Creating a Sun Catcher

Choose a Pattern

• For this project, you will need to choose a pattern from my Sun Catcher collection for Glass Eye. You will find that in the outbox for this class.

• You may modify the colors of the pattern if you wish, but don’t use any really dark colors when you print because you won’t be able to see your lines and numbers.

• Attach piece numbers. Go to “Text”, select “Piece Labelling”, and check “Show Numbers.”

Planning Details

• Details such as eyes can be done in a number of ways. You need to plan these before settling on your pattern.

Glue on rounded nuggets of glass after finishing.

Add soldered wire to make

more complex shapes.

Paint on features before

foiling.The glass paint has to be heat

cured

Size your pattern.

Your pattern needs to fit on one sheet of paper. There are two ways to do it:

• Go to Page Set Up, and select “All on one page”. Check it on Print Preview.

• Go to Modify, select “Resize all”, then input a maximum height of 8” and width of 6”. Be sure “Maintain Proportions” is checked. Check it on Print Preview.

Print 2 copies of the pattern.• Print one copy on regular

printer paper—this is the layout pattern.

• Print one copy on tag board—this is the cutting pattern.

• Bring your patterns to me for a quick check.

• Cut out the tag board pattern pieces.

• Store your pattern pieces in your envelope.

Cut your first piece.

• Trace around the pattern piece with a Sharpie.

• Cut in the center of the Sharpie line.

• Break, tap, and nibble out pieces to get the correct shape.

• Any extra scores or cracks will break later when the project is heated up.

Grind the piece.• Grind the entire

outside of the glass piece so that foil will stick.

• Be sure that the glass piece fits perfectly on your layout pattern. If it is inaccurate, the next pieces will not fit correctly.

• Wash well and dry when it is perfect.

Foil the piece.• Run copper foil around

the outside of the piece, overlapping it slightly at the end.

• Be sure that even amounts of foil wrap around both the front and back of the glass.

• Burnish the foil on with a craft stick on the edge, front, and back.

Continue with remaining pieces.

• Cut, grind, and foil your pieces one at a time, being sure each one fits well against the last one.

• Gaps are harder

to solder and

sometimes fall

apart.

Solder your sun catcher.

• When all your pieces are foiled, check with me before soldering.

• Apply flux to the copper.• Lay pieces out on layout

pattern and tack together around edges to keep pieces from moving.

• Add raised solder joints.• Repeat on back side.

Raise solder.

• By raising solder to a smooth dome, soldered piece will be less likely to bend.

Add details.

• Use tinned wire (wire covered with flux then solder) to add details such as antennae or legs.

• Use cut pieces of copper foil to add details such as eyes.

Add a finding to your sun catcher.

• Hanging ring• Chain• Plant stake• Night light

• Be sure that you tin the hanging ring!

Clean your sun catcher.

• Scrub off flux with soap and water

• Dry

Gallery of Sun Catcher Ideas