https://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/glass-rainbow-window-hanger • Posted by Maladignia
I'll post a more cheerful picture when I get around to making it. Warning: lots of steps and pictures. The width of the lead band depends on what you're able to get your hands on (hobby shop) and the thickness of the glass you use. Time shown does not take into account drying time of paint.
I'll post a more cheerful picture when I get around to making it. Warning: lots of steps and pictures. The width of the lead band depends on what you're able to get your hands on (hobby shop) and the thickness of the glass you use. Time shown does not take into account drying time of paint.
Gather your glass cutting materials: Glass Glass cutter Ruler Cutting mat
Hold the glass cutter straight and put good pressure on it while cutting. Put the side without the little wheel against the ruler but make sure the cutter doesn't slide onto the ruler. Try to cut in one stroke from one end of the glass to the other end.
Put the glass on a table with the cut line on the edge of the table. Make sure you have a soft surface below (a chair or a cushion) to catch the falling glass. Gently tab the overhanging part of glass with the but of the glass cutter. Do this along the whole line and when you're near the end the overhanging piece should fall off. (It might take some extra tapping when the cut is not quite deep enough) Cut as many pieces in whatever shape you want. (This was my first glass project so I stuck to straight cutting lines)
Vacuum clean every place where you worked with the glass. Cutting glass leaves tiny splinters that are really nasty.
Gather the lead tools: Decorative 'sticker' lead band Scissors Knife Latex gloves When working with lead always wear the latex gloves AND afterward wash your hands. It's toxic stuff.
Separate the two strips of lead with the knife. (If you have only a single strip you don't need to do this, my lead came in a double strip)
Remove the paper and stick the lead onto the first side of your glass piece. Leave a piece of about 2 cm sticking out. Make sure it sticks well. As soon as you know how much lead you'll need, cut if off from the roll. That works easier.
Wrap around all corners of the glass piece, making sure the lead connects everywhere, until you're back at where you started. Stick the two ends together.
Cut off any excess lead and bend the end into a little eye. Repeat steps 6 to 9 for every glass piece you want to use.
Gather your painting materials: Glass paints Brush Turpentine to clean the brush Paper towel Saucer or plate to mix colors (not shown)
Give each piece of glass the color you want and allow to dry. You might want to paint both sides (I did) if the color isn't bright enough. You could of course also paint designs on every piece.
Gather the hanging stuff: Pieces of string (my string came from a bead-curtain that I disassembled) Skewers (or just a metal/wooden rod that you might happen to have ifso, skip steps 13 and 14) Glue (not shown)
Lay out the skewers next to each other and cover them with glue. I spread out the glue using a piece of scrap paper.
Roll up the glue covered skewers into a bundle and tie a piece of string around the ends. Let dry.
Arrange your colored glass pieces the way you want them to hang and run a piece of string through each eye. Make sure to take into account gravity (which I didn't); the pieces will hang from one point and might angle a bit.
Make sure the pieces of string are long enough. For this you'll want to measure the distance between hanging point (the screw/nail you're going to hang the whole contraption on to) and the height you want the glass pieces to hang. For me that was about 60 cm. Arrange the glass pieces the way you want them (step 15) and pull the pieces of string straight for the length you need. (I cut out a piece of the picture because it would be too wide otherwise) Lay your bundle of skewers (or rod) on top of the string ends.
Mark where you want the strings to attach.
For each string tie a knot in the ends so you get a loop. Lay the double string behind your skewer-bundle and pull the glass piece and string through the loop. Pull tight and you'll end up with what is shown on the picture. Put a dot of glue on the mark you made and shove the string over it. Let dry. Repeat for each string.
Get a piece of string and attach both ends to the ends of the skewer bundle. You can use any knot and quantity of glue you want, just make sure it is secure.
When all the glue is dry and you're sure the thing won't fall apart, hang it in front of a window and enjoy!