Dare to Make It: Holiday

How to Make a Snowstorm

comments (40) December 1st, 2008

Jeffery Rudell, contributor

184 users recommend

Say goodbye to hand-cut snowflakes taped to windows. Instead, try a curtain of whimsical flakes hung on strands of dental floss.

A guestroom plays host to a man-made snowstorm. The improbability of finding a flurry of white paper dots floating above his or her bed will charm and delight any visitor.

Hung like beaded curtains in front of windows, these snowflakes make a subtle, modern, and whimsical addition to any seasonal room décor.

Say goodbye to hand-cut snowflakes taped to windows. Instead, try a curtain of whimsical flakes hung on strands of dental floss.

Photo: Jeff Rudell

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A friend of mine visiting from the tropics wanted, more than anything, to see snow. Unfortunately, he was visiting during the Thanksgiving holiday when snow in New York (while not impossible) is unlikely. Not wanting to disappoint him, I set to work on "approximating" the effect. As is my rule around the holidays, the project had to be simple, inexpensive, and fun.

So, in contrast to my chandelier post, I offer a low-skill, high-impact project sure to surprise your guests (and your family) and help put you in the spirit of the season (regardless of whether the weather is cooperating with you or not).

Simple labels (1-inch circles) and some dental floss is all you need to make a winter wonderland.

Attach the dental floss to the adhesive side of a label.

Place a second label over the top of the first, sandwiching the dental floss between the two.

Randomly space your labels along the length of dental floss to give your finished snowstorm a natural look.

Hang finished strands in front of windows using small pieces of masking tape affixed to the tops of the window frames.

The slightest breeze will cause your "snowflakes" to move, which will will subtly animate a room—especially a dining room in candlelight.

Hung in a bedroom, this snowstorm cannot fail to bring a smile of surprise to the face of any guests.

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Comments (40)

Rooty_Tooty writes: Love it! This reminds me of the bead curtainsthat were popular for use in doorways back in the 60's or 70's. This wouldbe pretty with some variation in the size of the dots or if you used large sequins or spangles. I have seen them in various shapes, too. Also, I have a paper punch that cuts snowflakes about 1" in diameter. It would be easy to add a few of those if you used a snowflake on one side & a small adhesive dot on the other side just big enough to cover the center of the snow flake. You could vary the shade & also the sheen of your paper a litle or add some irridescent glitter to some of your "snowflakes". This be very intriging for a baby to watch. Be careful to keep it out of reach & also make from child-safe materials just in case some of the "snowflakes" fall down.
Posted: 11:13 pm on March 15th

Stile writes: wow! Just wow. So simple, yet makes a dramatic statement. Love the idea and looking forward to making my own.
Posted: 1:38 pm on January 17th

fhacker writes: I also like mrsbeanie's suggestion to incorporate words and other things into the creation, thats a great addition.
Posted: 10:57 pm on January 10th

fhacker writes: Thats a great idea to continue the holiday cheer into january and february when most people have already packed up their other holiday decorations.
Posted: 10:54 pm on January 10th

thistlemom writes: I didn't have dental floss on hand so I raided my husbands' tackle box and used fishing line - now it looks like my snowflakes are floating in the breeze
Posted: 6:50 pm on December 11th

AKUA writes: Brilliant Elegant
Posted: 12:56 am on December 3rd

Istich writes: Can'T wait to try this. Looks great. For Tally's comment, instead of glue, try double sided tape :)
Posted: 8:42 pm on December 2nd

minniemack writes: As a dyed-in-the-wool recycled I couldn't advocate BUYING anything for this project, so I'm going to punch out something myself from scrap paper and use a glue stick. Maybe circles, maybe snowflakes...
Posted: 4:12 pm on December 2nd

LisaS2 writes: I love this idea, but I'm thinking of doing it more as a holiday look, using GOLD cording and GOLD stickers, dangling from the dining room lighting fixture for an elegant dinner party - I'm not crazy about snow and would love a warmer, richer look like gold. Thanks for the inspiration!
lisa
www.CulturedExpressions.com
Posted: 4:04 pm on December 2nd

Claudiasstudio writes: I have to send this to my grandkids in Arkansas!
Posted: 4:03 pm on December 2nd

mrsbeanie writes: I manage an elementary school cafeteria and I used this wonderful idea along the serving lines!!!!! I cut out letters that say "let it snow" as well a large clip art of cute penquins, snowman and polar bear. I still have them up as we live in the midwest and the snow can fly until April. The kids just love it!! It's even "cooler" when the heat vents kick on and the snow really starts to swirl :o) Thanks for great idea!
Posted: 8:07 pm on January 25th

mimilee writes: I Love this idea. I will do it next year with glitter added to the white dots.
Posted: 12:37 pm on January 8th

bibay writes: çok güzel-woderfull
Posted: 1:02 pm on January 2nd

purplebouquet writes: Fabulous project. I made this with my daugther's 4th grade class during the school's Christmas/Holiday party. It was a simple and non-messy activity, but the collective effect was wonderful. Plus, the "curtain" can stay up through the next month or two.
Thanks for the idea.
Posted: 10:20 am on December 30th

artsie_one writes: What a cool idea! My students and I made these using fishing line instead of the dental floss and those hole reinforcers for notebook paper. The reinforcers worked great as they can be put together back to back like the labels in the instructions. We used clear and white ones and then added some foil star stickers for a really fun effect! The fishing line is on a bobbin so it comes out curled. You could choose to leave it curly for a really blizzardy look or straighten it like we did by attaching small clothespins to the bottom of each one overnight. The next day they'll be almost straight ... leave the clothespins on longer if you'd like them super straight.
Posted: 7:53 pm on December 21st

ChristineClark writes: Wow, what a beautiful project - the best of it is that it looks easy enough for my kids to do too. Thank you very much for this great project.
Posted: 7:37 pm on December 15th

LAURAMCHUGH writes: Jeff, Another great project. Thanks for coming up with all your fun creative projects. This is one that my students loved and will be trying at home. I can see this being done for fall with nice colorful leaves, spring with flowers and bugs. Thanks again for all the great projects and this one is one that we all can try and have fun with.
Posted: 4:20 pm on December 15th

LuLuFuFu writes: I made one of my own, but used a 5/16" dowel & added 3/4" stickers into the mix. I love it.
Posted: 4:49 pm on December 14th

discodotty writes: this is "wicked cool", a nice alternative to making those snowflakes again this year!
Posted: 8:55 am on December 9th

Eiluj writes: I got the cheapest floss they had at the drugstore and a pack of white dots and a pack of reinforcement stickers (you know, the holes) which has given my snow strands a slightly different look. I can hardly wait to go home to hang these in front of our windows. I love this idea! I've got several coworkers helping me make snow strands on their breaks but everyone wants to do them for home too. So fun!!
Posted: 5:06 pm on December 8th

Louella writes: It looks cool! Get it? I have seen this done with those round mirrors that you can get at the craft store too, those look good too! Louella
Posted: 3:53 am on December 7th

bec_sewpro writes: I think I'll try this with fishing line & those foam self stick snowflakes. This is do-able for kids. Love it.
Posted: 7:43 pm on December 6th

Patsy3030 writes: Thank you for such a beautiful idea. My son is serving his third tour of duty in Iraq and this will be the first time he's there through Christmas. This is the perfect way to send him snow.
Posted: 12:20 pm on December 6th

mltbkr writes: wow very cool. I'm from chicago and of course there is snow everywhere this morning, except in my house ! I'll fix that with this awesome project. Thank you great idea !
Posted: 10:16 am on December 6th

ClothDollmaker writes: As a Yankee transplanted to the south, snow is one thing I miss in the winter. This is just the ticket!
In addition to the dots, I think I'm going to add some shisha mirrors also just to add a bit of sparkle!
AWESOME project!
Denise
Posted: 9:38 am on December 6th

peacebypiece7 writes: Your projects are awe-inspiring and so simple to do. This one would be terrific for my special needs kids. Thanks so much!
Posted: 6:32 am on December 6th

granitatogo writes: Thank you for this. we live next to the sea in Crete. It snows at our house maybe once every eighty years!!

this is a lovely design. making this project and hanging up our 'snow' will help us keep in the spirit of giving for the holidays!
Posted: 5:37 am on December 6th

pomly writes: So clever! My 4 yr old is going to LOVE this project.
Posted: 2:30 am on December 6th

linsight writes: Ooooo! I'll be making this for my apartment - i can't wait to see what this looks like hung behind our purple and aqua sheers!

Thanks!
Posted: 1:41 pm on December 5th

islandgirlart writes: This is fabulous. I would love to make these and hang them in my elementary artroom windows!!!!! My students would be very excited. A perfect project for some after school teacher's kids!!!
Thanks
Just think, how beautiful for someone stuck in a hospital to hang these in the room somewhere! Almost 'magical'!
Posted: 12:47 pm on December 5th

quitethecrow writes: Jeffery, you've done it again. These "snowflake" strands are just beautiful and quite quick to assemble. Thank you for continuing to inspire!
Posted: 10:29 am on December 5th

Deana writes: So beautiful.
Posted: 9:41 pm on December 3rd

JenniferStern writes: I'm sitting here fighting with my too-small circle rings trying to make my wreath--maybe I'll get the dental floss!!!
Posted: 8:32 am on December 2nd

leethal writes: brilliant!! love it!
Posted: 4:52 pm on December 1st

Messmaker writes: my mom loves the snow and we live in louisiana - which means, no snow for us. she'd love this! i wonder if you put just a small amount of a white glitter on it and then lit up in the window....... hmmmm....
Posted: 3:15 pm on December 1st

RubyKitty writes: That's such an elegant design, it looks really effective.
Posted: 1:13 pm on December 1st

Tally writes: Nice idea for a person like me loving snow and living mostly in grey rainy weather in winter.
Thanks for sharing.

btw. Snow could be made out of make-up-remover-pads as well. But more messy to glue I reckon.
Posted: 10:47 am on December 1st

AWilcox writes: Brilliant! I love this!!! No more of that messy snow spray in can on the windows for us, this is perfect and looks easy and fun to make, thanks so much for always coming up with creative and innovative ideas. I am going to put my little army (family members mostly) and decorate all the windows in the house, the neighbors will be envious I am sure.
Posted: 9:00 am on December 1st

backhomeagain writes: Wow, I need to get started on this. Believe it or not we don't have any snow on the ground in Fort Collins, Colorado. My kids would love this...
Posted: 8:56 am on December 1st

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