Stained Glass Suncatcher

Stained Glass Suncatcher Project

Time: 2-3 Class Periods
Difficulty: Advanced
Cleanup: Soap & Water

Materials:

Glass Grinder

Glass Cutter

Wheeled Glass Nippers

Breaker/Grozer Pliers

Running Pliers

Stained Glass Sheets or Pieces

Soldering Iron

Solder

Flux Soldering Paste

Wire

Copper Foil Tape

Jewelry Chain

Pencil

Paper

Scissors

Glue

Create your own stained glass pieces! This project also has an instructional video available!

Step 1
Draw a design template. Our example is on a 7" diameter circle. Number each part and cut out.
Step 2
Choose your colors and glass pieces that will fit your design. Lay sections of design on the glass and use the glass cutter to score the glass so you can snap it off close to the edge. (It is a good idea to wear safety goggles while breaking, snapping, nipping and grinding glass.)
Step 3
Snap glass at the score line using running or breaker pliers.
Step 4
Remove most of the glass surrounding each piece of the design using wheeled glass nippers.
Step 5
Glue the design template pieces onto the glass so the paper doesn't slide around.
Step 6
Use the power grinder to smooth all of the edges of glass so that each piece matches the paper template. (It is a good idea to use a dust mask while grinding glass.)
Step 7
Lay out all the glass pieces to make sure they fit together properly. Grind down problem areas.
Step 8
Wrap the edges of each piece of glass with copper foil tape.
Step 9
Brush a coat of the flux paste onto every bit of the copper foil. Solder all of the pieces together using the iron and solder.
Step 10
To make the looped hanger, twist wire together from each end until it meets in the center. Solder the hanger to the bottom of the stained glass.
Step 11
Attach a chain to the looped hanger for display.