Crayon Stained Glass Suncatchers

If you’re stuck at home while most of the stores are closed, it doesn’t mean you can’t still create some fun crafts with your kids! These Crayon Stained Glass Suncatchers require very few supplies – and you probably have most of them somewhere in your house right now!

What You’ll Need:

Design (see suggestions below)
Cardstock (preferably black)
Wax Paper
Crayons
Household Iron
Parchment Paper or Copy Paper (optional)
Pencil
Scissors
Liquid Glue or Glue Stick
Double-Sided Tape or String
Silhouette Studio
Silhouette Cameo or Portrait (or Curio with the large base)

Step 1: Choose a Design

Choose a design that has plenty of open space to show off the colors. Depending on the design you choose, you may need to create an offset to thicken the lines, ungroup the design (or release the compound path) to get just the portion you want, or center the design within a circle or square to create a border.

The Silhouette Design Store is full of possibilities, but here are a few that I tried:

Marvelous Coloring Butterfly Clothes Pin by Mini Lou
Silhouette Design Store ID 297348

Stained Glass Heart by Paige Evans
Silhouette Design Store ID 216942

Cutout Flower Card by Alaa’ K
Silhouette Design Store ID 40473

Sunburst Square by Silhouette
Silhouette Design Store ID 2770

Square Stained Glass Page Frame by Jennifer Wambach
Silhouette Design Store ID 91950

Dragonfly Card by Studio Illustrado
Silhouette Design Store ID 134720

You could even use coloring book images or other clipart.

Step 2: Cut the Outlines

Use your Silhouette machine to cut two copies of the design – one for the front and one for the back. I mirrored one image for the back, but if your cardstock is the same color on both sides you can cut two identical images.

The design can be as large or small as you desire. Mine are all about 4.5 inches high so that I could fit both the front and back on one 8.5-inch x 11-inch piece of cardstock.

Step 3: Create the Crayon Stained Glass

Cut a piece of wax paper approximately one inch larger on all sides than the outline. For example, if your outline is 4 inches x 6 inches, you’ll need a sheet of wax paper that is 6 inches by 8 inches.

Color the entire sheet of wax paper using a variety of crayons. You’ll have some wiggle room here but get as close to the edges as possible. For best results, bear down heavily on the crayon while coloring and overlap the colors slightly. Don’t brush away the crayon “crumbs” – they’ll make the colors even more vibrant.

Cover the colored area with another sheet of wax paper. Use a dry iron on a medium to high setting to melt the colors and adhere both pieces of wax paper together. Be sure to protect your work surface and make sure all edges of the crayon drawing are covered so no wax transfers to the iron! Cover with a piece of parchment paper (or copy paper) before ironing, if necessary.

Step 4: Complete the Suncatcher

Place the front outline over the fused wax paper. Use a pencil to trace around the edge.

Trim the fused wax paper inside the traced line.

Glue the front outline to the wax paper cutout. Repeat for the back outline. Trim away any excess wax paper that extends beyond the outline.

Use double-sided tape or add a loop of string to hang the suncatcher in a sunny window.

Like what you see here? Share the image below to Pinterest!

I hope I’ve inspired you to try making some of these suncatchers either on your own or with your kids. It’s a simple project but leaves lots of room for creativity. And when you’re finished, why not share a photo or two over in the Silhouette Crafters by Design Facebook group??? I always love to see what you create!

Until next time,

Lycia Evanoff

Lycia is a lifelong crafter whose goal is to help others find value, confidence, and joy in whatever they create. She geeks out on using technology to supercharge craft projects with Silhouette Studio, Design Space, Glowforge, sublimation, etc.! Lycia teaches these skills and more through online tutorials and videos as well as in-person classes at both the local and national levels.