I am a photography newbie and have only a 18 - 135mm canon kit lens at my disposal. I wanted to take macro shots but can't really afford a macro lens right now. One very optimistic goal of mine is to capture a single snow flake this winter.

Is there any cheap(er) way to take macro shots? Also, any specific advice from anyone one how to go about photographing a single snow flake.

NB - I guess the single snow flake was bit of an over-ambitious goal on my part. may be not this winter but I will get that some day. until then i'll keep on learning and getting better. but that aside I thank you all for your suggestions.