Hello old and new friends, I have just published this MSN space publicly hoping to get more people to join the hobby of snowglobe collecting. If you have any question or interested to discuss any issues regarding snowglobe collecting, please drop me a line and your email address. I will reply as soon as possible. Thanks. I look forward hearing from you all.

These beautiful glass globe collectible items are known by many names: snowglobes, snowdomes, snowscenes, snowshakers, snowstorms, waterglobes, waterdomes, waterballs, blizzard-weights, shake ‘em up, shakies, and snowies. Regardless of their names, they encapsulate some form of fascination for people of all ages around the world.

Advances in technology and manufacturing techniques allow snowglobes today to be finely crafted with minute details, increasing their aesthetic appeal. Mass production, in spite of popular beliefs, has not decreased the snowglobes' collectible value. With exceptions aside, most snowglobe manufacturers today still employ skilled artisans, designers, and sculptors. In such cases, each item still needs to be sculpted and painted by hand, rendering each piece a unique work of art.

The snowglobes' ability to capture emotional moments and cherished occasions make them irresistable to collectors. Each tiny scene in a globe evokes a special feeling as unique as viewing an emotionally charged painting. Aside from their wide emotional appeal,  snowglobes are perfect as souvenir items. Not only do snowglobes come in a variety of sizes and shapes, they are also sturdy and portable. Each finely crafted scenic detail in a globe adds a nice complimentary touch to one's travel memoirs.

Source: Twinkle Globe

It is believed that the creation of the original snowglobe was borrowed from the concept of glass-paperweight dating back as early as 1800’s in France. From there, in 1889, the world's first globe was created. This palm-sized glass globe featured the famous Eiffel Tower as its center-piece and has a ceramic base and fake snow. It was introduced to the public in the 1889 Paris Exposition and proved to be a successful souvenir item.

Later in the Victorian era, snowstorms, as they were called became popular as souvenirs, toys and desk paperweights. And in the early 1920’s, it crossed the Atlantic to the United States and Canada.

The pivotal point in the history of waterglobes came in 1927, when Joseph Garaja of Pittsburgh, filed a patent pertaining to the mass production of glass snowglobes of “artistic attractiveness and novel ornamentation.” Once the patent was granted on December 31, 1929, the concept was copied and snowglobes were soon sold everywhere.

Capitalizing on the popularity of snowglobes, American companies in the 1940's use them in their advertising campaigns. While in Europe, religious themed snowglobes were popular gifts for Catholic children.

Today’s snowglobes can come with music, revolving piece or base, lighting effect, button-activated snow blower and much more.

Source: Twinkle Globe

Cleaning your collectibles is probably the most dreaded job of a collector. When caring for your globes, always remember to dust them often. If you make it a plan to dust your collectibles when you vacuum your products will need less detailed care in the futures. An accumulation of dust will cause your products to look old and discolored if this happens clean the base of your globes with a mild, no abrasive cleaner. A window cleaner can also be used to clean the glass globe of your snowglobe.

Extreme temperatures can cause air bubbles. Extreme cold can cause a temporary leak as the piece defrosts and extreme heat can induce evaporation. To avoid this problem after receiving your globe try to store it at room temperature.

If your have musical snowglobes, do not over wind them, always make sure that the musical key is turned only twice at a time. Over winding a musical will cause the spring that rotates the musical to break and it is not possible to repair this once this has happened.

Source: Twinkle Globe