May 01 2025

DIY Stained Glass Goldfish Earrings

Stained glass is having a moment. It's everywhere right now - from suncatchers, cake design, light fixtures, fabric patterns, and even jewelry. There are many possibilities if you are knowledgeable about the art form, but it can be a bit discouraging if you aren't! Now, by using acetate sheets and DecoArt's Stained Glass Paints, you can create faux stained-glass art, home decor, jewelry, and more.

Follow these easy steps to create faux stained glass jewelry!

Level:
Intermediate

Supplies: 
Flexible Transparent PET Plastic Sheet (0.02") 
DecoArt Stained Glass Paints
Wooden skewer
Scissors
Earring findings
Round nose pliers
Image template
Masking tape

Need to know:
Customize this project with your own drawing or printed image to trace. 
Allow pieces to completely dry flat before handling.
Some PET sheets are not flexible, and these are hard to cut to shape. 

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Rainbow Stained Glass Paint Set

$33.79

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STEP 1 

If you have a larger plastic sheet, cut a shape that is a more manageable size to fit your template. Peel off plastic coating (if applicable). Secure the printed/drawn template under the clear sheet using masking tape. Trace out design using the Stained Glass Leading on a level surface. Allow to dry to touch. 

STEP 2

Fill the dry leaded areas with the Stained Glass paints using a wooden skewer, palette knife, or brush. Mix custom colors on a clean non-stick surface before flooding the intended area. Also, for a more painterly look, add paint colors individually and mix on the leaded surface. Some helpful tips: Don't over mix. Pop any bubbles that form. Don't overfill. If paint spreads over the leading, just wipe off with clean/dry end of the wooden skewer. Allow to dry flat.

STEP 3

Once completely dry, cut out the shapes to the leading edge. Poke holes were jewelry findings will go using a small sharp object like a thumbtack or pin tool. Add jump rings to attach pieces together as well as the earring findings. 

Project Variation: Reverse painting

Set up your sheet and your template the same way as before; however, this time, instead of outlining the image with the Stained Glass Leading, try a liner brush and DecoArt's Opaque Glass Paint! Allow the outline to dry to touch and paint in the areas the same way as before using the Stained Glass Paints. Since you are painting on the reverse side of the plastic sheet, once dried and turned over, you will have a nice and neat image. Attach jewelry findings the same way. Now you have two sets of beautiful goldfish earrings!