DIY photo suncatchers
You’re going to want to clean your windows for this easy, inexpensive craft. Our DIY photo suncatchers are sure to brighten your day, especially when you print your own photos on Lazertran decal paper.
The nice thing about this DIY is that we use Plexiglas and don’t have to worry about it breaking if dropped. The thin, transparent acrylic allows photos to remain vibrant when held up to the light, and if you get tired of looking at the same photos, just swap them out with new ones!
Did you know suncatchers have been around since Southwest Native Americans made them as decorative pieces of glass to catch light? Glass has been around for what seems like forever (since 5,000 B.C.), evolving from small shards to blown glass vessels and windows made from full sheets of glass.
Stained glass windows in churches originally first depicted stories, events and notable people during the Middle Ages. Our suncatchers may not be on such a grand scale, but they’re meaningful to us and provide enjoyment with every sunny day.
- Lazertran Waterslide Decal Paper
- 8″ x 10″ Plexiglas sheet
- metal ruler
- pencil
- plastic cutter or X-acto knife
- drill and small bit or heavy duty hole punch
- X-acto knife
- needle nose pliers
- jump rings
- suction cup
- Print 3 photos on Waterslide Decal Paper for inkjet printers (you can choose however many you would like). Make sure to follow the instructions on the package).
- Allow photos 30 minutes to dry then cut out and set aside.
- Measure and cut Plexiglas sheet into 4″ x 4″ squares. Use a plastic cutter to make the job easier—we didn’t have one so it took some elbow grease and several swipes with an X-acto knife to accomplish the task.
- Drill a hole using a small bit at the top and bottom of each square (the last one needs only one hole at the top). Be sure to center each hole and not place it too close to the edge.
- Peel the protective coating from the squares and try not to get your fingerprints on them!
- Drop one photo into a bowl of water until the decal separates from the backing sheet—about 1 minute.
- Remove the photo from water and place it on the acrylic square then smooth out any bubbles using your fingers. Absorb excess water by blotting with a paper towel then allow it to dry several hours.
- Discard the soggy backing and repeat the process with each of the remaining photos.
- Once dry, use an X-acto knife to cut out holes on the photos using holes you made on the squares as a guide. Grab a needle nose pliers to attach jump rings and link the photos.
- Place a suction cup on a sunny window, hang your photos and watch them shine.