How to Make a Sun Catcher
Sun catchers make beautiful additions to any home. These decorative pieces hang in windows to capture sunlight and produce a pleasing and peaceful glow. Painted glass sun catchers can greatly compete with the beauty of real stained glass pieces. Simple stained glass sun catchers can be easily crafted with some very basic glass cutting and soldering skills. In the following are some simple directions for making your own sun catcher.
Draw a three inch measured square onto a sheet of paper. After carefully cutting out, you can use this square a pattern. Draw four squares onto glass using your pattern. You can cut out four squares of the same or different colors.
You will need a glass crimper and cutter. Create a score in the glass with a cutter on one side. Score around the edges of the glass. To break the glass at the score, use a crimper or your hands. Extreme care should be used when breaking with hands.
Cut lead with channeled sides to about 6 inches in length. Slide two pieces of square glass into one side of cut lead and to into the other.
Cut two additional shorter lead pieces. These will be the dividers between the glass squares. Place lead between the lead between the squares in order to create a cross pattern.
Four pieces of lead will need to be cut for the outer edge of the sun catcher. Lead needs to be wrapped and solder together.
Solder two rings of metal to the back of the sun catcher. These rings are for hanging. Tie some sort of durable string or line through the rings for hanging from your window.
Sun catchers make great craft projects for children as well as adults. For your next sun catcher project, choose high quality products in order to create timeless pieces of enjoyment.
