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Chicken Wire Sun Catcher
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How to Make a Chicken Wire Suncatcher

Upcycle a wood picture frame and use chicken wire and beads to make this amazing DIY suncatcher. This chicken wire suncatcher is really fun to make, and the end result is gorgeous! Follow our step-by-step tutorial to make your own.
Active Time2 hours
Total Time2 hours
Yield: 1 chicken wire suncatcher
Author: Debbie Chapman
Cost: $5

Equipment

Materials

Instructions

Step 1: Find what you need

  • Gather your supplies and materials.
    Chicken Wire Suncatcher Supplies

Step 2: Attach the wire to the frame

  • The main components for this suncatcher are chicken wire and a wooden frame. We bought our chicken wire at the dollar store and used a thrifted wooden shadow box frame.
    Tip: You might want to wear work gloves when cutting and attaching the wire -- it can be pretty vicious, and gloves will protect you from "bites".
    Chicken Wire Suncatcher
  • First, use wire cutters to cut a piece of chicken wire that's just a bit larger than the frame. This will make it easier to deal with.
    Chicken Wire Suncatcher
  • Line up the wire so it's straight in the frame and then use a staple gun to attach the wire on one side. Place a staple on each section of wire.
    Chicken Wire Suncatcher
  • Then stretch the wire down and staple the opposite side, so it's fairly taut.
    Chicken Wire Suncatcher
  • Repeat on the other two sides. Again, stretch out the wire so there's little to no slack.
    Chicken Wire Suncatcher
  • Now cut off the excess wire that's sticking out from the sides of the frame and use pliers to fold in the ends.
    You can also add hot glue to any sharp edges of the wire to ensure it won't scratch you or your walls/windows.
    Chicken Wire Suncatcher

Step 3: Make the charms

  • Next, gather various colours and sizes of glass beads. The exact number of beads you'll need depends on the size of your frame.
    (Read more about this below the tutorial.)
    Chicken Wire Suncatcher
  • Add 3 or 4 beads to a 40 mm eye pin. We added 2 orange and 1 clear here, with the largest bead in the middle.
    Chicken Wire Suncatcher
  • Cut off the excess pin, leaving about 3/8 inch above the beads.
    Chicken Wire Suncatcher
  • Use round nose pliers to make a loop above the beads.
    Chicken Wire Suncatcher
  • Repeat, making more charms in different colours.
    Just like with the number of beads, the exact number of charms needed will depend on the size of your frame. We made 27 beaded pins for this 6x6 inch frame.
    Chicken Wire Suncatcher

Step 4: Add jump rings

  • Use pliers to open a 7mm jump ring.
    Chicken Wire Suncatcher
  • Slide one of the charms onto the jump ring. Leave the jump ring open.
    Chicken Wire Suncatcher
  • Repeat, adding all the charms to jump rings.
    Chicken Wire Suncatcher

Step 5: Attach the charms

  • Slide one of the jump rings onto a vertical section of the chicken wire. This will let it dangle down into the open area below.
    Chicken Wire Suncatcher
  • Use two sets of pliers to close the jump ring tight.
    Chicken Wire Suncatcher
  • Repeat, adding charms until every open section is filled.
    Chicken Wire Suncatcher
  • Your chicken wire suncatcher is complete!
    Chicken Wire Suncatcher

Video

Notes

Looking for more wire & bead crafts? Here's a few of our favourites:
DIY Wire Wrapped Earrings
Beaded Butterfly Ring
How to Make a Beaded Plant