmas Time custom snow globe, Camryn Forrest Designs, 2013  Detail, Making Christmas Time custom snow globe, Camryn Forrest Designs, 2013

“Making Christmas Time” one of a kind water globe (snow globe), with 4-inch diameter glass globe and interior scene of repurposed jewelry, watch gears and tiny figures. Interior liquid shimmers with gold dust when globe is shaken. All images and designs copyright (c) 2013 Camryn Forrest Designs, Denver, Colorado.