Every day I look at our Handprint Suncatchers hanging in the window and think they would make a gorgeous suncatcher garland! I love turning our home into a winter wonderland this time of year. A snowflake suncatcher garland seemed like the perfect addition to our home!
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WHAT YOU NEED TO MAKE A SNOWFLAKE SUNCATCHER GARLAND
2 cups flour
1 cup salt
1 cup water
transparent pony beads (we used an assortment of blues and white)
parchment paper
cookie tray
Snowflake Cookie Cutters – large and small
string or ribbon
glitter
glue
white paint
AREAS OF DEVELOPMENT ENHANCED BY MAKING SNOWFLAKE SUNCATCHER GARLAND
fine motor development
color exploration
artistic expression
scientific exploration
TIME TO MAKE A SNOWFLAKE SUNCATCHER GARLAND!
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Begin by mixing together the flour, salt and water to make the salt dough. Roll out dough and use the snowflake cookie cutter to make shapes. Use a smaller snowflake cutter to make the the snowflake in the center.
Using a spatula carefully transfer the snowflakes to a cookie tray covered in parchment paper. Using a toothpick or skewer create two small holes towards the top the snowflake. (If you plan hot glue a wire or twine to the backs of the snowflakes then skip this step.)
Set up a table with transparent pony beads and the tray of salt dough snowflakes. Fill the middle of the snowflakes with the transparent pony beads. Try to make sure that there are no spaces left between the pony beads.
Bake at 375 degrees F for approximately 1.5- 2 hours or until the beads are melted together. Remember oven temperatures can vary it may take a longer or shorter amount of time. The salt dough will turn a dark brown color. Because you are melting beads there will be a slight burning plastic smell. Let cool completely.
Once cool you can paint the salt dough or brush on glue and generously sprinkle with glitter. Shake off the excess glitter. Let dry. I chose to paint half the snowflakes white and cover the other half with silver glitter.
String the snowflakes on a piece of twine or wire and hang in the window or from the fireplace mantel. My twine was a little thick so I used a hot glue gun to glue the twine to the back of the snowflakes. This is another option. I just love how beautiful this Snowflake Suncatcher Garland looks hanging in the window!
Diane says
Hi! Looking forward to making these as ornaments for my Xmas tree! But wanted to check if the salt dough will last for many years or will it start disintegrating? I hope not cause it’d be such a shame
Meredith @ Homegrown Friends says
Apologies- I’m just seeing this comment. I have some salt dough ornaments that are 30 years old. Just wrap them up in paper each year and store in a dry location.
Rachel says
Theae are beautiful! How did you string them like that? I realize you could poke a hole prior to baking but it looks like you did something different here.
Meredith @ Homegrown Friends says
So sorry for the delayed response. I hot glued twine to the backs.
Judy Smith says
could not open the snowflake ballerina. Said the page was no longer availabale
Meredith @ Homegrown Friends says
Judy- was this on someone else’s page? I don’t have a snowflake ballerina activity.