Her home-based snow globe business has introduced Leah Andrews to Hollywood’s funny, famous and witty. But, as she tells HELENA ADELOJU, she is particularly moved by one particular type of order…
“Men get a bad rap, but I meet the most beautiful men in my work”
She may be the Queen of Snow Globes but Leah Andrews is no ice queen.
As Leah showed off her snow globe collection at her home-based studio in Gembrook, it didn’t take long to realise that each of her handcrafted snow globes has a unique story, as does the woman who brings them to life.
The making of ‘the Queen’, as she is sometimes referred to by clients, began after Leah watched a TV show that featured a snow globe.
“I was watching an episode of Sex and the City when Carrie (Sarah Jessica Parker) picks up a beautiful New York snow globe and shakes it.
“It symbolised the “shaking up” of her life with Aidan, just before they broke up.”
Leah fell in love with Carrie’s snow globe of the New York skyline.
“I started searching for that globe and in the process discovered there was very little in the way of really beautiful snow globes, as opposed to kitschy, tacky travel globes,” she said.
After a fruitless search, Leah bought a DIY snow globe kit and decided to try her hand at making a snow globe of her own.
At first her handy work was just for friends and family, but it wasn’t long before she moved up in the world of snow globes.
“At the same time I had been learning a lot about passive income, building websites, SEO etc, and somehow the two passions fortuitously collided,” she said.
“I saw that the niche for custom globes, whilst small, was wide open.”
Leah built the queenofsnowglobes.com website in 2012 and before she knew it she was overloaded with single custom globe requests.
Five years on and Leah still loves what she does. She said there was a magical quality in the way snow globes can make people smile.
“There is something special when someone shakes up the snow globe and they look into it,” she said.
“I always say it’s like a childlike wonder and you look at that snow inside the little globe and for a moment you kind of picture yourself in there and everything’s OK in the world.”
The world of snow globes has become Leah’s oyster since she started her business creating the unique works of art.
“My team and I bring imaginations to life within the snowy miniature world of the iconic snow globe,” she said.
“We’ve made snow globes for Hollywood’s biggest stars, TV shows, UK documentaries and countless businesses and individuals who needed a unique and beautiful gift.”
Her snow globes have given her experiences few people could boast of.
Leah has created custom pieces for celebrities including Channing Tatum and Kurt Russell.
Custom globes were also made for Quentin Tarantino and the entire cast and crew of his feature film The Hateful Eight.
The snow globe was such a hit that a second order for 300 more was made so that they could be given out at the Oscars.
“I’ve made a snow globe for the Netflix series Narcos and for the cast and crew of Matilda the Musical,” Leah said.
She has also found herself unwittingly speaking with celebrities while responding to inquiries about snow globe orders.
“I called and asked for the person’s name that was on the website inquiry form,” Leah said.
“I just started chatting away and explaining some of the intricacies involved in the production process.”
When Leah started explaining how much she wanted to do an amazing job of the snow globe that had been commissioned to celebrate Steve Martin’s AFI Award in 2015, she got a surprise.
“I was saying how I was such a huge fan of Steve Martin and that I love him,” Leah said.
“Then this voice on the other end of the line says ‘oh, well I should tell you it’s Steve’,” she said, laughing.
“He was very gracious and let me get over my hysteria.
“He was just an absolute delight to work with.”
The Steve Martin snow globes were given to the elite of Hollywood comedy including Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Mel Brook, Steve Carell, Jack Black and Dan Aykroyd.
The final Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson also featured as specially crafted snow globe for the occasion.
“After the finale aired I received more than 200 requests to buy a copy of the globe – unfortunately I was unable to do so due to copyright restrictions,” Leah said.
Her clients have included high profile record company Third Man Records, historic buildings and fashion designers.
Christmas presents are one of Leah most commissioned items. In 2015 Leah created the world’s first diamond snow globe for Christmas.
The Diamond Christmas Snow Globe featured genuine diamond ‘snow’ and hand sculpted figures of the buyer’s family.
There were also five 0.07 carat diamonds affixed to the inner setting while an additional five diamonds remained loose within the sealed globe.
When the buyer tipped the globe upside down they could see the loose diamonds twinkle down the inner wall of glass.
Leah also creates custom snow globes as wedding favours, but she has a very special place in her heart for the men who purchase snow globes as part of their proposal gift to their partners.
“Men get a bad rap, but I meet the most beautiful men in my work,” Leah said.
“They would do anything to make their partners happy.”
The world of snow globes has delivered a world of opportunity for Leah who said she won’t be stopping anytime soon.
In fact she will be stepping up her work.
She is currently working on a “top secret” snow globe project for an Australian Blu-ray and DVD release this month.
“I absolutely love what I do and it’s my goal to give my customers the most incredible and enjoyable experience,” she said.
“For me, if what I do makes people smile, that’s a really important thing.”
