How to Make a Faux Stained-Glass Sun Catcher

Catch fall's jewels with a faux stained-glass technique. You can use this for any holiday or for any style of sun catcher you wish to make. The initial cost may seem high, but the paints will go a long way.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Window Color Liquid Leading (pewter Or Bronze)
• Brown Paper Bags
• Window Cleaner
• Window Cleaner
• Toothpicks
• Gallery Glass Leading Blanks
• Markers
• Paper Towels
• Paper Towels
• Toothpicks
• Paper towels
• Markers
• Gallery Glass Window Colors (yellow, gold, red, orange, amber, green)

1. Pick your favorite fall leaves.

2. Trace the leaves on a piece of brown paper bag to make patterns. Use a black marker for easy-to-see lines. For best results, limit the size of your sun catcher to 5 by 5 inches.

3. Lay a leading blank over the leaf patterns. Work on a flat surface to prevent running.

4. Use a bottle of simulated liquid leading to trace around the leaf pattern. Squeeze out the leading gently and evenly. Hold the bottle at an angle for easier application. All lines must meet another line to prevent the colors from blending.

5. Let leading dry for 24 hours.

6. Use simulated glass paint to paint the leaves.

7. Squeeze the bottle to place a small pool of color into the area you wish to color.

8. Use the tip of the bottle (without squeezing) to fill in the area. Use a toothpick to move color into tight areas and against the leading.

9. Let the leaf dry for 24 hours after painting.

10. Peel the leaf from the leading blank.

11. Stick to any clean glass window. Place in sunny windows for a rainbow of color.

Tips & Warnings

• Mix colors by squeezing out small dots of different colors and blending with a toothpick.
• Use different patterns for each holiday to make your window festive for every season.
• If your sun catchers become too dirty to stick to the window, use a paper towel moistened with window cleaner to clean the back of the catcher and the window.
• Store your sun catchers by placing them on a leading blank, pressing any air bubbles out and storing flat in a plastic bag.
• Avoid placing on a moist window. This could cause the paint to run. This is not for outside use.