Sustainable Suncatchers That Glow in the Sunlight
A calming craft project that teaches you to make beautiful suncatchers using bioplastic and natural inclusions.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 suncatchers
- Category: Craft
- Method: Crafting
- Cuisine: Eco-Friendly
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- Cornstarch
- Water
- Glycerin (optional)
- Thin recycled clear plastic sheets
- Dried flowers
- Pressed leaves
- Tiny seeds
- Small feathers (optional)
- Mica powder or biodegradable shimmer powder
- Small glass beads or recycled bead fragments (optional)
- Heat-safe silicone mat or parchment paper
- Small saucepan and heatproof bowl
- Cookie cutters or small silicone molds
- Fine sandpaper (optional)
- Twine, thin cork, driftwood, or brass ring
- Scissors and small tweezers
- Shallow tray or flat surface
- Timer or watch
Instructions
- Prepare your workspace so it feels calm and clear.
- Keep a towel and water nearby.
- Lay the silicone mat or parchment on the table.
- Choose your inclusions and arrange them on the mat.
- Mix the bioplastic base if you use it.
- Warm the mixture slowly in a double boiler.
- Pour or spread the warm mixture onto the mat.
- Arrange dried flowers, mica, and beads on the warm surface.
- For defined shapes, press a cookie cutter into the warm sheet.
- If you use recycled plastic sheets, cut your shapes first.
- Allow each piece to cool in a quiet spot.
- Trim rough edges with scissors or fine sandpaper.
- Add a small hole for hanging with a heated skewer or punch.
- Thread twine or a brass ring through the hole.
- Test how the piece catches light by moving it toward the sun.
- If you want more glow, dust a tiny bit of mica or shimmer powder on top.
- Clean your workspace and store spare materials in labeled jars.
Notes
Suncatchers can be made using a variety of recycled materials and can be stored flat to prevent bending.