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…..
Shared with these Link Parties!
Disclaimer: I am not a scientist and I didn’t come up with this project. I have never used a gas oven or a grille! I have only made these as I described above and don’t really know what other temperatures or times. Please be safe and do not cook around children! Please see blog disclaimer below!
feelincrafty.wordpress.com 
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
I am wanting to do this with grand kids..please email how you did your project
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.
they are called pony beads because they are used when braiding horses (pony) manes for decoration. 🙂 nice job here!
I had no idea that’s why they are called pony beads! Interesting!
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!!
Would it be okay to line them with something like wax paper? Or would it not work as well? I’m just interested just in case–as a precaution.
I honestly have no idea! I’ve never tried the wax paper. Give it a shot! If you’re worried about the pan just grab a cheapie from your local thrift shop. Have fun!
Wax paper wont peel off!!! Do not use it
Oh, no!!!
Do you have ant tips for the drilling of the holes? I am nervous that the plastic will break if I don’t do it right. TIA!
Just go slow and steady. Don’t put the hole right on the edge. It went pretty easy. And it’s not the end of the world if it breaks, becuase you can make another one. 🙂 I think you’ll be fine!
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!
Turn up the temp on the stove. I had mine @ 400 & still had to turn it up to 425 for them to melt good.
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.
Hi “I’m Feelin’ Crafty” & Other readers. I thought after reading this very awesome crafty post, I do a little investigating, as I too fell into wonder & slight concern if whether these plastic beads melting & their fumes where to be dangerous in any way. So here is what I got:
Burning plastic can produce dioxin, a deadly poison. PVC (polyvinyl chloride) is known to produce dioxin when burned, however not all plastics are evil in this way. Friendly plastics that contain the usual carbon, hydrogen & oxygen are safer than those that contain nitrogen (nylon) or chlorine (PVC). It’s hard to say what any given piece of plastic is made from, but I would hazard to say that any plastic manufactured for use in microwaves should be toxin-free.
Plastic toxins might generate when burned. Any carbon-based material produces hazardous byproducts under most combustion conditions, mostly due to incomplete combustion. Burning gasoline produces carbon monoxide, and burning methanol can produce formaldehyde.
The worst fumes come when a plastic utensil is actually burning in the form of the concentrated black smoke emanating from it. Once the burning stops, the residual smell is not very toxic if at all.
Plastic cooking utensils are made of nylon, assuming it’s not silicone, because that would take a lot more effort to melt, because nylon is a construct that is used in cooking precisely because it won’t catch fire, will produce mostly carbon (black smoke) and trace amounts of hydrogen cyanide and hydrogen chloride.
Don’t be scared by the hydrogen cyanide! There may be scattered particulates in the air, but, it’s not as close to as toxic as being next to a busy road or second-hand smoke. Cyanide poising comes in two forms: acute (meaning you’d be dead by now) and chronic (meaning prolonged contact with the substance in small amounts). I can’t imagine the burning beads plastic project could have produced enough cyanide to qualify for chronic poisoning, unless you plan on burning on a regular basis for the next several months. Air out the place to get rid of the smell and particulates. Unless a person plans to “bubble” their child from this world I’d not worry about it too much.
Sincerely,
~Janet
Thanks for the info! That’s kinda how I looked it. I sent the kiddo outside while they cooked and we don’t make them often. So I personally wasn’t too concerned about it. But, if you are making them constantly, I’d worry! 🙂 Thanks!
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!
Yes…I used some of the round ones that were out years ago (probably had these for 20 years) & they did great!!
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!
When do you take them out of the pan
I let it cool and then it just popped right out!
My oven only appears to go to the highest setting of 250 deg c would this temp work if I leaved them in for longer ?:)
I’m American, so this blog is in Farenheit, not Celsius. So 400 F degrees is 204 C. None of this is an exact science, so just give it a try!
Avec mon four à gaz français je ne vais pas plus que 250 degré pense vous que cela soit possible merci de vos réponses
Saw on pintrest and ours are actually in oven. Been over 45min and still not melting together:/ wonder why? Will keep on till melts all the way I guess?!?
I’m not sure! I’m not an expert either! Hope it worked out for you!
Turn the temp on your oven up. I had to turn mine to 425 in order that they completely melt.
is safe to do is gas ovens?
I don’t have one, so I don’t know! I’d assume it’s as safe as an electric oven! Like I have mentioned before, I just tried it the way I explained (with the doors open and kids outside)! Please read the other comments to get a better idea! Thanks!
CAN YOU SEND ME THE DIRECTIONS ON HOW TO DO AS ON THIS PAGE IT DOEST SAY PLEASE EMAIL ME THANKS PATRICIA WANT TO DO IN OVEN AND WHAT TEPERATURE AND HOW LONG ETC AND ALSO HOW LONG ON A GAS GRILL TOO
The directions I used are in the post. I don’t know what to tell you about a gas grill, as I don’t have one! Have fun!
I used a gas grill today and it was super easy! I just let the grill heat up for about five minutes then put the pan of beads in and closed the cover. With both burners on high, it only took about five minutes! I kept checking every so often to make sure the beads weren’t bubbling, though, as that might make them not pop out easily.
Awesome! So glad you enjoyed it!
Hi! I saw your project a couple days ago on Pinterest and I thought it would be great to try it, but it didn’t turn out as expected. Everything went fine until the moment we had to take them off from the pan and they did not simply pop out. They suck so hard to the pan that we had to re-heat in and scrapp off the remains of the project. I really likes this idea so could you recommend any tips so this doesn’t happen again?
I’m not sure what to say! I’m not an expert, by any means! The few times we’ve done it, they have always popped right out. I’m sorry it didn’t work for you. If it was me, I’d experiment with either leaving in them less or more time. I’m sorry I’m not more help. I honestly haven’t perfected this project and I’ve only made it based on how I described It in the blog post.
I have seen numerous Pinterest posts that use those cute silicone shaped pans.
400 degrees Farenheit for 25 minutes? How long do I wait to pop it out? How long does it take to cool?
Like I said, in the post, I’m not an expert! I’ve done it twice. I don’t remember how long it takes to cool. And I popped it out when the pan was cool enough to touch! It’s all a big experiment for me too!
Tried making the suncatchers this afternoon, was very disappointed , couln not get them o0ut of the pans. What did i do wrong?
I’m sorry it didn’t work out! And I’m sorry I can’t tell you what you did wrong either! And I’m sorry you’re disappointed! Like my post says, I’m not a scientist, and don’t have all the answers to this craft. It luckily worked for me the few times I’ve made it, but I don’t have all the answers for it!
I’ve made the suncatchers before but I use metal cookie cutters instead of cupcake pans. They pop right out and all the different shapes they have the possibilities are endless.
I’ve wondered about that! But was worried that they would leak under the cookie cutters. I’ll have to give it a try!
I took this a step further and tried using a metal cookie cutter inside a cake pan and put beads inside the cookie cutter this worked out wonderful with glow in the dark beads our shape we used was an airplane.
sounds like fun! We haven’t made any this summer. I love the glow in the dark idea though!
These are beautiful and look really fun to make!
I’m not sure if ours will come out but I have been looking for months for an idea my grandchildren can make for their parents for Christmas and finally thanks to you we now have a great project we can make! Thank you! I am very excited!
I’m sure they will be wonderful!
How do you remove the baked beads from the pan?
When I did mine, you just let them cool and they should pop right out. Just turn the pan over and the pop out!
This is really cute I want to try it do you think a microwave would work I have an old one I could use outside I wonder how long it would take to melt them in a microwave 🙂
I’m thinking the microwave isn’t a good idea! I don’t know though! Honestly have no idea. If it works let me know! But of course, don’t put the beads in the metal pan like I did!!!
I made these several months ago after seeing something similar on pinterest. I’m a teacher and had wanted to make one of the crayon wreaths for my room – when that didn’t come together as I hoped, I changed plans and projects. Using 9″ cake pans, I made one solid sun catcher and for the second one I place a metal star shaped cookie cutter in the center. Both came out great. I then used hot glue to put crayons sticking out around the outer edge of the solid catcher (crayons sort of look like rays of sun) and then hot glued the catcher with the star cut out on top of the crayons … like a sun catcher/crayon sandwich! It turned out super cute!! I’m not sure why others are having problems with the beads not melting or coming out of the pans — unless they are using the wrong kind of beads (i.e. Perler beads made for fuse boards would definitely not come out of a pan!). Mine were made in toaster oven at 425F for 15- 20 mins (or longer if needed) and always popped right out of the pan as they cooled.
That sounds pretty cool! Glad you were able to get everything to work just right! Thanks for sharing!
Awesome! Can you think of an idea to write something on them? Pre or post baking… Like the event, or a name? I know you’ll come up with a great idea… 🙂 thank you!
Pre baking, maybe try smaller beads to spell out words. Post baking, paint, or something I’ve wanted to try was using colored hot glue!
Metal cookie cutters in letter shapes, weighed down…perfect for personalizing, monogram, words/phrases, etc. When completely cooled, trim access off sides to “perfect” the letter shape. Glue to over lap or conjoin for monogram idea 🙂
Another idea: try an angels food cake pan. Makes a round photo frame sun-catcher ornament, thingy idea 😉
Cheers!
~Janet
Both fantastic ideas! Love the letters idea! You could make letters for present toppers! Cool!!!
What did you use to trim off sides?
I didn’t trim off the edges…. You could probably sand it a little with a pretty low grit sandpaper if you need to, but I’ve never needed too.
I have made these using cookie cutters and it does leak a bit under them. I wonder if you could set a weight of some type on the cookie cutter to avoid this? Anyway it was only a tiny bit where the cookie cutter didn’t sit level and was no big deal. I believe it could be sanded off but it didn’t bother me. I made a hole for hanging with a metal skewer as soon as I took the beads out of the oven and it stayed open; I only made one so it was easy to do that, not sure if you could do it fast enough if you needed multiple holes. I also heated a skewer to push it through and that worked to make holes also; I actually liked it better as I could do it from the back as it leaves a rim around where you pull the skewer out and it looked better on the back, to me.
Awesome! Sounds cool! I love the skewer idea for the hole. Thanks for sharing!
I really want to make the suncatchers and the wind chimes. However, I only have a gas kitchen range. Can anyone tell me if they have done this successfully with a gas range? If so please let me know how things went. I don’t want to leap write in and blow something up with toxic fumes. This project is so attractive. I really want to try it, but I’m afraid to unless I know I won’t blow something up. Thanks
Sorry! I have no experience with gas. I don’t think it would be a problem, but really have no idea! Sorry I can’t be more help!
Thank you so much for this idea. My mother is in hospital and has a terrible view out of her window. I’m going to make a pile of these to brighten up her view. 🙂
Awesome! I hope they do and I hope they make her stay more bearable!
I have tried this but can’t seem to get the ‘shapes’ out of the container. I’ve tried cookie cutters too but it’s all one big mess stuck to my baking tray- any suggestions?
I’m sorry! Sorry I missed your comment and sorry that I don’t have an answer for you. Are you letting them cool? Mine have all just popped right out! But you do have to let cool for a while. You could try putting them in the freezer before popping them out. I do it with candles, but haven’t tried it with this… But it could work… Good luck!
I don’t know what I did wrong but I used my only pans and they did not come out . They wouldn’t budge threw away both pans so upset. Where did I go wrong?
I’m so sorry! I don’t know what to tell you! I’m really not an expert on it, unfortunately. I’ve never had them stick before. I wish I could help, but I just can’t know what happened.
How does it come off the pan? Does it slip right off or is there a trick to do to take them off
Mine just popped right out of the pan! I let it cool and then they just popped right out! Good luck!
This is probably a stupid question, but did you spray the pans with anything or did they just pop out with nothing? I’ve heard some people having issues trying to get them out.
I have heard that some people have problems, but I didn’t! Mine just popped right out. I did buy a cheap pans from Goodwill, just in case. But mine just popped right out!
This is so cute ❤
Thank you!!!
I have been making these all weekend since I found your page. I added a metal charm in the center.
Awesome! I’m so glad you are enjoying it! The metal charm is a great idea!
Hi…. loved your activity
Would like to know do we have to put any glue in the tray or not. Was curious to know what’s n that white layer form around the melted beads. Would love to do with my kids.
I’m not sure what the white is that you are seeing? The clear? The clear space are clear pony beads. No glue!
My small ones turned out great. My 2 year haphazardly placed the beads for those. My large one I did and all beads were faced holes up. Every bead I could see somewhat of an outline and an air bubble look in center of each bead. What did I do wrong?
Thanks!
Mine have bubbles too. I don’t mind it. I’m not sure about the outline! Like I mention in the post, I’ve only done this a couple of times as well. Unfortunately, I’m not an expert. So I don’t really know what you did wrong. And maybe it’s not wrong, just different! It’s a real trial and error type craft!
How do I prevent the little bubbles in the center that look like they are from the hole in the pony bead?
Honestly, I’m not sure. Did you try cooking it a little bit longer? Maybe?
Hello, I’ve been thinking about this little brad project for some time… So I bought my beads. Put them in my ceramic heart shaped baking pan.. I took them out of the oven and, unfortunately my dish is ruined… I can’t get them out!! They are stuck! Any ideas?? Or remedies???
I’m sorry about your dish! I’ve never had them stick to the pan. In one of the posts I recommended using a thrift store pan, or one that you don’t mind loosing. But again, I’m not an expert at this and don’t know why it sticks to some and not others. Sorry I can’t be more help, but I’ve never had them stick.
Mine didn’t stick to the pan. I used metal pans and once they cooled down they popped right out.
Love these sun catchers 😀 must try and make them myself 🔺🌟 🔺 🌟
I Can’t wait to try this with my family but I need t0 know what all you need to make these
It’s just pony beads and a cupcake tin!
Did you treat the cookie cutters? Like use cooking spray.
Sorry for the late response, but no, I did not treat them with anything.
Do you have to coat the pans with oil or anything
Sorry for the late response, but no, I didn’t coat my pans.
sullivankimberly354@gmail.com
I love the idea of this project and my granddaughters and i are excited to try it soon.
I was wondering if i string the beads perhaps we would be able to melt them in the shape of letters? What do you think?
It seems like it might work! I’m not sure! Sorry, I don’t have more info for you!
I LOVE IT THANK YOU!
No problem! Enjoy!