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Suncatchers: Crafts Using Stained Glass Cobbles

RitaK by RitaK

How to Make a Stained Glass Suncatcher for your Window

A simple yet awesome glass craft that utilizes "green" materials to make an easy to do wreath that can be used as an ornament or sun-catcher. This is a really cool craft project that takes just a few materials and just a little time to complete. Crafting with Stained Glass Cobbles is really gratifying not only does the beautiful cathedral stained glass make the finished piece stunning the glass itself is a truly green product made here in the USA from recycled bottles and plate glass. Each little cobble has had its edges softly rounded taking the "ouch" out of having to cut and grind it yourself. Following is the complete set of instructions in an easy to follow photo tutorial. Enjoy!

Glasscraft Project Contents

Suncatcher Material List

Mixed Blue Stained Glass Cobbles for use in glass mosaics and other craft projects2.5 ounce package of Mixed Blues Stained Glass Cobbles
2.5 ounce package of Mixed Green Stained Glass Cobbles
Mixed Assortment of Blue and Green Glass Beads
1-length of 1/2" wide ribbon 30" long (for hanging the wreath)
1-length of 1/2" wide ribbon 12" long for bow
Clear Glass Adhesive (I use E6000)
Clear Acrylic for doughnut base
wood skewer or toothpick
NOTE: The wreath only need 2.5 ounces of Cobbles to complete. The wreath design shown has blues and greens so two packages were needed to achieve the chosen color scheme. Double your ribbon and you will be able to craft two wreaths.

An Illustrated Guide to Crafting a Stained Glass Wreath

Click on the picture to view steps

1. Clear acrylic is needed for the backing on which the Stained Glass Cobbles will be adhered. I have used a plastic clam shell in this tutorial but you can also purchase sheets of clear plastic from your local craft store or Amazon. Using a compass draw a circle template approximately 3 1/2" in diameter with a Sharpie fine line pen. Repeat this step to mark a smaller inside circle 1 1/4" in diameter. Draw a small hangar tab on the top of the circle from which the ribbon will be attached, make it about 1 1/2" wide at its base and gently curve it upwards to 1/4" in height. See photo for inspiration.

1. Clear acrylic is needed for the backing on which the Stained Glass Cobbles will be adhered. I have used a plastic clam shell in this tutorial but you can also purchase sheets of clear plastic from your local craft store or Amazon. Using a compass draw a circle template approximately 3 1/2" in diameter with a Sharpie fine line pen. Repeat this step to mark a smaller inside circle 1 1/4" in diameter. Draw a small hangar tab on the top of the circle from which the ribbon will be attached, make it about 1 1/2" wide at its base and gently curve it upwards to 1/4" in height. See photo for inspiration.

1. Clear acrylic is needed for the backing on which the Stained Glass Cobbles will be adhered. I have used a plastic clam shell in this tutorial but you can also purchase sheets of clear plastic from your local craft store or Amazon. Using a compass draw a circle template approximately 3 1/2" in diameter with a Sharpie fine line pen. Repeat this step to mark a smaller inside circle 1 1/4" in diameter. Draw a small hangar tab on the top of the circle from which the ribbon will be attached, make it about 1 1/2" wide at its base and gently curve it upwards to 1/4" in height. See photo for inspiration.
2. Using scissors or an razor blade knife cut out the large circle. To remove the center section first cut a spoke like pattern within the circle template then remove the small sections. Clean the plastic doughnut of all traces of the marking pen using a paper towel.
3. Cut a small slit the width of your ribbon along the base of the hanging tab following the curve of the circle. Insert the ribbon pulling it through until both ends are equal in length. It is important that the ribbon be added before you glue on the cobbles so that the glass can overlay the hanger.
4. Lay out your glass cobbles around your circle then mix the colors to create a pleasing mix. The wreath is made by gluing two overlapping layers of Stained Glass Cobbles on top of each other. The bottom layer will have the most cobbles. I enjoy a mix of colors on both layers. Experiment to find your personal preference.
5. Once you are ready to start gluing move the cobbles to the outside of the circle and make sure the ribbon is not going to interfere with your "cobbling". Set up your work area so that you have all your needed craft tools nearby. I like to have my glue standing upright in a old glass jar next to my project so I can easily have use of it. I also will have strips of newspaper or paper towels handy to wipe off any excess glue.
6. To adhere the cobbles take a small drop of glue onto a wood skewer or toothpick then smear the adhesive onto a cobble then place the piece of glass on to the plastic circle starting with the outside edge. It is perfectly okay to have the cobbles extend past the outside and inside circle giving it a more jagged appearance. There will be gaps between the cobbles which gives it a mosaic look.
7. Once finished with the bottom layer glue on the top layer overlapping the bottom cobbles. It is exciting to see how the layering of colors over each other enhance the beauty of the finished piece.
8. For the final touch add a few beads to your stunning piece. I first lay out all the beads that might work well with the colors of cobbles I have used. By placing the beads on a white paper plate or my favorite is to reuse a clam shell, you can easily locate the bead that you want to place, plus keep the little guys from flying off the table.
9. The actual gluing of the beads can be the most "cross-eyed" part of the project....those little tiny beads love to go flying in all directions so I have discovered that the easiest way for me to adhere them to the wreath (in the place where I want them to stay put), is by using the pointed end of a wood skewer or toothpick. I first use the skewer to lay down a drop of glue on the the spot where the bead is to go, then I take the still sticky skewer, pick up the bead, and then place it. Have fun with the beading, it really adds nice dimension to the finished piece.
10. To complete the wreath I make a small bow that I attach with glue to the ribbon. For the pictured wreath I adhered two small cobbles to the bow, beads work well too. The ends of the ribbon were tied into an attractive knot for hanging. Beautiful!

Where To Buy Stained Glass Cobbles?

Amazon has all of the colors and sizes available in three package quantities, 2.5 oz, 8 oz, and 16 oz. Shipping is free on Cobble orders of $25 or more and they are shipped to arrive at your door within 3 to 4 business days. The company has been manufacturing colored sheet glass for the stained glass and architectural industries for over 30 years. A top notch business! And "green" too! All of their glass is made from recycled bottles and windows. They were the first US company to do so starting way back in the 1970's.
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Which Glass Beads To Use?

I have a bead addiction, there are so many awesome beads on the market that I have started to collect a few on just about every trip to the craft store. The beads that I particularly love to add to my glass mosaics are (of course) made of transparent glass. They add such wonderful depth to the projects. I seem to always use a mix of small E-beads along with a few in larger ones, usually no bigger than 1/4", unless they are so amazing that I have to use them. I selected a couple of bead choices from Amazon that would work really well. Hmmm, I think I need to get a few more too!
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Thoughts Welcomed!

  • KM9999999 Jun 6, 2011 @ 11:53 pm | delete
    Your suncatcher is beautiful.
  • whirlwind May 29, 2011 @ 9:40 am | delete
    Hello RitaK. I like your "Suncatchers: Crafts Using Stained Glass Cobbles"lens. Thanks for sharing how to make one with easy to follow instructions. And I agree that wreaths hung on windows or mirrors do "add a bit of sparkle to hum drum days."
  • Evelyn_Saenz May 28, 2011 @ 9:27 pm | delete
    Beautiful stained glass wreaths. I now know what to do with sea glass when we find it on the beach.
  • charmilbrettdotcom May 20, 2011 @ 4:44 am | delete
    I am SO enthused and inspired by your lens.
  • skiesgreen Feb 15, 2011 @ 9:16 pm | delete
    You are such a lovely crafts master and I have been stunned by many of your lenses, this one no excepion. featured on Motivation.
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Stained Glass Cobbles Mosaic Hanging Wreath

This So Crafty page written by

RitaK

I love making these little wreaths for my friends and family. Hung in windows or on a mirror they just add a bit of sparkle to hum drum days.

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Stained Glass Cobbles 

Mixed Blues

Mixed Blue Stained Glass Cobbles-2.5 ounces

Mixed Blue Stained Glass Cobbles-2.5 ounces

Amazon Price: $3.98 (as of 06/01/2012)Buy Now