Easy to make Glass Sun Catchers!
It is summertime and a little sunshine does us all good! Here in Maine, we are welcoming it with open arms after a particularly blustery spring. The sun not only provides warmth and brightness to our day, but energy to those that harness it through solar panels. NOTE: This project will not hold up if put outdoors!
As full time RV’ers, that is of definite interest to us. So, with that in mind, I put together a fun sun catcher project to go along with this sunny theme!
You will be surprised at how simple this sun catcher project is! In fact, it is a great project for the kids on a warm sunny day.
So let’s make some sunny sun catchers to catch some of those rays! NOTE: This project will not hold up if put outdoors!
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For this project I used:
Assorted colored glass cabochons (I found mine at Walmart in the floral section)
Clear Elmer’s School Glue
Assorted plastic lids
Fishing line
I saved most of my lids from butter and yogurt containers for this project. To begin, simply pour some of the clear glue into the lid and spread throughout the whole lid in a thick layer.
Now let’s add some color!
Place the glass cabochons into the glue, filling the lid with color in any design or pattern you like. Finish by adding more glue on top of the glass. NOTE: This project will not hold up if put outdoors!
Set them aside to dry. It will take about two days for them to dry enough to do anything with. At that point, peel them out of the plastic lids, turn them over and give them a few more hours to dry out completely.
Use scissors to punch a hole through the glue in the top center of the sun catcher. String fishing line through the hole and hang in the nearest window.
(This project was meant for inside use only. The glue used is water soluble and will not tolerate weather).
Beautiful sparkling sunshine will then happen! Easy, fun, and beautiful! You certainly can’t beat that!
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Modge podge will dry clear it will work.
I haven’t made these but I know Modge podge works
Hi Stephanie!
I added extra glue on top to ensure that it was thick enough to hold the glass. I would think that the white glue does dry clear, so it should work. Just be sure to allow it to dry for several days before trying to unmold it from the lid. Would love to see what you come up with!
suzy
Hi Suzy! Iused Elmers School glue, but the white kind that dries clear. Was that ok? This is my first DIYer and I’m hopping that they will come out ok. On the bottle it saids that it dries clear,so we’ll see. BTW- why the glue on top of the stones? I’m hoping that they will turn out ok,kind of nervous. Wish me luck! Stephanie
I tried this last winter & could not get them out of the plastic lid mold. 🙁 Will try again.
Hi Kathy,
Once the glue hardens, it will not melt in the sun. However, it is not waterproof. This is meant as an indoor project only. Hope that helps!
suzy
I am thinking the glue would melt. Did you try this in the sun?
Excellent idea to decorate…
Hi Carla!
My experience with Elmers was about 2 days of drying time. Then peel them out of the lids and allow the backside to dry for a few more hours. I would imagine that glue drying time has something to do with humidity also. If you are in a humid environment, it may take longer. Hope that helps!
suzy
I wanted to make these as a VBS project so I made one for an example. I used CrazyArt washable clear glue on Saturday evening. It is now Monday evening and it still isn’t dry!! Help!! What did I do wrong and should I have used Elmer’s? Thanks!
Hi Sandy!
That just might work! I’d love to see what you come up with!
suzy
Hi just love your site…Wanting to make some of the sun catchers but wondering if you use a piece of a straw to make an area for the hole. I’m thinking of using some kind of clear silicone so they can also go outside, just thinking outloud..Your great…Thanks
Put a straw in it (a small piece) standing upward of course so you can take it out and then it’s easier to make a hole in it be careful not to crack it.
You can buy the colored stones in the Dollar Tree. Used them all Christmas season long and I used mod podge which has a water protecting type. That way you could hang them on the porch or in the trees.
They are so cheerful looking. Mod podge does dry clear.
Maybe Liquid Nails, comes in tube or like a caulking for REALLY big jobs. Works for outside projects in Florida.
Be sure to use waterproof glue. The other ingredients are glass and plastic.
I love this project. It is a must try for me and the kids very soon.
I read the directions three times and I cannot find what you did to the fishing line? Maybe I can’t see very well. ??
What can be used to make them weather proof for hanging outside?
You are very welcome!
I can’t wait to try this project get my niece involved and we will have a great time making them. So pretty thanks for the great idea….
Hi Ruth!
What a great idea! Would love to see what you come up with!
suzy
Hi Carolyn!
I would recommend using a different type of glue. I used the school glue as a kids craft idea. But if you tried resin, you would get the same effect and they would be outdoor friendly, especially in the humid weather.
Hope that helps!
suzy
I love these sun catchers. I am making Christmas Tree ornaments with these and sprinkling them with glitter! Then I’m spraying them with Krylon Crystal Clear. So pretty!!
This looks like a fun idea and they look so cheerful. I wonder if they would be weather-safe with a few coats of spray-on acrylic sealer; I’d love to hang them from the top of my front porch. They wouldn’t get rained on but it gets hot and humid where I live (Southeast US)
I’m sorry it didn’t work for you! Maybe not enough glue? Mine are still hanging in my window a year later!
suzy
hi it didn’t work very well fell apart after a month no real way to keep the fishing line it without it coming out … figure out some other method to keep them in there …thought it was a great idea but the marble things were too heavy …
Epoxy may work, it has fumes to worry about and is just as messy as any other glue. The point of this project was for the kids. Mine are still hanging in my window a year later.
Try using Epoxy glue. NOT soluable and will last for many years. Regular Elmer’s glue will take too long to dry and can be messy.
Hi!
You can find it in any craft supply store, office supply store, Walmart, or any place that sell school and craft supplies. I checked Amazon to see if they
offered it in larger containers, but did not find it offered that way.
suzy
Where can I find the clear Elmers glue in bulk?
Where can you get the clear Elmer’s glue in bulk?
We made these at VBS (Vacation Bible School) last night. The kids loved it. Only sad they had to wait to take them home. Teaching patience, along with the Bible lesson. Thanks!
Elmer’s clear glue
I used clear silicone water resistant calk so I could hang them outside. Well, the calk wasn’t as transparent as I expected. I’ll try the clear Elders to see if it looks the your photo. They’re so pretty!
That is awesome! Would love to see what you come up with!
suzy
We are going to use this in our Create-a-craft class at the nursing home. The residents will love them
How do you attach the fishing line please?
You can use whatever you want. I used clear school glue for mine. Can’t guarantee the outcome of substitutes.
I was wondering the same thing. Or even rubber cement?
LOL! Thanks!!
Wow…people don’t READ directions. So many questions asked here in the comment section are CLEARLY answered in the directions. I commend your patience.
Hi Ruby,
I haven’t tried Mod Podge. It might not dry as clear. And the Clear Glue is so much cheaper. Let me know if you try it and if it works out.
suzy
On the project list, it states Clear Elmers School Glue.
suzy
It doesn’t say what glue.
Let me know how it works
Wonder if modge podge would work? So cute!
Wonder if modge podge would work? So cute!
My granddaughter will be with us for a week and this is definitely on our list of “Fun Things to Do”. Thanks!
I wonder if clear silicone glue would work for hanging outdoors. I have some and may give it a try. Cute idea!
I can’t wait to try this with my daughter! We are going to try adding glitter to the glue. Thank you! ????
I can’t wait to try this with my daughter! We are going to try adding some glitter to the glue! Thank you! ????
what about clear waterproof caulking???
Hi Tanya,
These are not meant for outdoors. Because it is a kids craft, I used Elmers clear school glue which is water soluable. However, mine have been hanging in my window for six months now (inside) and are fine. I live in sunny Florida and the heat has not bothered them.
suzy
I have a question. If you put it outside will the glue melt in the heat. I have found out with hot glue it will melt over time. Thank you. Tanya
Just found your website and would like be on you easy project list. Going to make your lid with cabochon beads. Thanks
Hi!
My only suggestion would be to be sure you use plenty of glue. I filled up the lids and then put the cabochons and added glue on top. The finished sun catchers were at least 1/4″ thick. Hope that helps.
suzy
I loved these too. When I made mine and turned them over to dry more, they started to curl in from the rim. Am I doing something wrong? Also in some cases, the glue shrunk around the edges in places causing the cabochon to come loose. I would appreciate any suggestions on how to make these better. Thanks.
My grandkids had a blast doing this, I goofed up and didn’t used clear glue. Couldn’t find any. They liked theirs anyway! Age 6 and 3. Thanks for the cool idea!!
Hi Carol!
I would only use clear glue. The white glue will not dry clear and you will not have the same effect.
suzy
I want to make these. I have 3 dz. Glue but its white. Can i use this or will it show?
Oooh, pretty! I love this project. I bet it is absolutely gorgeous with the sun shining through it. Please come share your blog posts over at the Home Matters Linky Party! We’d love to have you for a visit. The Door is OPEN. http://lifewithlorelai.com/2015/06/25/home-matters-linky-party-43/ 🙂
~Lorelai
Life With Lorelai
That is pretty cool!! I really like these…going to try!! Hey I would love if you came and shared your stuff at my blog hop…My 2 Favorite Things on Thursday!! I’d love to have you!!
What a great idea. Dollar Tree has these and I’ve always wanted to do something with them and this is perfect! Thank you so much!
Kristine 🙂
I love this idea Suzy! So doing this for my garden. Glad your sun catchers caught my eye at the From Dream To Reality Party. Pinning!
Love it! I have to think about what to use so I can have them outside. I have a really plain fence that these would look fabulous on. Thanks for the inspiration.
visiting from You’re Gonna Love It
Love the suncatchers! Perfect to make with granddaughter!
What a beautiful sun catcher. And such a clever idea on how to make it!
I have a link party that I am trying to grow. I invite you to share this idea (and a couple of others) at my Grandma Ideas Sharing Time link up at http://grandmaideas.com. I think my readers would LOVE this idea.
My linkup is open Wednesday through Friday at midnight. I hope to see you there!
All the best,
Nina
Wow! This is the best I have seen yet for a sun catcher. I have used old CDs and glued half marbles and little mirrors to them and hung them,but this looks so much easier and you get the full effect of sun coming through . I am a glassaholic and same with sun! Anything blingy.love. I love following your rv…I think we can consider it also. Hubs retired 2 1/2months ago . We moved to Ensenada; besides his ministry he is restless , fish out of water… Keep the easy crafts coming! Thanks for this one. I know some young girls who will love doing this with me.