Stained Glass with Plastic Folders

When I lived in the east village of NYC, my neighbor and I had windows about 3 feet apart.  We could clearly see everything in each other's apartments!  Since I wanted as much light as possible, I opted for a version of this faux stained glass which let in the light but allowed me to run around free and easy!  For this project I used my Xyron Creative Station which saved me quite a bit of time.  I also used plastic office folders which came in a stack of 40 for about $13 bucks.  So much less than a real stained glass window, right?!  I love that something as simple as an office folder can have another creative use.  Give things another life, sweet friends, and don't forget to

Make Your Mark!

In my kitchen window while they work on the roof next door!

A stack of folders for not much at all!  Here's the link:  https://amzn.to/2Ak5WzR

Links to everything I used for this project:

Xyron Creative Station: https://bit.ly/2yuW31n Colorful Plastic Folders: https://amzn.to/2Ak5WzR Permanent Adhesive Cartridge: https://amzn.to/2KaMzuC Repositionable Adhesive Cartridge: https://amzn.to/35PCBbZ Moroccan Pattern: https://bit.ly/2AdsH8o MY AMAZON STORE: https://www.amazon.com/shop/markmontano

I used 99c store certificate frames for this project,
but you could stick these right to the window!

Watch how to make this here!
OR
Watch how to make this on my YouTube channel here:  https://youtu.be/4QNHSxtLiSQ

Faux and fabulous!

Faux Stained Glass DIY

I love stained glass but the real thing is just too expensive and quite frankly, I'm just not talented enough to learn how to make it.  Plus, I just don't have the patience.  It has been my lifelong goal, since the first time I ironed colorful tissue paper in between wax paper, to make versions of stained glass that didn't require mad skills!  Here is my latest piece using Unicorn SPiT and Elmer's Glue.  When it's coated with resin it looks just like the real thing.  There are always alternatives, my creative friends!  Now get out there and Make Your Mark!

 I enlarged an adult coloring book for the pattern!

My Unicorn SPiT mixed with Elmer's School Glue

Watch how to make it here!

Step 1:  Jump in!

Step 2: Keep adding colors! 

Step 3: Let it dry a bit between applications 

Step 4: Make sure that colors aren't directly next to each other 

Once you're done let it dry completely before you add the Glaze Coat resin

Can't wait to make more!

Unicorn Spit Stained Glass

In my never ending quest to create realistic stained glass pieces, I think I hit the jackpot with Unicorn Spit!  It took some experimenting, but I finally figured out a way to get that beautiful marbled glass look that you see in stunning stained glass art.  Once I realized I could enlarge my ColorIt coloring book pages for the perfect stained glass patterns, I was off and running.  Truth be told, I'm going a little nuts with my stained glass projects.  It's like adult coloring books on caffeine and sugar and, well, crack.  Remember to experiment until you get it right, use your coloring books for everything and always Make Your Mark! 

I love the raised faux leading and the shine!

I'm figuring out where to hang these in my garden

My first attempt with a bit too much Glaze Coat...Still love it!

A thin layer of Glaze Coat and the colors POP!

Watch the video here!

STUFF I USED

ColorIt coloring book pages

Unicorn Spit

E-6000 Glaze Coat

White school glue

Allure Dimensional Design Adhesive Paint

Frames with glass

Cotton swabs

HERE'S HOW

1. Enlarge your coloring book pages to the size you want

*I only used a portion of pages that I liked, but you could enlarge the entire page to the size you need

2. Color the original page to figure out how you want the stained glass to look

3.  Remove the glass from the frame and place it on the enlarged coloring book page

4. & 5. Trace the pattern with the Allure in Gloss Black and let dry

6.  Mix equal parts of white glue and Unicorn Spit to make your stained glass colors

7. - 12.  Fill in the ares with your glue mixture and add marbling by dragging a dab of full strength Unicorn Spit through the wet mixture

13.  Follow the instructions for the Glaze Coat (2 part epoxy resin) and pour a thin layer on your level, painted stained glass piece and evenly distribute it with a sponge brush

14. Pop the bubbles with a long arm lighter or a small torch

15.  Cover and let cure overnight

Enjoy!

Stained Glass Vintage Window

I've been obsessed with stained glass ever since I was a kid.....I'd sit in church, bored out of my mind, and stare at the colorful windows for the entire hour wondering how they were put together, how they cut the glass, whether or not Jesus was as cold as I was in that dank church and how long before I could go home?!  As much as I would like to learn traditional stained glass techniques, I've always been more interested in faux stained glass projects like using Crystal Gloss Enamels or tissue paper decoupaged over glass.  When I ran across versions of the technique I'm sharing today, well, I had to try it.  The one thing I did change about it was that I added some resin to secure and coat the sharp edges of the glass pieces.  It worked perfectly.  Remember to recycle glass, grab old windows from construction sites and thrift stores and always Make Your Mark!  

Resting on my patio until I figure out where to permanently place it

  A little up-close shot

Resting on my banister

 Watch how I made it here

STUFF I USED

Old framed glass window

E-6000 Glue

Colorful glass floral marbles

Gloves

E-6000 Glaze Coat (1 quart for a smaller window)

Small torch

Broken glass in different colors

 HERE'S HOW

1. 2. & 3.  Break colorful glass pieces in a paper bag or newspaper using a hammer

4. 5. & 6.  Arrange the broken pieces and glass marbles on your clean window in a pattern you like

7. 8. & 9.  Carefully glue each piece in place with E-6000 glue so that they don't shift

10. & 11.  Following the directions, mix the Glaze Coat and fill the window making sure to coat any sharp edges of the glass

12.  Using a small torch, pop the bubbles so that the resin is completely clear

*You can also use a long arm lighter

Lovely!

Faux Stained Glass Mandalas

You might know that I'm a huge fan of stained glass and you might also know that sadly, it's the one craft I just can't seem to grasp.  Oh well!  When I really need a stained glass fix I grab my box of Americana Crystal Gloss Enamels and go to town.  So much easier than the real process and for me, just as gratifying. That's right friends, these are not stained glass at all, but permanently painted glass.  The part I like most about this project is that you don't have to be an artist.  Just grab your favorite adult coloring book pattern and use that as your guide.  How fun is that?!  Remember...make art, make messes and always Make Your Mark!

I can't decide where to put them!

They look wonderful sitting in my kitchen window!

Watch how to make them here!

Stuff I Used

Americana Crystal Gloss Enamels

Americana 3D Opaque Gloss Enamel

Adult Coloring Book pages

Frames

 Here's How

1.  Place your adult coloring book page under the glass of a frame

*Got my frames at the 99c store

2.  Trace the design with the 3D Opaque Gloss Enamels and let dry

3. & 4. Pick your color scheme and start filling in the designs

5. & 6. Carefully frame your pieces and place them where the sun can shine through

My favorite!