Tastes of Culture

How interesting and decorative suncatchers really are. They always appear so artistic and, the type that are made with stained glass, seem to be very popular today. In fact, many are made from plastic sheeting. These are relatively easy to make as I am about to describe below. In the main I have found that I have given these out as presents and the receivers have always been delighted with them!

You can hang them anywhere in the car, in your home, garden, your office etc. and they catch the light so beautifully. There are so many different ways you can actually make them, it is no wonder they are popular.

Now we have established these can be hung anywhere, but what I am about to describe would be suitable for any sort of window. So, do we need many items for this? Not many really and this could be the start of a great hobby! A roll of lead tape, pot for your water, paintbrush, glass outliner which comes in a tube, glass paints and thinner, 2 cm of string, rubber suction hanging hook, a sheet of A5 size acrylic and your actual design.

If you do not want to use your own design I am sure that they must be readily available in most art suppliers, but it is more personal if you design your own.

Where do I start on this? First take the film off the plastic sheet. Then you need to cut a length of the lead taping. Next you peel the back off this and continue by sticking this all along the edges of your sheet of acrylic.

Of course we need something to hang this by, so we need a hook. For this you will require your string and a piece about 4cm long of your lead tape. You take the string and place this inside the tape, leaving it open at the end. Then you can go ahead and stick this to one of your edges on the sheet to make this hook to hang it from.

Next step, place your pattern sheet under the acrylic sheet and then you can draw your design with your tube of outliner from the pattern. Wait for this to dry.

The design has now been transferred to your sheet, so now you can start to use your glass paints to fill out your design. When you have finished this part I find it is better to give this plenty of time for drying. Therefore, if you leave it overnight, this is ideal. Your brush will need to be washed and given a good clean with the thinner if your glass paint contains solvent.

However, if you have used water based paints, just rinse and wash your brushes in water. The final touch will be to stick the suction hook on your window or door and hang your suncatcher. Let the light stream through it and get pleasure from it every day. Once you have made one you can get more adventurous and go on to make different varieties, and you need never wonder about what gifts to buy for people again.