How do I create my suncatcher:
In the simplest terms…
1. Attach your suncatcher to plastic with modge podge.
2. Mix your resin and colorants.
3. Pour your mixed colors into the suncatcher.
4. Wait for the resin to cure
5. Remove the plastic and hang you suncatcher.
We will soon be creating videos of the step by step process and posting them on the site.
1. Attach your suncatcher to plastic:
We have found the easiest way to fill your suncatcher is to attach it to plastic. We use the thicker table covering plastic in our studio, but have found that thinner plastic can work. We cut the plastic to be about 2” larger than the suncatcher. The only issue we have found is that if the plastic is too shiny, the suncatcher can release from it easier than if it was attached to the thicker and less shiny plastic.
A. We use Modge Podge, but you can try other liquid glue. Pour a little bit of glue onto a plate and dab a sponge dabber into the glue, dabbing away from the glue to get rid of any excess, and then dab one side of your suncatcher. Make sure that all lines have glue on them.
B. Place the suncatcher glue side down on the plastic. Add a light weight to the top of it to help keep it down while the glue dries. Something like a book works great. Make sure you wipe away any glue residue on the top before you put down anything.
C. Wait until the glue dries, about 3 - 4 hours, or overnight.
D. Remove the book. Make sure you don’t lift the suncatcher off of the plastic. We usually carefully flip the plastic over, making sure not to lift the suncatcher from the plastic, to ensure that it is glued down all over. If it is not, you can apply a small amount of glue on the outside of the areas not glued down.
E. If there is a lot of the suncatcher not attached, it is probably best to remove it and start over.
2. Mix your resin and colorants:
Most suncatchers take around 4.5 ounces of resin to fill the entire form. You can mix your resin in small batches to ensure you are not over mixing and that you will have enough time to fill your suncatcher before the resin get’s to thick to pour.
A. Figure out what colors you are wanting to use and where they will go. We have found it a good idea to write it down, that way you will remember where all the colors go once you start pouring.
B. Mix your resin according to the instructions.
C. Add a small amount of colorant to small paper or plastic cups. We usually use 1 ounce cups for most colors.
D. Pour the resin into the cups and mix thoroughly.
3. Pour the mixed colorants and resin into your suncatcher:
A. Pour the mixed resin into each separate cell of the suncatcher, be sure to not overfill, about ¾ full is usually ample.
B. If you are wanting to add more than one color to a cell, make sure to add both colors right away to each cell. We have found that if you add one color and come back later, the first color disappears under the second color.
C. Once you have filled each cell, you can go back and swirl or mix the colors in each cell if there is more than one.
4. Wait for the resin to cure:
A. Wait at least the amount of time needed to cure according to the resin instructions. We usually wait another day or two, just to make sure it is fully cured.
5. Remove the plastic:
A. Once the resin is cured, remove the plastic off of the back and clean off any resin that might have been spilled. This should just snap off, but you may need to take a deburring tool to remove any excess from the outside.
B. You can hang your suncatcher anywhere it will catch the sun, however; resin is not typically heat resistant, make sure not to place it in a hot window or where it can be exposed to heat.