I saw this pin a few weeks ago and three things popped into my mind; how cool does that look, that sounds too easy, and how bad is this going to make my kitchen smell. This pin was a picture and a link to a crafting message board that talked about making these pony bead sun catchers.
Photo from http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=185741.0 |
Now the message board gives more information about making these suncatchers. They can be made in any oven ready pan but the beads need to be in a single layer. They suggested using clear beads along with the colored pony beads as well as smaller bead versus bigger ones.
The beads I had were a container of 3200 beads that I bought at Michael's for an estimation station at work. The downside of these beads is that there were no clear beads in the container, but I was too excited to try this out. I contemplated which pan I should use, hoping that the instructions and message board were correct and the creation would just pop right out of the pan when cool. I chose an older metal pie tin that I was willing to sacrifice in the name of Pinterest experimentation. I poured the beads in and spent about 5 minutes picking out the beads and shaking the pan gently, making sure I had a single layer and the bead covered the whole bottom of the tin.
The oven was preset to 400 and in went the pie pan. I was concerned about the potential scent that melting plastic would make in the apartment, but again I was willing to make a sacrifice (I also had the windows cracked just in case). I checked the pan around minute ten and could see the beads beginning to melt. With the oven open there was a bit of a plasticy smell but nothing too terrible. After the timer went off at minute 20, the beads were fully melted and I placed them on the counter to cool.
I let it cool for about 10 minutes and much to my surprise (and relief) it did pop right out of the pan. It felt cool and reminded me a lot of one of my daughter's plastic kiddie plates. It turned out great and was super easy, my only negative was that because I didn't use any clear beads it wasn't very transparent or suncatcher like. The green beads were semi-transparent so those areas were the most transparent when held up to the light. I am totally making these again, this time making sure I buy clear or semi-transparent beads and I might try to make some sort of pattern or design. The message board recommended drilling a hole in the top and the stringing them up with fishing line. I'm not exactly sure what I will be doing with mine yet but at the moment I think it will make a great pot holder or snack tray.
Oooo Pretty |
I think it makes a great pot holder or party tray :) |
This is one of my summer projects! Thanks for trying it. Maybe the glow in the dark ones would be fun too!
ReplyDeleteWow! I can think of many yard or garden decorations I could use this technique with. How do you think it will hold up outside? Great post (& now pin).
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