by Welcome to our glass painted mobile project. In this project (and video) I do assume you can already do basic glass painting. If not I’d suggest going to the guides section and having a look at one of our articles on outlining and maybe one on flood filling/ painting.
This is a fairly simple project but it does involve using two non-adhesive glass painting films.
Where to get the films.
In the UK it’s easy because you can buy them off us if you wish. Please see our Shop page.
If you don’t live in the UK or you don’t wish to buy from us then you will need to source the film yourself. You will need to find plastic sheeting which can be cut with scissors. The “thick” film we use is 600 microns. You would probably get away with going as low as 400 microns but I don’t suggest going any thicker. The “Ex-Thick” one is 1,000 microns (1mm). I wouldn’t go any thinner as it probably wouldn’t be thick enough to support what we need. On the other hand going any thicker is going to be difficult to cut (unless you are lucky enough to own a hot knife. The is a good possibility you may have some old plast packaging lying around which you could recycle to use it this project!
Glass Painted Mobile Project.
Materials Needed:
1x A4 Sheet of Ex_Thick Film.
2x A4 Sheets of Thick Film.
Outliner.
Glass Paints (Flowing ones are best for this).
Cotton or thin fishing wire.
Materials Needed:
Good pair of scissors.
Craft Knife.
Paper Clip (and maybe bluetac to hold it with).
Candle (for heating up the paper clip).
Paint Brush.
Greaseproof/Parchment paper if you use a piping bag.
Kitchen Towel (to wipe brushes / clean up the mess!)
Instructions for the Glass Painted Mobile Project.
Take the covering off one side of the film (in the case of our film take the white covering off) and then give it a wash in warm but not hot water.
The Hanger.
- Use the sheet of Ex-Thick film.
- Cut out the design template and sick it to the side with the protective film still on with PVA glue (or similar)
- Leave to dry and then cut out the main shape not forgetting the two slots.
- Outline the design with outliner and then leave to dry.
- Paint on a flat surface using the flood fill technique.
- Leave to dry and then take the remaining protective film (and the design template) off.
- Use a heated paper clip (be careful) to melt holes in the to sections of the hanger to out the string or fishing wire through. You should ensure everything is equal-distant from the center. The only exception would be a single center whole which will have to be just off center on one of the sections (honestly this is easier to see in the video!).
The Mobile Pieces.
- Use the thick film.
- Place the design template under the film on the side which still has the protective film on.
- Pipe/Outline the designs (on the side which DOESN’T have the protective film on).
- After the outliner has dried paint the designs.
- Once the paint has dried cut out the designs.
- Remove the protective film from the back.
- Again melt holes for the cotton/fishing wire in the pieces. For most of them this will be a single hole at the top but if you want a particular item sideways or slanted you will need to do tow holes.
Putting the whole thing together.
String up the individual pieces to each hanger. Try and get a nice spread of items at varying heights. Also try and keep it balanced (roughly, no need to be exact).
Glue the two parts of the hanger together, slot to slot at right angles. (I used PVA glue again but there are other which would work just as well).
Add the cotton/fishing wire for the top holder. For stability this should involve a sting coming up from each of the four arms and being tied together.
I added a spare star I had to the top of the mobile by tying it to the top holder.
And that should be the end of your Glass Painted Mobile Project. In our example you will see we have used a space design. We will be adding a Christmas design and a hot air balloon design to our free download section. You could of course also make your own design depending on the interests of the person who the mobile is for.
