Capture all the beauty of stained glass with these easy suncatchers. Use Sakura Souffle pens to mimic lead panes, and Sakura Glaze pens for translucent color.
Supplies:
- Sakura Souffle pens
- Sakura Glaze pens
- Plastic sheet
- Printed picture to trace
- Small hole punch (1/8 inch)
- Baker’s twine or ribbon
- Scissors
- Tape
Supply Tips:
Let’s begin by talking about plastics. If you would like this project to last for years without discoloration, you’ll want to select archival-quality plastic. Grafix makes a plastic sheet called Dura-Lar that won’t yellow. You can also check your local scrapbook store to see if they sell non-acidic plastic sheets. These typically come with a protective film that must be removed.
If you’re an eco-crafter, you can recycle a soda bottle for this project. For best results, use a non-contoured bottle with smooth sides. Flatten the plastic before you begin, by rolling it in the opposite direction of its curve.
How To:
1) Print a picture to use as your template. There are hundreds of free stained glass patterns online. I found this butterfly pattern on stainedglasspatterns.org.
2) Tape the picture to the underside of the plastic to prevent shifting. Now trace the outline of the picture using Sakura’s gray Souffle pen. This pen works well because the ink rises slightly as it dries, creating ridges that mimic lead. (You’ll notice that the pens have a little piece of plastic on the tip. Remove and discard it the first time you use the pens.)
What if you make a mistake? Let the ink dry, then gently scratch off with your fingernail, and draw the line again.
3) The ink in these pens is a lot like paint. To apply more color, don’t bear down harder. Rather, move the pen more slowly to deposit the ink. The ink lightens in color as it dries. Make sure it’s dry before moving on to the glaze.
4) Now add color with the Glaze pens. I found that it works well to outline the inside of the shape, then fill it in with color. If you leave the template taped in place, it’s easier to see if you’ve missed a spot. For best results, allow the area to dry, then come back and add a second coat for a uniform, vibrant finish.
5) Add more color to your picture. You’ll find that the raised edges of the Souffle ink create a nice border so that your Glaze colors don’t smear or blend.
6) Once the ink is dry, you remove the paper template. Cut out your shapes. Use a small hole punch to make holes for hanging. Tie the shapes together with baker’s twine or ribbon.
7) Hang from the window, using either a thumbtack or a magnet, depending on your window frame.
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