Melted Beads Sun Catcher Craft

5.23.2013


Summer is the perfect time to get crafty!  Gather the kiddos for this collaborative outdoor decoration.

Keep it simple or create designs-- either way this Pony Bead Sun Catcher Craft will look amazing hanging in your yard when it is all done.

I initially pinned this craft from I'm Feelin' Crafty.

It is a super simple and FUN craft-- perfect for summer!!

It is kinda time consuming though... so make sure you carve adequate time in your day so that you can create different designs.

melted bead sun catcher craft
What you need:

Fun Summer Craft



We melted them in the oven.  But, FYI-- you are melting plastic, which isn't the most delightful or good-for-you smell, so open the windows wide and let the kiddos play outside while they are melting and for a bit afterwards!

Preheat the oven to 400*

Begin by arranging the pony beads in a muffin tin.

This part calls for your creative juices!

Make a pattern or design of some sort-- or just throw a handful in to cover the bottom of the muffin tin!

Melted Bead Sun Catcher Craft

When your pony bead creations are complete, put the muffin tin in the oven for about 30 minutes.

In the end ours had a bit of texture to them-- they were not baked completely flat.
If you'd like them flatter, just leave them in the oven for a while longer.

 And, no need to spray your muffin tin with anything-- they pop right out!

Melted Bead Sun Catcher Craft

 A week went by before we turned them into a sun-catcher.  They make great hockey pucks!  (Don't ask how I know that!)

Our pony bead discs had little holes in them, however you may opt to leave a small space in the bottom of the muffin tin to create a hole OR use a drill to add a small hole once the pony beads have been baked.

I used some beading string and hung them from a piece of scrap wood that my son had painted red.

However you could also attach it to a stick from a tree.

Melted Bead Sun Catcher Craft

 It is so pretty!

And it doubles as a wind-chime too, as the disks move around on a windy day they make a pretty clinking sound.

Will you add this to your Summer Craft To-Do list?!  

Summer is the perfect time to Tie-Dye!  or Make these fun beaded bubble wands with your littles!