Do you have bags of buttons lying around that you don’t know what to do with? When the Do It Over Designers challenged us to come up with a metal upcycle, I knew I could kill two birds with one stone by making this suncatcher DIY. Actually, as you’ll find out later in the reveal, the whole purpose of this project is NOT to kill any birds :).
Grab some chicken wire, a metal peace sign and some rainbow cord to make something that will look jewel-like when it catches the light!
Do It Over Designers
The Do It Over Designers blog Hop is hosted by Ann at The Apple Street Cottage.
We’re a group of bloggers who take something old and/or unused and ‘do it over’ into something new. These items can be found in closets, barns, garages, yard sales, thrift stores, you name it! Check out the other blogger’s projects; there’s a list of links near the bottom of this post below the pinnable image. And be sure to drop back in throughout the week to visit them all!
Suncatcher DIY
[If you’re looking for some of the things we used, we’ve got you covered (disclosure): The blue links in this post may be affiliate links. We earn a commission from qualifying purchases which we proudly donate to Alzheimer’s research. But don’t worry, you don’t pay a cent more! Thanks for helping to support our fundraiser!]
For this project, you will need:
- Chicken wire
- 14″ peace sign wire form (dollar store)
- Staple remover (to get buttons off cards)
- Sharpie marker
- Wire cutters
- Xuron double flush cutters (for cutting your own jump rings
- Variety of 3/4″ colourful buttons
- 2 pair needle nose pliers
- Jump rings (6 mm and 14 mm) – or wire to cut your own
- 2 mm ombre rattail cord
Watch the Suncatcher DIY Video
Assemble Suncatcher DIY
The buttons aren’t the only thing we’re upcycling. I’ve had a roll of chicken wire forever. I used it to make a mannequin for the TV show Trash to Treasure (you can read more about our experience on the show in this Decoupage on Wood post). But then it came in handy afterwards for Halloween (see Oh My Goth – Part 2). Actually, the piece I’m upcycling for this project was temporarily used to replace the glass in this diy china cabinet makeover (click the link to see how it looks now sans the chicken wire!).
So it’s great to put the chicken wire to good use for this suncatcher diy!
Along with the chicken wire, we’re using this dollar store wire form. I love the idea of a peace sign; don’t we all wish for peace these days?
I also have bags of buttons from both my mom and M.I.L. And of course there are tons more courtesy of Hubs sewing machine restoration hobby. People just can’t wait to unload them, and I’m only too happy to repurpose them!
Sort Buttons
My first step is to weed through the buttons and find ones that are colourful and 3/4″ in circumference. You’d think that would be easy, but it was actually a tall order to find ones large enough for this project out of all the vintage buttons. Ideally, you want to use only translucent ones so the sun can shine through them.
To make sure you have enough buttons, place the wire form over the chicken wire. Then do a trial run and place them into the sections of chicken wire. That way, you can also play with the colour placement.
I sorted the buttons row by row onto a cookie sheet with a silicone mat so they wouldn’t slide off.
Some of the buttons were still on the original cards and had metal on them after pulling away the paper. So use a staple puller and needle nose pliers to remove the ones with metal.
Lay the wire peace sign over the chicken wire and mark at least an inch away from the edge all around with a Sharpie. This particular chicken wire has a seam running down the middle so I centred that with the middle of the peace sign.
Cut Wire
Then cut with wire snips.
Use twist ties to attach the chicken wire to the peace sign through the middle. That will keep it from shifting as you wrap the edges in the next step.
Fasten Chicken Wire to Sign
The most challenging part is attaching the chicken wire to the peace sign. You’ll need to unwind any spots that are doubled-up. Do all the unwinding first before fastening to the peace sign so you can lift the chicken wire as needed.
Once unwound, cut the hex pieces in the middle. Then you can straighten them and wrap the single strands around the peace sign.
Other’s will unravel into single strands, like you see below, and you can trim them shorter.
Then, using the needle nose pliers, wrap them around the edges where they meet the peace sign. You can use the wire snips to further trim them or wind until you reach at the end.
Jump Rings for Suncatcher DIY
Since the buttons require a larger jump ring, I thought I’d try to make my own! I found a socket wrench with a handle that is the perfect circumference (14 mm). But, if you don’t want to take time to cut them yourself, you can try these 14 mm jump rings on Amazon.
After winding the wire around the socket wrench, you’ll get this ‘spring’ coil.
The secret sauce to cutting them so both sides are flush and will join up when closed, is this double flush cutter! You can use a flush cutter instead, but you’ll have to flip the cutter over for each ring.
It’s easiest to cut them one ring at a time and let them drop away (as you see on the video at the start). Before you know it, you’ve got jump rings for your buttons.
Embellish the Suncatcher DIY
I really wanted to emphasize the lines of the peace sign so they wouldn’t get lost amongst the buttons, so I crochet around all the edges and lines.
It’s a simple single crochet stitch. If you don’t know how to crochet, but have always wanted to learn, check out our Crochet for a Cure eBook – Beginner Crochet: Learn the Basic Stitches (it all gets donated to our Alzheimer’s fund drive!).
I love how the rainbow colours look!
Attach Jump Rings
Use two pair of needle nose pliers to open and close the jump rings onto the chicken wire, as shown on the video.
Here the small jump rings are attached to each section of the chicken wire.
Attach the Buttons
This particular wire is from the dollar store, so it can be attached without tools (but it’s also not very strong, so use a better wire if making your own).
Now, to attach the buttons, the larger 14 mm ring goes through the button first – but don’t close it yet.
Then it’s easy to attach the larger jump rings with the buttons already attached to the smaller jump ring on the chicken wire and close it up.
Suncatcher DIY Reveal
What do you think of our rainbow peace sign sun catcher? I love the bright bold colours!
Although the sun catcher looks a little busy in our window because of the suburban surroundings, when the sun streams through, it’s so pretty! But that busy-ness is actually a bonus when you’re on the other side of the glass! That’s because the whole purpose of this suncatcher DIY is to prevent birds from flying into our new – clear – windows. An important function when your blog name is Birdz of a Feather is to make sure no harm comes to birds and I think we’ve accomplished that!
Here’s how the sun catcher looks in natural light outside. Some of these buttons belong to our moms. So it’s a wonderful way to get those buttons out of jars and bags and make something beautiful to remember them by.
By the way, I was originally going to make this soda can craft for the metal challenge, but had to swap when I couldn’t find one of the tools we needed in time.
Pin Suncatcher DIY
Pinning is always welcome and appreciated.
Do It Over Designers
Well, we’ve got this one all buttoned up! Now, our talented blogger friends have some amazing and inspiring DIYs for you! Don’t forget to visit these posts for more upcycled do-it-over transformations!
- Birdz of a Feather (that’s us!)
- Exquisitely Unremarkable
- Little Vintage Cottage
- Modern on Monticello
- Purple Hues & Me
- Southern Sunflowers
- Sum of Their Stories
- Color Me Thrifty
- The Apple Street Cottage
Suncatcher FAQs
What do I need to make a chicken wire suncatcher?
You’ll need colourful buttons; ideally transparent so the sun shines through and a 14″ wire peace sign, along with the chicken wire. Also, two sizes of jump rings, needle nose pliers to attach them and wire snips to cut the chicken wire. If desired, use a crochet hook to crochet rainbow coloured cord around the wire to emphasize the peace sign design.
What size jump rings for chicken wire suncatcher?
The two sizes of jump rings you’ll need for the chicken wire suncatcher are 6 mm to go onto the chicken wire and 14 mm for the buttons.
How to make homemade suncatchers?
- Collect 3/4″ buttons
- Cut chicken wire at least an inch larger than the size of the peace sign.
- Line chicken wire up to the middle of the peace sign and temporarily wrap using twist ties
- Unwrap and double strands of wire and wrap around edges.
- Attach 6 mm jump rings to chicken wire.
- Attach 14 mm jump rings to buttons and then close them around the 6 mm jump rings
- Hang in a window and enjoy!
What can I use to hang a suncatcher?
If you want something permandent, secure a cup hook into the wood frame of the wiindow (ir in the ceiling if hanging in a bay). Use fishing line to loop around the suncatcher, so it can’t be seen, and hang it from the cup hook, Although not as secure, another option to hang a suncatcher is a suction cup. Wet it, then press it onto the window. Squeeze all the water out from the centre. Let it dry and then hang the suncatcher.
What is the purpose of a suncatcher?
A suncatcher captures the sunlight and displaces it to brighten up a room. It’s not only beautiful to look at, but It can also prevent birds and other flying creatures from inadvertently flying into a clear plate of glass. So hanging it in a window is a matter of form and function; it does double duty.
It’s just lovely, Sara. Perfect for all those buttons I have stashed around the house and a hopeful sign of the times for sure!
Thanks Kim; that’s exactly how I feel when I look at it; hopeful!
Wow! That chicken wire really got around! Your suncatcher looks great, Sara and I’m sure the birds appreciate it.
It’s actually such a relief to have it done and on display; I’ve been so fearful we’d find some poor bird knocked out by the glass.
You never cease to amaze me with your fabulous creations, Sara! Your adorable suncatcher is very creative and quite unique! And it looks beautiful hanging in your window! And what a cool way to pay tribute to your mom and mother-in-law using their buttons!
Thanks Gail! It is a great way to remember them by!
Now this makes me happy. The way the sunlight shines through all the buttons puts a whole new spin on things. It turned out lovely, Sara and yes, you’re right we do need more peace in this world.
Thanks so much Michelle. It sure makes me happy too!
I love your makes, Sara. This is beautiful, functional, clever, and others have said, hopeful.
Thanks so much Alys!
This is so cute Sara! At first glance, I thought you used a hula hoop, but this is so much better. We do need more peace in this world, I agree. I bet when the light plays off the buttons, it is stunning.
Thanks Cara! Yes, the light does look stunning streaming through! I actually do have a hula hoop, but it would’ve looked too big in the bay window :).
I love your colorful suncatcher and using the buttons makes it look so unique. Great idea!
I’ve seen them done with beads, which is also pretty, but it’s so good to use what you already have on hand!
Your button suncatcher makes me smile. It’s so pretty! Love all the colors!
So glad to hear that: thanks Tuula!
Wow, that is SO PRETTY! What a great use for all those buttons!
Thanks Tania!
This is so cute and clever! I love it. Pinning.
Thanks so much Michelle; appreciate you pinning it!
Such a beautiful suncatcher! I have been trying to work on a windchime/suncatcher using up my mom’s bead stash but didn’t think about using chicken wire. I may have to rethink my project now because you made this one look great and so simple to make.
This would look fantastic with your mom’s beads Donna!I can’t wait to see what you do!
What a great idea. Love it!
Thanks so much Debra; so glad to hear that :).
This is really lovely! What a great way to use those beads and to see them every day. Visiting from the Tuesday Turn About Link Party.
Thanks so much for dropping by and commenting Lisa!
That is beautiful! I love the colors.
Thanks so much Joanne!
What a great and amazing job, love it and yes you must have had tons of buttons. Well done
Found your post on Creative Muster Link-Up. My entries are Wholewheat Vanilla Greek Yogurt Banana Blueberry Muffins and Delicious Health Bran Rusks
Hope you will join/share M-Sat at https://esmesalon.com/tag/seniorsalonpitstop/
Thanks Esme!
Sara,
What a great idea and a wonderful tutorial. Congratulations, You are being featured on WWBH. I hope you stop by. https://www.eclecticredbarn.com/2024/08/flowers-and-diys-on-wwbh.html.
Hugs,
Bev
Thanks so much Bev! Tried to leave a comment on your blog but not sure if it went through.