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Make a suncatcher today with these easy instructions. All you need are some beads, a little time and great enthusiasm.

What you'll need:

How to make it:

1. Lay your pan or paper plate on the table. Cut or tear a piece of tape about as wide as your plate or pan. Double the tape over on itself, sticky side out. Stick to pan or plate. Repeat using a couple of pieces of tape to get it as wide as you need. Be sure to put each piece of tape right next to each other. (See Step 1)
2. Use a pair of tweezers to place beads down on masking tape (place them close together) according to the pattern chosen. Note: Be sure to lay beads out so the open end of the bead points to the top of the pan or plate. (See Step 2)
3. Cut a length of Rexlace double the length of a line of beads PLUS 6". For example: If the length of the line of beads is 3" then your length of Rexlace would be 12". (3" beads + 3" to double + 6" = 12"). This will give you plenty of room to tie the beads off at the end.
   Note: After cutting your Rexlace, look at how the plastic tends to curl towards itself. String the beads where the curl naturally goes towards itself. When you tie the knot, tie with the curl and the knot will be more apt to stay knotted. Experiment to see the difference.
4. Starting at the bottom of the first line of beads, run your Rexlace up through the beads (this will be easy IF you placed your beads close together). Hold the end of the Rexlace at the bottom end. Take the end of the Rexlace that is out through the top, and push back through the beads again, leaving a loop at the top big enough for a straw to go through. (See Step 3)
5. Insert the straw through the loop. (See Step 4)
6. Holding on to both strings at the bottom of the line, pull up on the straw and the strings to remove the beads from the masking tape. Set on table. (See Step 5)
7. Tie the string in a tight knot. You will want to make sure the beads are pushed up to the straw so that the pattern hangs correctly. (See Step 6)
8. Repeat the above steps for the rest of the pattern.
9. Flip every other line of beads up and down to make them easier to glue. This will also prevent them from sticking together. (See Step 7)
10. Put a generous size dot of glue directly on the knots. (See Step 8)
11. Let dry completely.
12. Cut off the excess Rexlace.
13. Flip all the beads down. Arrange on the straw.
14. Cut off any excess straw, leaving a 1" margin at each end.
15. Cut a piece of Rexlace long enough to run through the straw and up to tie in a knot. Glue the knot! Let dry.
16. Hang over a lock on the window or on a suction cup.
17. Enjoy your Suncatcher!

Tips:

You can create your own design on paper first. You could even layout the pattern with the actual beads using masking tape to hold them in place.

If you would like to create your own designs, click here for the blank bead template.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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