We are loving making these sun catchers from melted beads! I saw this project the other day on The Artful Parent and got really excited! Have you tried it yet???
The directions tell you to cook the beads in the oven on 400 degrees for about 25 to 30 minutes. Those directions were updated to use a gas grill outside or a toaster over outside because of the smell of the melting beads. So I was excited about the project, but also a bit nervous about the project.
I don’t have a toaster or a gas grill, so we had to resort to the oven. But I do have an oven vent and doors and windows that open… So we decided to try it out inside in the oven. And luckily, and to my surprise, the smell wasn’t bad at all! It did smell a little, but honestly, not nearly as bad as my curry dish I cooked later that day. GROSS!!! I’m sure the melting plastic is worse for you to sniff than the curry, but it didn’t feel that way to me that day!!!!
We decided to make a wind chime with the big one. we had this froggy wind chime that we’ve had for quite some time and had fun with, but it’s been broken for a while, so we decided to repurpose it into our own wind chime! And I used my Dremel to drill holes in the melted bead sun catchers. I tried to do it with a toothpick as soon as I got it out of the oven, but that didn’t work for me.
And for the little ones, we painted a wooden dowel with our ice cube paints and tied them on the stick in groups of three! These are going to make cute little gifts!
I see these again in our near future! Think Olympics…. hmmmmm…..
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WOW! Those are beautiful suncatchers, I cannot wait to try this myself! Thank you!
What a neat idea – I think I’ll have to do that this week with the kids!!
Found your blog through Skip to My Lou linky party
I just made more today! They were in the oven when I got your comment.
I need your email so I can send you some photographs of what I made last night! I cannot believe how FUN this craft project was and I was amazed on how the beads melted on the grill. (NOTE: If you leave me a comment on one of my blog posts, I will be able to get your email then) I cannot wait to show you what I made! This craft project has lots of possibilities and I am thinking about making some Christmas ornaments too! Please contact me today, as I want to share with you what I made from your tutorial! Have a great day! Valerie
LOVE this idea and would love to try it with my kids BUT I am curious what type of beads you used.
I just used basic pony beads from the craft store. We also used pony beads rom the dollar store, too. both worked fine. I don’t know why they re called pony beads actually… Hopully this helps you find them. I know they are sold at most all craft stores.
I saw these too and I’m hoping to make them, just need to get some clear beads. Yours look wonderful. I like alot.
Thank you!! They are sooo easy!
That is such a great idea. Something fun to do with the kids before the summer is over. thanks
Do you have to use the clear-ish beads or can you use the solid color beads?
Nope! We used both. The clear ones are better for letting light through and sparkling in the sun, but you don’t have to use the clear ones. I used the solid ones when I did my Olympic Rings windchime I did, with clear in the middle. Have fun!
oh hey, that’s really beautiful!!
thanks for this tutorial.
i shared it on my blog.
best wishes to you, doro K.
wow, this is a good idea!!
Thank you! Honestly, it wasn’t my idea, so I can’t take credit for it. But I can say it’s really fun and we’ve had a great time making them!
Did you line the pan with anything or did they pop right out?
Nope! I didn’t line the pan. They do, they just pop right out. Not a bit of residue is left behind. I did actually go to Goodwill and pick up some old pans so that I wouldn’t be using my good ones, just in case there is anything unseen residue left behind. But I think if you clean them well, it’s probably fine to use your own. Have Fun!!
Can you use a a table top grill ,like you would use for hotdogs and hambugers —THANKS Ron
Yes, you can. It’s actually better to use something like that outside than actually using the oven!
Saw you on Pinterest… how awesome is this craft?? I organize a children’s group and this would be such a fun group craft… they can all do their own desings! Thanks!!
Thanks for checkin’ me out! Enjoy!
Hey I’m Feeling Crafty! I just out did myself with your inspiration and just created a night light cover from melting pony beads! Check it out on my blog: http://nikitaland.wordpress.com/2012/08/10/how-to-make-a-night-light-cover-from-melting-beads/
Great project idea! I have been wanting to do a windchime/suncatcher type of craft – this is perfect
Thank you! It’s fun!!
That’s inspired
Me and my girls just made these! They were so excited! The smell was more intense than i thought it would be, but we just opened a window and it was fine. They got alarmed when they heard them drying. They were poping in the pan. We cant wait for them to finish cooling!!!!
Oh, they did pop a little, but I don’t even remember noticing this very much! The smell for me was actually very slight. I don’t know how it’s turned out that way, but I’m glad it did! Glad you enjoyed it!
We tried this last week. When the beads melted the didn’t melt together.. a few did but not many? I did this in the oven 350 for 30 min. Anyone else has this issue?
I haven’t heard of this! I’m curious myself why it wouldn’t melt together… hmmm… I’d try leaving it in a bit longer, maybe, if you can stand the smell. I’m sorry I don’t have a better answer for you!
Can you use non-stick pans or do they need to be bare metal? The photos all look like bare metal.
I think it can be either. I used the non-stick becuase those are my good pans, and for this I bought just plain metal ones at Goodwill, just in case!
Hey Stacie, I have made tons of these already and YES, you can use non-stick pans, and even those cheap throw away metal pans too to make these suncatchers. Also, did you know that you can even just place a design of the beads on a cookie sheet and melt them on the grill too! If you, for instance, make a flower on a cookie sheet, you can hot glue the flower to a hair clip for your kids! They will love it! Or, make some red hearts for Valentines Day too! Have fun!
Hey that’s awesome too!
Such a Great idea I ll do it with My little one .
I saw u on Pinterest
Thanks for visiting!
Please do not do it with little kids. I appreciate the craft but that smell is cancer causing. It is safer not expose kids.
I cooked mine while my little one was outside playing. Thanks though.
I was wondering if you sprayed the pans with something to get to finished project out of them easier or just left them alone?
I did not spray the pans. I used cheap pans from Goodwill just in case. But they ended up popping out super easy!
Saw this in Pinterest, and I’m so glad I pinned it! Making these is so fun and easy, made a few tonight as Christmas gifts. The small ones are a good size for ornaments
Thanks for commenting! You totally reminded me that I wanted to make Christmas Decorations out of these, too!!
What a great craft to do with the kids! Thanks for sharing!
Reblogged this on lovelyseasonscomeandgo and commented:
wow these are so cute and looks like a fun craft to make
you don’t need to drill holes in the melted plastic, just take an ice pick, heat it over a candle, and stick it thru, works great!
I saw this craft on Pinterest yesterday. Surprisingly, I was just at Rite Aids (Shelby Twp., MI) and they had a craft item for sale. A tube about 7″ long full of while, clear and different tones of pink on clearance for $.64 a tube! I can’t wait to make this w/ my baby grands this weekend – also in honor of my mother and sister who died of breast cancer. Thank you for posting this idea! Happy New Year. Beth Lowran
Perfect! That’s a great deal for the beads! Enjoy! Do remember though, I don’t recommend cooking them with the kiddos in the house!
Has anyone tried this with silicone pans? Just curious if it would work because there are fun small shapes in those
I’ve made a number of these over the past 2-3 years. I’ve also used other items along with the pony beads.You can use a glass bead or other item( button, shell, etc) instead of having to drill a hole. Just place the bead or whatever so that the hole in it can be used to hang with. I also use some solid colored beads, tiny seed beads, buttons, glitter, anything that won’t melt to add texture and make more interesting. The melted beads hold the non melted items in place. Happy crafting!
I’ve thought about adding other things, but never have. Sounds really cool! Good idea about the bead that won’t melt for the hole!
I just made one of these on a pizza pan, so it’s 12″ of beautiful! Came right out of the pan too! I made it with bright pony beads and I am going to head to the Dollar Store and purchase a glass candle holder and glue it to the platter to make a CUPCAKE STAND! Check out my new platter on my blog when you get the chance! http://www.nikitaland.wordpress.com
Now that is an awesome idea!! Your ‘platter’ turned out so neat and will look amazing as a cupcake stand!
Thanks for the tips we are making some this wednesday
Can’t wait
enjoy!
Love this craft!!! My sons and I put them in a buddy cake pan an it came out looking like a wreath. We will definitely be making a red and green one for Christmas time.
Great idea!!! Awesome!
Love these! We will definitely try them all the waaaay up here in Sequoia! Thanks for sharing the idea!
Karen
Can you use any beads???
I’ve only used the plastic pony beads, so I can’t really say!
Great idea. We have so many of those beads and we can only wear so many bracelets and necklaces- so thanks for the idea!
http://thisfineday.com/
No problem! Enjoy!