Glass Sun Catcher

Make a glass sun catcher for the outdoors.

That's Clever! : Episode HCLVR-117 -- More Projects »
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Project by Haley K. Holmes from San Antonio, Texas

Jewelry isn't Haley Holmes' only love. Once she realized how versatile glass was for jewelry making she began experimenting to find out what else she could do with it. She came up with a clever sun catcher!

Materials:

fusible glass:
- 4, 1-1/2" x 4" amber triangles
- 4, 1-1/2" x 3" amber triangles
- 1" x 1-1/2" amber rectangle
- 1" x 1-1/2" red rectangle
glasscutter
glass cutting fluid
kiln
kiln wash
grozing pliers
wood skewer
1/4" x 1-1/2" thick fiber paper
fluorocarbon fishing line

Steps:

1. Cut eight amber glass triangles:

  • four triangles about 4-inches inches wide
  • four triangles about 3-inches wide
  • clean with alcohol or in hot soapy water
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Figure A
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Figure B
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Figure C
2. Arrange the eight triangle glass pieces, on a prepared kiln shelf, so they form a cross with the small ends of the triangle touching in the center (figure A). Tip: Arrange the four 4-inch triangles in a cross shape and position the four 3-inch triangles in-between the large triangles.

3. Cut a 1" x 1-1/2" small red glass rectangle. Clean thoroughly and place over the center of the sun catcher (figure B).

4. Cut a 1" x 1-1/2 small amber glass rectangle. Place the narrow (1/4" x 1-1/2") fiber paper on the glass about an inch below the top and position the amber glass rectangle over the paper. As the glass melts, it will create a channel to hang the sun catcher. Balance the glass so that it completely covers the fiber paper but remains open on the sides (figure C).

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Figure D
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Figure E
5. Bring to a full fuse. Approximately 1330 degrees with a 10-minute hold.

6. When the kiln has cooled, remove the sun catcher and poke the fiber paper out with a wood skewer and rinse the hole out with water (figure D).

7. Run fluorocarbon fishing line through the hole and tie it off (figure E). Fluorocarbon fishing line will stand up to the outside elements. Tip: Avoid monofilament fishing line because it won't stand up to the sun.

Adorn your yard with this glass sun catcher.

E-mail: wickedstepsistersjewelry@yahoo.com

Website: www.wickedstepsisters.com