Find Your Creative Side: Simple "Stained Glass"

I would like to show you how to make a beautiful stained glass look with a few simple items.

To begin, you will need some acetate sheets. You can buy sheets of acetate from a crafting supply store, or you can use overhead transparencies or laminating film. When you laminate something, there are always edges around your object. You can't re-use the film in the laminator, but you can use it for art.

This example is made with laminating film.

You will also need outline stickers with raised edges. You can get them from the Stampendous company, but you can also find other brands. They seem to have a common theme of "peel" in the title.

To make the stained glass effect, you will need either markers or nail polish!

The first step is to cut a sheet of acetate for your project.

Place your sticker on the acetate.

The first technique is simply to color in the spaces. I have found that this works best with older markers. The newer ink is so wet that it beads up. Older markers give more even coverage.

If you get ink on the sticker, you can wipe it off with a tissue.

When you finish with this technique, you will be able to see through your work when you hold it up to the light.

The second technique is to use nail polish to fill in the spaces. I have found that newer nail polish works better with this one. It dries much more smoothly.

To have more control, apply the nail polish with a toothpick for small spaces.

If you get nail polish on the lines of the sticker, take a clean toothpick and wipe it off before it dries. It is important to clean it quickly.

This is a view from the back.

Here is an example of a larger image.

With larger spaces, you can dab the nail polish on with the brush in the polish bottle.

Then, draw the polish to the edges with a toothpick.

You can paint over the lines in a certain section, and then before the polish dries, wipe it with a clean toothpick. It is important to wipe your toothpick frequently.