Glow Bead Suncatchers
🛒 Supplies Needed:
Makes 1 suncatcher
- Translucent plastic pony beads (or glow-in-the-dark beads)
- Metal baking molds, muffin tins, or cookie cutters on foil-lined trays
- Optional: metal jump rings or drill (for hanging hole)
- String, twine, or fishing line
- Oven or toaster oven
- Foil (to line your tray)
- Optional: glow-in-the-dark paint for added glow effect
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☀️ Instructions:
Step 1: Preheat Your Oven
Preheat to 400°F (204°C).
Line a baking tray with aluminum foil for protection.
Step 2: Fill the Mold
Arrange pony beads in a single layer inside a metal baking mold or cookie cutter placed on foil.
Create patterns, shapes, or mix random colors for a stained-glass look.
Use glow-in-the-dark beads or add a few dots of glow paint for nighttime effect.
Step 3: Melt the Beads
Place the tray in the oven and bake for 15–25 minutes, until beads are fully melted.
Ventilate your kitchen well—some plastic beads can smell while melting.
Step 4: Cool & Pop Out
Let the melted bead disc cool completely (about 15 minutes).
Carefully remove from mold or pop off the foil.
Step 5: Add Hanging Loop
Use a drill or heated skewer to make a small hole at the top.
Thread string or fishing line through and tie for hanging.
Step 6: Display
Hang in a sunny window, porch, or tree branch.
Charge under sunlight for a soft nighttime glow!