Faux Stained Glass

The following is a post from contributing writer Lana (like banana).

This is one of those crafts that I couldn’t wait to share! I love stained glass and the joy that it brings to windows.  My 8-year-old daughter actually helped me make this cardinal which made it even more special.  Plus, it was super inexpensive.   I didn’t have to buy anything to make it and it was so much fun!

Faux Stained Glass

Originally inspired by this Peacock.

Supplies Needed

• 8 x 10 inch Frame with Glass
• Permanent marker
• Acrylic Paints (Colors of your choice plus black.)
• 2 bottles of White Glue that dries clear (One for black outline and one for other colors.)
• Q-tips
• Paint brushes
• Toothpicks
• Paper Towels
• Paper Plates
• Coloring Sheet or Stain Glass Template (I found tons of these for free by just Googling.)

Instructions

1.  Take the glass out of the frame.
2. Lay the template under the glass.
3. Trace the outline with a permanent marker.
4. Add a few drops of black paint to a bottle of glue.  It only takes a few drops.  Shake the bottle until the glue is mixed well.
5. Gently outline the traced permanent marker with the glue paint mixture.  Use a toothpick to correct any mess-ups.
   
6. Wait overnight or a few hours until the paint is completely dry and hardened.
   
7. Prepare your palette of paints for your project.  Pour a little mound of glue and add one drop of paint. Mix with a Q-tip or toothpick.
   
8. Apply your paints with a Q-tip.  (You can use a paintbrush, but I found a Q-tip worked better and had less streaks.)
   
9. Correct any errors with a toothpick.
   
10. Enjoy your beautiful project.  Let me know if you do this – I’d love to see it!

Other tips:

• I didn’t have any black paint.  So I used blue, green, purple and red.  After it dried it was dark black.
• I also didn’t have any orange so I mixed red and yellow.
• Look for cheap frames at the Goodwill store or at garage sales.
• A little paint goes a long way.  Use sparingly.
• If you mess up, all the paint will come off with a little elbow grease.

More posts from Lana