An Easy Craft Idea
* Have you acquired a collection of left over beads?
* Do you like things that sparkle?
* Do you delight in combining a rainbow of colors together?
* Would you like to try an easy craft idea?
Beaded Crystal Suncatchers are easy to make. There is no right or wrong way to create one. It just takes a little imagination, a handful of bright colored beads, a twinkling embellishment & a dash of fun!
* Do you like things that sparkle?
* Do you delight in combining a rainbow of colors together?
* Would you like to try an easy craft idea?
Beaded Crystal Suncatchers are easy to make. There is no right or wrong way to create one. It just takes a little imagination, a handful of bright colored beads, a twinkling embellishment & a dash of fun!
What is a Suncatcher?
Also known as a Lightcatcher or Window Crystals
Suncatcher (Sun Catcher) or LightCatcher is a small, reflective crystal or glass component that is usually suspended in windows, so that it "catches the light" from a nearby source. Depending on the crystal supplies used, it can emanate a rainbow effect often looking like "dancing lights". Create your own Handmade Gift
Suncatchers are perfect to give to someone special
Over the years I've gathered ideas and tricks to mould crystal suncatcher designs into cherished keepsakes for friends and family. They are great gift giving ideas and more importantly, they are hand-crafted by you. People appreciate it when the thought and time is invested into the gift they have received.Crystal Suncatchers are the perfect gift giving idea for:
- Christenings
- Births
- Housewarmings
- Wedding
- Birthday
- Mothers Day or Fathers Day
- Teacher
- Best Friend
- School Fete
- Christmas plus more!
Beading Supplies
The beads & crystals I like to use:
Crystal Prisms 
are the focal component used for the Suncatcher Crystal. They come in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors. I like using the Crystal Sun Disc - they are 45mm in diameter & radiate the most magnificent sparkle
Metal Craft Charms
are an ideal component to add a little character. There is such a variety of designs available, including angel wings, dragonflies, hearts, moon, astrology zodiac charms, plus more.
Crystal Octagons
add the sparkle and color. I find these are a necessity, as these help create the dancing lights!
Glass Beads
or little metal Butterfly Beads are perfect to add decoration
You will also need the following
Jewelry Findings:
Tigertail Beading Wire
Gold or Silver Crimp Beads
Pendant Bail (optional)
are the focal component used for the Suncatcher Crystal. They come in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors. I like using the Crystal Sun Disc - they are 45mm in diameter & radiate the most magnificent sparkleMetal Craft Charms
are an ideal component to add a little character. There is such a variety of designs available, including angel wings, dragonflies, hearts, moon, astrology zodiac charms, plus more.Crystal Octagons
add the sparkle and color. I find these are a necessity, as these help create the dancing lights!Glass Beads
or little metal Butterfly Beads are perfect to add decorationYou will also need the following
Jewelry Findings:Tigertail Beading Wire
Gold or Silver Crimp Beads
Pendant Bail (optional)
Suncatcher Supplies
Get Started Making your Suncatcher
A few handing hints
I always place the Crystal Prism and colored beads in front of me and move them around into place, before I string them.Often I go wild and use vibrant colours as this brightens up my mood. If I'm feeling mellow, I love subtle colors - like blues, greens, turquoise.
You will know what colors you will want to work with, as it often depends on the emotional mood that our body, mind and spirit is in.
When you are happy with the layout, then go ahead and thread the components, with your beading wire.
Completing Your Suncatcher
How do I join my Suncatcher?
Now we need to fasten the crimps to the beading wire to stop our beads from falling off. Before we start, let me give you a brief explanation of these essential items:
Tigertail - the beading wire used to thread your beads and crystals. I use a smooth, silver nylon coated thread that doesn't kink. My favourite brand is Beadalon, sold in various lengths. The length to make your crystal suncatcher is entirely up to you - depending on how decorative you would like to make it.
Crimp Beads (Crimps) - these are little metal beads in gold or silver. They are used to secure your thread. Basically it avoids tying knots. The wire is threaded through the crimp bead, around the clasp loop or through the top of the Crystal Prism and then back through the crimp bead.
When you have your crimp in place, you compress it with Crimping Pliers, which curls/bends the crimp bead and seals the connection. Alternatively, if you don't have Crimping Pliers, you can use Flat Nose Pliers. The difference is that the Flat Nose Pliers wont curl the crimp around the wire, instead your crimp will lay flat.
Your done! Now hang your Crystal Suncatcher in a window that catches the Sun and watch the dancing lights.
Tigertail - the beading wire used to thread your beads and crystals. I use a smooth, silver nylon coated thread that doesn't kink. My favourite brand is Beadalon, sold in various lengths. The length to make your crystal suncatcher is entirely up to you - depending on how decorative you would like to make it.
Crimp Beads (Crimps) - these are little metal beads in gold or silver. They are used to secure your thread. Basically it avoids tying knots. The wire is threaded through the crimp bead, around the clasp loop or through the top of the Crystal Prism and then back through the crimp bead.
When you have your crimp in place, you compress it with Crimping Pliers, which curls/bends the crimp bead and seals the connection. Alternatively, if you don't have Crimping Pliers, you can use Flat Nose Pliers. The difference is that the Flat Nose Pliers wont curl the crimp around the wire, instead your crimp will lay flat.
Your done! Now hang your Crystal Suncatcher in a window that catches the Sun and watch the dancing lights.
Great Stuff on eBay
Beading Tools to Make your Suncatcher
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Beading Ideas at your Fingertips
Ready for instant download......
- The Complete Bead Guide
- I think the book is great. A lot of questions about bead sizes, shapes, what thread or wire to use, and origin were answered.
- Beading for Beginners
- A complete Beading for Beginners book with quick and easy beading basic instructions and beading techniques
- Craft Show Success Secrets
- Make money at Craft Shows. Finally, specific advice to make money by selling your crafts at craft shows.
- How to Make Beaded Creatures
- Looking for awesome beading ideas and bead patterns? This complete guide teaches you how to make different beaded creatures with very detailed step by step instructions and pictures.
- My Beads Club
- Unlimited access to bead patterns and make jewelry projects, View as many as you like, choose from over a hundred bead patterns for necklaces, bracelets, earrings, special occasions, wedding, and homeware.
- Jewelry Selling Secrets, Start A Jewely & Craft Business From Home
- Kameron Kay shows artists and jewelers how to start a lucrative business selling jewelry to shops, boutiques, and on the internet.
- Ideas on Where to Sell Your Jewelry & Craft Creations
- A list of ideas on where to sell your craft & jewelry creations online and at market stalls.
Getting Creative with Beads
Jewelry Making & Beading For Dummies
Amazon Price: $13.59 (as of 12/03/2009) 
Big Book of Beautiful Beads: Over 100 Beading Projects You Can Make
Amazon Price: $16.49 (as of 12/03/2009)
The Bead Directory: The Complete Guide to Choosing and Using more than 600 Beautiful Beads
Amazon Price: $18.96 (as of 12/03/2009)
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- sunsetcrystals sunsetcrystals Sep 13, 2009 @ 8:43 am | in reply to chessie171
- Thanks for the great feedback, Will. Really appreciate it.
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- chessie171 chessie171 Sep 13, 2009 @ 5:40 am
- Thanks for sharing this guide. It's also a handy page for finding the necessary beading supplies. Cheers, Will
by sunsetcrystals
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