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For many of you the school year is winding down. Check out this post for some year end ideas. This newsletter will be switching to every other week for the summer months. We will return to the weekly format in August.
Today’s Library Lady’s tips focus on another maker space ideas. I’d love to hear your thoughts on this topic.
Tips from Library Lady
How to Create a Faux Stained Glass Window for Your Maker Space
This maker space idea is more appropriate for older children.
Stained glass adds a touch of elegance to any space, but acquiring a custom piece can be pricey and time-consuming. Fortunately, crafting your own faux stained glass window is a creative and cost-effective alternative. Here’s how you can bring this artistic endeavor into your maker space:
Materials Needed:
- Glass paint
- Liquid leading
- Glass picture frame or window pane
- Printed pattern (Use coloring books or stained glass pattern books, or create your own)
Step-by-Step Guide:
Step 1: Prepare Your Workspace
- If you’re using a glass picture frame, remove the backing to expose both sides of the glass. For painting directly on a window, carefully mask off the area to be painted using masking tape.
Step 2: Choose and Prepare Your Design
- Select or create a pattern that fits your desired space. Enlarge or reduce the pattern as necessary to fit the glass surface.
Step 3: Apply the Leading
- Place your pattern underneath the glass on a flat surface. Use liquid leading to trace over the pattern outlines. Allow the leading to dry completely according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Step 4: Paint Your Design
- Fill in the traced outlines with colored glass paint. Work carefully to ensure even coverage and let the paint dry thoroughly before proceeding.
Step 5: Finish and Display
- If you’re using a glass picture frame, secure the painted glass with caulk to hold it in place. For window painting, ensure the paint is fully dry before reinstalling the window.
Step 6: Enjoy Your Creation
- Hang your faux stained glass window in your maker space and admire the beautiful, artistic effect you’ve created.
Crafting a faux stained glass window is not only affordable but also offers a great opportunity to enhance your maker space with personalized artistic flair. Start with smaller projects like picture frames before tackling larger windows to perfect your technique. Embrace the creative process and transform your space with this timeless craft!
Tips for Librarians
- Educational Themes: Align your stained glass projects with educational themes or topics relevant to your library’s curriculum. For example, create windows depicting scenes from literature or historical events studied by students.
- Collaborative Projects: Encourage collaboration among students by creating group projects where each student contributes to a larger stained glass design. This fosters teamwork and creativity.
- Use of Resources: Utilize resources such as coloring books or online pattern generators to find suitable designs for different age groups. This makes it easier to adapt projects for various skill levels.
- Safety Considerations: Ensure that students are using glass paints and liquid leading under proper supervision. Provide guidelines for handling materials safely, especially when working with younger students.
- Integration with Library Activities: Incorporate stained glass projects into library activities, such as themed craft days or as part of a creative arts program. This enhances the library’s role as a hub for artistic expression and hands-on learning.
- Display and Promotion: Showcase completed stained glass pieces in prominent areas of the library to celebrate students’ creativity. Consider hosting an exhibition or inviting parents and community members to view the artwork.
- Skill Development: Emphasize the skill-building aspect of stained glass projects, including hand-eye coordination, attention to detail, and artistic expression. Provide opportunities for students to reflect on their creative process and improvements over time.
By integrating these tips, you can enrich your maker spaces with engaging stained glass projects that inspire creativity, collaboration, and artistic exploration among students.
Check out my book list of books about creating stained glass windows.
Want more Maker Space ideas? Check out these posts.
| Need to do some fundraising for your library? Here are some posts on my blog which describe my fundraising camps. |
Recent Adult Book Reviews
Adult Review – Bird Song – anthology
Recent YA Book Reviews
YA Review – Sky of Seven Colors – young adult fantasy
Recent MS Book Reviews
MS Review – Reunion Crossing – middle school dystopian
Recent Kid Book Reviews
Kid Review – Mustachio Pistachio vs Bully Vanilli – picture book
Kid Review – Rocky Road vs The Sundae Storm – picture book
Kid Review – The Alphabet of Me – picture book
Author Interview
Author Interview – Cheryl DaVeiga – picture book
Library Lady Blog Posts
Library Lady Products for Year End and Summer
Items in my Shop
Cute animals with books – stickers, shirts and more in my Redbubble Shop
Need some spring bookmarks. Find printable ones here – buy once print as many as you need.
What I’m Checking Out
The Ongoing Search for Amelia Earhart
5 Things From “The Jetsons” That Actually Exist Today
Fun Last-Day-of-School Activities to Wrap Up the Year
Five questions for Rebecca Stead and Gracey Zhang
Products You May Find Useful
Authors and librarians, would you like to have a post on this blog?
I’d like to add a couple of features to my blog in the coming months and I’d like your help. I am looking for school librarians interested in being interviewed on the blog. I am also looking for librarians and children’s or young adult authors to do guest posts on the blog. Click on the links below to fill out a survey.
Is there a way I can help you? Drop a note in the comments or shoot me an email, I’d love to help.
See you next week.
Jane (Library Lady)
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