DIY cloche jars are simple and pretty ways to display seasonal decorations and even grow plants! Learn how to make a glass cloche in just five minutes with this simple tutorial.
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My love for miniatures started with a dollhouse Santa brought me the Christmas I turned five. I spent hours creating imaginary scenarios for the house’s occupants and making furniture and decorations for them. Later in elementary school, I fell deeply in love with the book “Goodbye Pink Pig,” about a little girl who escapes her challenging childhood by entering a magical world inhabited by all the characters from her miniature collection: a pink pig, a knight in shining armor, and an evil wizard.
I created my own miniature collection based on the book’s characters, but like the dollhouse and most childhood toys, I cast it aside when I grew up.
During a recent craft store visit, I spotted a few miniature animals in the fairy garden section and bought them on a whim.
But how do you decorate with figurines without looking like an 80-year-old tchotchke hoarder?
You put a cloche over them.
A Diorama for Grown-Ups
Glass cloches (also known as bell jars) were originally created as portable greenhouses in 19th century France. But do you remember those shoe-box dioramas you made in elementary school? Well, a glass cloche display is basically a classy diorama for grown-ups. You can use a cloche to:
- Create a scene in it as I did
- Display small treasures
- Make everyday objects look important
Enclosing an object or set of objects inside a glass cloche gives it instant importance, and is a physical barrier between your special stuff and your kiddo’s sticky fingers. (Get the Windex ready.)
DIY Cloche Supplies
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To make a glass cloche jar you only need four things, but before you go shopping check your house for supplies first! Although I bought the miniatures, I didn’t spend a dime on the other materials. Most of us have extra vases and you may even have an extra knob, too.
- Wide glass vase (a flat-bottom glass bowl or fish bowl also works)
- Cabinet knob (this is a pretty glass knob)
- Glue that adheres to glass (I used KrazyGlue)
- Cake stand, wood slice, plate, or similar item on which to place the finished cloche.
To create an Easter or Spring display similar to mine, you will also need:
- Preserved Spanish moss
- Miniature plants and animals (look for fairy garden accessories)
How to Make a Glass DIY Cloche
First, clean your glass vase and remove the screw from the knob. Then, turn the vase over and glue the knob to the “bottom” (which is now the top). Hold the knob in place for at least 30 seconds to allow the glue to set, and follow the glue’s guidelines for complete drying time.
You just made a DIY cloche, and there’s still four minutes on the clock!
Now, gather your miniatures or other objects you’d like to display and arrange them on the base. Here, I used a cake stand from the Target Dollar Spot, but you can also use a plate, wood slice, round trivet, or any other flat surface.
Everything’s Better Under a Cloche
Since you can use a homemade glass cloche to display anything – even living plants – this lightning-fast DIY cloche will last long after I pack away the Easter display. I’m already brainstorming ways to display tiny travel souvenirs under a cloche, and I’d love to track down my old miniature collection in my parents’ attic.
Do you have a glass cloche, or is this the first time you’ve heard of them? I’d love to know what you display in yours!
Check out these other ideas!
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