DIY Suncatchers with Glass Beads

This glass bead suncatcher looks SO PRETTY sparkling in the sun! And best of all, it’s super easy to make — add glue to a sour cream or yogurt container lid and add your glass beads. It’s quick, simple, and a super fun way to use glass beads!

DIY Suncatchers with Glass Beads

Glass bead suncatchers are so colourful and cheerful! Hang them in the window and they brighten up the room as the sun shines through the colourful beads.

We got all the supplies for these suncatchers at the dollar store, so they’re also really inexpensive to make! Just make sure you use clear glue, not white glue, because not all white glue dries clear. (I tried white glue for this craft the first time around and learned that the hard way!)

These suncatchers with glass beads also make great homemade gifts! It’s so easy to customize them! Make red and green suncatchers for Christmas gifts (they also look pretty as an ornament!), or choose your favourite colours to make a design. You can even add other types of glass or plastic beads for even more colour and texture.

Check out our Glass Bead Suncatcher video tutorial:

*Note: Scroll down for the step-by-step photo tutorial.

Here’s what you’ll need:

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The full printable instructions are at the end of this post, but here’s a list of products on Amazon and Target that are similar to the supplies we used:

• Glass beads
• Clear glue
• Plastic lid
• Needle
• Fishing line
• Suction cup hooks

What type of glass beads are best to use?

The “beads” used in this suncatcher are not traditional beads (with a hole in a middle). This type of glass bead is sometimes referred to as a “flat glass marble” or “flat glass gem” – the kind you often find in vases or candleholders.

For this project you can use any type of flat, smooth glass. You can also use sea glass, or regular plastic or glass beads (the kinds with the holes in them), as long as they’re clear or translucent.

Where can I get flat glass beads?

We got our glass beads from the dollar store, but the colour selection there was really limited. Search Amazon for flat glass marbles for more colour choices.

Michaels, Walmart, and other craft stores should also carry them – usually alongside the candles holders and vases.

What type of lid is best to use?

We used a sour cream lid with a diameter of 4.5 inches. You want to use a lid that is flexible, to make it easy for the suncatcher to come out of the “mold” once it’s dry. Any type of plastic lid can be used – yogurt, cottage cheese, margarine, etc.

These lids can also be reused to make more suncatchers in the future – simply peel off any remaining glue once your suncatcher is removed from the lid.

Can I hang this glass bead suncatcher outside?

Unfortunately I wouldn’t recommend putting this suncatcher outside, as the Elmer’s clear school glue is washable and the suncatcher would start to fall apart if exposed to rain or snow.

If you’re in a warmer southern climate you also want to make sure the suncatcher doesn’t receive constant sun – I’ve heard reports that the glue will start to melt if under direct sunlight for too long. Our suncatcher only receives a few hours of direct sun, and it has held up well.

This suncatcher is one of the easiest crafts we’ve made this year! You can make it in a few minutes, and they look so pretty shining in the sun. Try making one with glitter glue for an extra fun sparkle!

Here’s even more great craft ideas:

Glass Bead Candle Holders

Dried Flower Ornaments

Beaded DIY Wind Chimes

Our book Low-Mess Crafts for Kids is loaded with 72 fun and simple craft ideas for kids! The projects are fun, easy and most importantly low-mess, so the clean up is simple!