DIY Bioplastic Suncatchers – Nature’s Window Art
Create beautiful and eco-friendly bioplastic suncatchers using gelatin, glycerin, and natural items to catch and scatter light.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 120 minutes
- Total Time: 135 minutes
- Yield: 4 suncatchers
- Category: Crafting
- Method: Crafting
- Cuisine: N/A
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 tablespoons distilled water
- 1 tablespoon unflavored gelatin powder
- 1 teaspoon glycerin (optional)
- Natural items for embedding: pressed flowers, thin leaves, small grasses (fully dry)
- Food coloring or watercolor pigments (optional)
- Parchment paper
- Cookie cutters or a sharp craft knife
- Fine mesh strainer (optional)
- Heavy books or a small rolling pin wrapped in cloth
- A shallow dish for mixing
- Scissors and tweezers
Instructions
- Warm the distilled water in a small saucepan, then sprinkle gelatin over it. Let it bloom for a few minutes.
- On low heat, stir gently until the gelatin dissolves. Add glycerin if desired.
- If using color, mix a drop of food coloring or watercolor into the warm liquid and stir.
- Strain the warm mix through a fine mesh strainer into a heat-safe measuring cup.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, ensuring it is smooth.
- Pour a small pool of gelatin mixture onto the paper and spread it thinly.
- Using tweezers, place your dried nature bits onto the wet surface.
- If bubbles form, tap the tray gently to remove them.
- Let the sheets dry slowly in a warm, airy spot, avoiding direct sunlight.
- Once dry, trim shapes with cookie cutters or a knife, and punch holes if needed for hanging.
- Buff rough edges if necessary and attach string for hanging.
Notes
Glycerin is optional but helps improve flexibility. Ensure all botanical bits are dry to prevent moisture trapping.