Welcome to another Wacky Workshops project – stained glass without the glass.

I love the look of stained glass but lack the patience needed for cutting the glass just right.

These projects offer the same lovely effect – without the need for dangerous cutting and soldering irons.

The first project can be used to cover an entire window if you want to add a little privacy or hide an ugly view.

I made this with students for their sensory room in a day centre I was working at as art therapist.

Their sensory room was at the front of the house so visitors standing at the front door could look straight in unless the curtains were drawn.

Our ‘stained glass’ project provided them with privacy and beautiful hues to add to the calm of the room.

STAINED GLASS WINDOW

LET’S GET STARTED

MATERIALS

• Clear contact paper
• Tissue paper and cellophane – various colours
• Black markers
• Scissors
• Double-sided tape
• Box cutters

METHOD

• Measure the window and cut the contact paper so it is just slightly larger on all sides. You will need two sheets of contact.
• Cut the tissue and cellophane into various shapes – simple and geometric are easiest.
• Remove the backing from the contact paper and place the tissue and cellophane shapes on its sticky side.
• It doesn’t matter if they overlap but try to avoid having too many empty (clear) places in the contact.
• Remove the backing from your second sheet of contact and carefully place this over the top of the tissue and cellophane. NOTE: It sometimes helps to have a second pair of hands to help with this, particularly if the window is large, to make it easier to avoid getting too many air bubbles in the paper.
• Gently press out air bubbles., but don’t worry if you can’t get them all – a few just add to the stained glass effect.
• Use the marker (and a ruler if necessary) to mark around each shape. The overlapping pieces of paper form their own shape.
• Put the double-sided tape on the edges of the window. Make a big cross in the middle of the window with the tape.
• Remove the tape backing and carefully press the contact paper onto it, making sure to line it up so it fits the window.
• Use the box cutters to trim the contact so it fits perfectly.

MINI STAINED GLASS WINDOWS – GREAT FOR DOLL HOUSES AND CHARMS

Another fun way to create stained glass is by using plastic beads.

I used this method for the pottery dragon castle lamp, pictured below. This was made when I had my own homemade pottery business.

More recently, I have used the technique to make a gorgeous waterfall for the Goddesses’ fairy garden. Find out how in Fairy Garden Crafts to Make.

I used the same technique to make the beautiful heart decoration pictured below.

MATERIALS

• Plastic beads – assorted colours
• Some kind of form. For the castle lamp, I used a clay form to make the window sill. For the heart, I used an old cake tin. You can use metal cookie cutters if you want to make charms.
• Oven

METHOD

• Place the beads inside your form and place on an oven tray – use foil to line it.
• Now is the time to add extra embellishments, such as glitter, like I used in the heart.
• Place in a preheated hot oven around 200 degrees fo 10 to 20 minutes until the beads have melted.
• If you want to hang your creation, use a drill to make a hole and add the fishing line.

MINI ROSE WINDOWS

During my arts and craft for kids workshops, I often have an international theme, which is a great way to teach them about other parts of the world and some of the famous buildings.

During a class about France, we made the Notre Dame, complete with Rose Window.

We used old boxes and cut them into shapes for the building.

Then we cut a circular hole out of the front of the box – we removed the back so the sun could shine through our ‘window’.

Then came the fun part, decorating the box with beads and creating our window.

MATERIALS

• Wax paper – NOTE: It must be WAX paper, not baking or parchment paper, these won’t work.
• Crayons – assorted colours
• Old cheese grater or vegetable peeler
• Paper towels
• Scissors
• Iron

METHOD

• Place the wax paper over two paper towels.
• Use the grater or vegetable peeler to make crayon shavings. You can add them straight on top of the wax paper or place them in colour piles (so you can make a design on the wax paper later).
• Once you have your shavings in place on the wax paper, cover with another sheet of wax paper.
• Cover this with two sheets of paper towel – this helps to distribute the heat evenly and protects your iron.
• With the temperature on its lowest setting, run the iron over the top of the paper towel, back and forth, until all the shavings have melted.
• You can use this to add to clear plastic frames for a pretty picture, or cut it into a circle and make your own Rose Window.

Why not join me on a wonderfully Wacky trip?

Happy crafting and have a gleeful week, Tamuria.