If you’ve been keeping tabs on us, then you probably know this last year I became obsessed with all things stained glass. Colorful and fun, it’s truly one of my favorites. I was finally able to dive back in for a quick little creation just in time for the holidays, and I couldn’t be more thrilled. So today I’m sharing these handmade stained glass star ornaments!
Oh, by the way, isn’t this little shot fun? I’m DYING so show you this entire bathroom. We’re oh so close. Who knew the hinges for our special doors {because I’m extra like that} might take a hot minute? Yay state of the market! So stay tuned. But I couldn’t help but share a little extra sneak peek. #obsessedwiththiswallpaper
But first, a history
{You’ll want to refer back to some of these if you’re just getting your toes wet in the world of stained glass. I highly recommend familiarizing yourself with the entire process so that you know what I’m talking about below. This post will merely serve as outline form, while the in-depth process can be found below. I’ve covered them thoroughly in the past, so I’ll be covering them briefly in this actual post. Links needed are below} :
• Check out all the supplies I listed + a little take on getting started, here.
• We covered the basics of stained glass, here.
It’s pretty in depth with good videos referenced as well, so be sure to check it out.
But back to these stars.
From gifts for others, to just a great way to decompress during the slower days sure to come ahead, I thought I’d share this free pattern and how to with you!
They make fun additions anywhere! If I do say so myself.
What you’ll need:
• Check out all the supplies + a little take on getting started, here.
Again, linking to this because this is a true stained glass project. It definitely helps to have the intended supplies and I’m pretty thorough with everything here.
• When I list the steps, be sure to check out the basics of stained glass, here.
This is complete with videos and more as reference to help get you started.
Before we start, please review all safety points here. I think this article covers it perfectly on all things to consider when it comes to your safety and stained glass.
• Star template – get it here! {The finished product measures 8 x 8 for a large statement on any tree!}
Pssst…. If you’re not looking for an in-depth stained glass project, here’s another easier solution here that is JUST as fun to make. Promise.
• Select the glass that you’ll want from this project. I have a plethora left over from that massive door project, so you may recognize a lot of the colors.
• Print and laminate your pattern – I printed mine out on the computer at home, and laminated over to protect it. Then I tacked it down to a piece of drywall so that I can work from there.
• Tracing – There are three ways to trace your pattern: You can see more of that process in detail, here.
1. Transparency film + sharpie + glue stick – Lay your transparency over your shape, trace + cut. Then lay it over your glass, and repeat to achieve the same shape.
2. You can also just lay your glass on top of the pattern, trace, and cut.
3. For this project, I simply loaded the same pattern into my Cricut {preserving the original 8 x 8 size} and cut it on vinyl. It’s a smaller size project, so this actually worked perfectly.
• Simply upload the pattern to your Cricut program, and cut it out on vinyl. Make sure it’s the same as the printed version, if you adjust the size in any way.
• Then it cuts the template for you. Remove the vinyl and stick it on the glass. Use this as your guide to cut.
• While I think that the vinyl process is easier, it’s almost like one extra step in the beginning, to omit the middle step. So either way, it’s honestly a wash and depends on which is easiest for you. If you’re familiar with Cricut then I recommend starting here with a simple pattern. It will give you a little more confidence with using it all.
Over time, I have enjoyed the Cricut method with smaller projects, and the glass/trace method with larger ones.
• Cutting + Grinding – Again, I definitely outlined it in more detail, here.
Whichever way you choose, make sure you get that shape as tight as possible. Simply cut and grind it down, fitting each shape into place as you go. As always, when grinding, use protective eyewear, and I’d recommend a mask, too.
See this shape here? It could honestly be grinded down more, to the very edge of the vinyl since we know this shape is a precise cut. Make sure you get it to that edge.
Always remember to label your pieces as you go, too. It helps to keep everything matched up and organized as you cut.
• Foiling + Burnishing
Once all your pieces are fitting oh so perfectly, {It’s okay if they’re not perfect, especially if this is your first time} it’s time to foil and burnish.
Again, you can find all of that outlined as thoroughly as possible, here.
But when you’re finished, your star should look a little something like this.
See this star? Not perfect at all. But it has the seams as tight as possible, and it’s ready to go with the next step!
• Soldering
Here’s a quick shot from the video I was creating to show you how it should look as you go.
Again, I’ve outlined it all here.
{Please follow all safety precautions from open windows to ventilation systems here.}
With a free form like this, it may help to dab a little of the solder on as you go, {after you apply that ruby fluid of course} to keep the points secured before going for the full monty on the entire look. Your end goal, {again covered more thoroughly here} is for your solder to have a slight curve to it on the finished piece. So feel free to work it as you go.
The center will be a little tricky, where all of the points come to a center area. Again, mine is not perfect. But you can play with it as you go to make it look better, once it’s established.
When you’re finito, your first side should look a little like this.
This is always the fun part, where you can stand your design up, and see all your progress. In retrospect, I honestly love the silvery look here of the solder, so you can leave it and polish it up, or move on to the next step.
For the side coats of solder, be sure to carefully brush on your ruby fluid, and gently touch the sides to spread the solder as you go. It will probably have beaded up on the sides, so you can spread it from there after the ruby fluid is brushed on. Careful to avoid burns by rotating it as you go.
Always check the temperature of your glass often. On smaller sizes like this, it only takes a moment for it to overheat.
This is the perfect moment to go ahead and polish + wax that first side of your glass just so that it gives the glass a moment to cool down, and you can get all that flux + excess solder off.
• Clean it up {see more detail here}
Breaking it down, the order just goes like this for each side:
1. Flux + Solder {You’ve already done this}
2. Kwik Clean {rub it on and clean the glass / solder
3. Clarity – It’s a stained glass finishing compound {it really makes everything shine – technically it is wax – oh so satisfying}
Flip it over, and you’re ready to do the second side.
Quick tip: these trivets are perfect for placing something on top to be soldered. The extra that falls can be tapped again with your soldering iron, to spread on the sides here. It has less waste that way.
Here’s another angle where you can see me playing with the center part of the star. It helped to mess around with the solder a little until it looked just right in the center.
Once it’s all cleaned up, you’re ready to add your patina.
• Patina
• Then you’ll break out your Super Brite {finishes in black, copper + just leaving it silver} – I do find that the patina covers a multitude of sins.
• I use a combo of Q-tips + paper towels to rub it on, making sure to include all the sides. Remember that magic coloring book you had as a kid that had the clear marker, and when you drew on top, it made things change colors? This is that, for adults.
Clean + polish again: Kwik Clean + Clarity again. Just rub until it shines.
• Flip {carefully} + repeat the exact steps above from that first side. These final steps {soldering + patina + cleaning} can take a full day with a large window on both sides. I’m sure I’ll speed up over time, but just know it takes some time to finish.
• Just a note on seepage: If you have a few little gaps, you may have areas where seepage of the Solder came through. I have yet to have a piece where I haven’t seen just a little on the other side, peeking through those cracks. I am getting better with each piece, though. Don’t freak. It’s usually easy to manipulate with your soldering iron, to cover it up and then move back into place as you go.
• A note on splatters: Don’t panic if the soldering gets on your glass. It dries and flecks right off. Just make sure you are aware that the second side {because you’re sealing the air into gaps?} tends to splatter a little. Thus the use of gloves for which you will be grateful. I already mentioned this above and clearly I can’t emphasize it enough.
• Hook it
This is something that hasn’t been covered before here, because everything I’ve made so far, has really been a framed piece that went inside of something else.
I used some basic 18 gauge copper wire, and a wire cutter, to loop and shape, and wrap it around.
Then I also covered it in flux, and soldered it as well.
I then placed it at the top of my star, and added more solder {careful not to overheat} so that it’s now secured to the star.
Be sure you either hold it on with your wire cutters or let it sit freely – this wire will heat up fast from the solder and burn your hand if you’re not careful.
I cleaned each one up one more time with cleaner and polish, after adding patina to the tops.
I then added some velvet ribbon to each one for that extra touch.
Of course you can skip that part if you don’t want them to hang. I love the look both ways, to be honest.
And that is how I made these stained glass star ornaments, this Christmas.
As always, let us know if you have any questions or decide to make some of your own. We would LOVE to see!
Have an inspired day!
Sayra Butterfield says
Those are beautiful! Off to Etsy to see if I can buy some! 🙂