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Stefanie Lechthaler
Guide
963

DIY suncatchers that’ll make your home sparkle

Stefanie Lechthaler
5/2/2026
Translation: Eva Francis
Pictures: Stefanie Lechthaler

Suncatchers cast little rainbows on your wall. Add beads, rings and gold wire to make your own sparkling mobile.

I don’t believe in the spiritual meaning of suncatchers, but I love how the crystals transform light into little rainbows. That’s why I’ve decided to make a suncatcher mobile to hang in my window.

My crystal collection
My crystal collection

I attach the crystals to transparent nylon thread, which carries the weight without any problems. You could also use tear-proof fishing line, golden cord or a chain. I secure the knot with a crimp bead and use curtain gliders to hang it up.

Scissors, nylon thread and gliders are a must. Everything else is extra bling-bling.
Scissors, nylon thread and gliders are a must. Everything else is extra bling-bling.
I thread the nylon through the crimp bead, the crystal and back through the bead ...
I thread the nylon through the crimp bead, the crystal and back through the bead ...
... and squash the bead flat to secure the thread.
... and squash the bead flat to secure the thread.

The glass crystals look very pretty even on their own, but I want to add a few rings or beads to create a playful mobile.

Crystals alone look more subtle, but spread their magic just as well.
Crystals alone look more subtle, but spread their magic just as well.

Then I attach the suncatcher to a glider and hang it on the curtain rail. Without a curtain rail, I could also attach it to a pole or to the ceiling with eyebolts.

Rings of Saturn

Surrounding my crystal with a decorated ring makes my mobile look even prettier. To achieve that, I cut a piece of golden wire and thread several beads onto it. The transparent gold decorative beads I go for also reflect the sunlight, adding even more sparkle. As the wire is thin enough, it can also be secured with a crimp bead. I thread another bead over the ends to make sure it stays in place.

The rigid wire has a nice, round shape, but is difficult to secure.
The rigid wire has a nice, round shape, but is difficult to secure.
That’s why I hold the ring tight while I squash the crimp bead.
That’s why I hold the ring tight while I squash the crimp bead.
My very own miniature Saturn.
My very own miniature Saturn.

Chain of beads

In addition to the rings, I also decide to add beads to the nylon thread. To do this, I attach the crystal to the thread with a crimp bead and string on lots of beads.

I simply thread the beads onto the string as if I was making a necklace.
I simply thread the beads onto the string as if I was making a necklace.

I pull the nylon thread twice through the last bead to prevent it from falling out again. To finish it off, I attach the chain to a curtain glider.

The hole of the last bead is large enough for me to pull the nylon through twice.
The hole of the last bead is large enough for me to pull the nylon through twice.
As an alternative to the glider, I could also hang the bead chain on a key ring.
As an alternative to the glider, I could also hang the bead chain on a key ring.
The chain gives the crystal an opulent look.
The chain gives the crystal an opulent look.

Golden plates

As a third decorative element, I add reflective gold plates to my suncatchers. I use scissors to cut circles out of gold embossing foil and pierce the circles on a cushion with a needle to create two holes I then pull the nylon thread through.

The soft surface prevents the hole from fraying.
The soft surface prevents the hole from fraying.
As before, I fasten the thread with crimp beads. Making a knot would be more complicated.
As before, I fasten the thread with crimp beads. Making a knot would be more complicated.

I attach a metal ring to one of the two gold circles – and attach a crystal to the ring, making it float inside it. This creates a beautiful play of light when circles and rings spin in opposite directions.

The gold foil plate can hold the weight of this relatively light crystal ball.
The gold foil plate can hold the weight of this relatively light crystal ball.
The ring, however, mustn’t be loaded too heavily or the material will tear.
The ring, however, mustn’t be loaded too heavily or the material will tear.

Sun disco

Because I can’t get enough of light effects, I add a small mirror ball to my suncatchers – also on a nylon thread so that it blends in with my DIY mobile.

Everything sparkly is welcome.
Everything sparkly is welcome.

Arranged at different heights, the suncatchers create a beautiful mobile that projects a spectacular play of light and colour onto the walls.

Maybe all that glitters is gold after all.
Maybe all that glitters is gold after all.
Header image: Stefanie Lechthaler

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Stefanie Lechthaler
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Stefanie.Lechthaler@digitecgalaxus.ch

Painting the walls just before handing over the flat? Making your own kimchi? Soldering a broken raclette oven? There's nothing you can't do yourself. Well, perhaps sometimes, but I'll definitely give it a try.

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