Introduction: Suncatcher Fish Recycled From a 20oz Soda Bottle

By I'd Rather be Hookin'

This great Sun catcher is made from a 20oz soda bottle.

Why do I make these? Well personally I think they are so cute. My boys love them. My oldest son helps me make them, and they helped teach him the word "fish." Even my husband will toss me an empty soda bottle and say "Here is another fish."

They can be made into a mobile or used in a window as a sun catcher. They are very easy to make. If you are doing this project with children, you should do some of the beginning steps ahead of time. It really depends on the kids how many you need to do ahead.

WARNING:: This Instructable uses scissors, knives and spray paint. Please take the proper safety measures when working with these tools.

Step 1: Gathter Your Supplies

You will need:

20oz Soda Bottle
Stapler
Knife (I use an xacto knife)
Scissors
Adhesive Remover
Plastic Primer
Spray Paint

Step 2: Remove Your Label

Remove the label, then spray it with your adhesive remover. Let it sit for a minute or two. After your glue is gone, wash and rinse the bottle.

Step 3: Time to Cut

With a Knife cut the top of the bottle off. It is best if you cut it before the neck starts, where the plastic is not as thick.

With a Knife or scissors, cut the bottom off.

Step 4: Staple Time

Take your stapler and put 1-3 staples in the middle of the body as close to the head as you can.

Step 5: Cutting Again

You can use either a Knife, or scissors to make the following cuts.

1. Cut a V shape out of the mouth of the bottle. This will be the fish mouth.

2. Cut to follow the curve of the bottle on each side. Make sure not to go all the way through. This will be the fins and tail.

3. Mark and Cut a small fin in the top section of the bottle.

Step 6: Finishing Cuts

Now it is time to make slits in the fins. Again, make sure not to go all the way up. After you have made your cuts, fan out all of your fins, making sure not to break them.

Step 7: Primer Fun

Time to Prime. This step in unnessisary if you are using a Plastic paint. If you are not sure, prime anyway. This step is very important. If you do not use plastic paint, then the Paint will not stay.

Step 8: 1st Layer of Paint

If you slapped down some primer, then you can use any paint you wish. I use Krylon paints.

If you want some transparency, apply a thin coat.

Step 9: Finishing Touches

If you want you can spray paint the fins in a contrasting color. Paint the eyes or use google eyes. Poke a hole in the top between the fins for a string to hang.

Voila! There is your new fish.