Tuesday, May 3, 2016

Faux Stained Glass

mustruninthefamily.com

I remember making these faux stained glass projects as a kid in Mr.Olsen's 4th grade class.  I often thought they would be fun to make with my kids.  Then, I found the paint on clearance at my local craft store.  I was so excited for my girls to try it.  They loved it!  They even had a friend over, who asked if I would buy her a kit for her birthday.

You can buy them as a kit with the simulated liquid lead and a few window colors or individually.
These are the ones we used.


I prefer the look of simulated lead.  However, The simulated liquid lead is a little thick and hard for little kids to squeeze out, so we bought a bottle of black puffy paint to try as well.  Worked like a charm, did seem to take longer to dry and is still softer when completely dry.  Plus, it's a lot cheaper.


You need a large variety of window color colors.
Keep in mind the color darkens and becomes translucent when dry.  
Be sure to  check the color the bottle says it is, not just what it looks like wet.



We used clear transparency film we bought at our local thrift store, or you can use glass from a frame.
*If you use glass it could cut you or break easily so use caution! 
Transparency film is highly recommended!



We found pictures of stained glass on-line, in coloring books, or we made our own.
Just make sure that all lines are closed to give it the stain glass look, and for color separation.


Tape the picture to the table.  
You don't need to be quite as extreme as my daughter, just enough to hold it in place.


Place the transparency paper over the desired design.
If wanted you can tape it down.


With your simulated lead trace the design onto the transparency paper.
You will want a thick even bead.


Some lines were too intricate, so we simplified our designs as we went.
You may want to do this before you begin.

Inspired by a image uploaded to www.pinterest.com
Inspired by a picture found on www.decorative-films-by-maryanne.com
Inspired by a picture found on www.bestglasspatterns.com
Inspired by a picture found on www.freetattoodesigns.org
Wait a few hours for you simulated lead to dry.


Once dry, fill in simulated lead sections with the window color completely.


Pop any bubbles with a toothpick, they will show if not popped.


We used a Q-tip to clean up any mistakes.





If you are taking window color to the edge of the paper, it must be outlined in simulated lead, to hold the color in.


Once window color is completely filled in, let dry over night.


This picture is done on a 4X6 glass frame.

Image inspired by the band twenty one pilots logo
 www.twentyonepilots.com







The Final Result. 







It dries soft and lightly bendable.
It will crack if bend too much.


You can hang in a window with the transparency paper attached.
Or
You can make it a window cling by gently peeling the transparency paper off the completely dried window color.  I don't recommend peeling off the transparency paper, because it tears easily, sticks in places and you have to of completely and thickly coated every bit of the transparency paper with window color to remove in tact.

I recommend hanging it so the transparency paper touched the window to prevent the sun from melting the window color to the actual window.  Also, use caution if window coverings touch the simulated lead or window color it might eventually stick to it and be hard to remove.

The kids had a blast making these faux stained glass projects and we hope you do too.

If you liked this project you might also like:
Faux Stained Glass

Sharpie tie dye