This instructable will show you how to repurpose household items to create a piece of art that mimics stained glass by using an old picture frame, spray paint, blank CDs, and colored permanent markers.

This instructable divides the instructions for this project into three sections, which will use simple steps to exhibit how to:

1) Prepare the Picture Frame

2) Create the Mimic Stained Glass

3) Assemble the Picture Frame

List of Required Materials:

An old, or cheap, picture frame (Preferably a frame with a wide, flat boarder)
Spay paint (Preferably a neutral color, such as black or white)
Blank, or old, CDs (The number of CDs depends on how large of a picture frame you choose to repurpose)
An assortment of colored permanent markers
A hot glue gun
Glue sticks for the hot glue gun
A small sheet of aluminum foil
A gallon sized Ziploc plastic bag (Although I suggest having a few more for back-ups)
A hammer
A broken-down cardboard box that is large enough to hold your supplies

WARNING: This project involves sharp objects and shards of plastic. Wear protective eyewear, especially during the section titled "Create the Mimic Stained Glass."

Step 1: Prepare the Picture Frame (Section 1, Part A)

To prepare the picture frame, you will need:

The broken-down cardboard box (Which will act as a work space)
The old picture frame
Spray paint

Step 2: Prepare the Picture Frame (Section 1, Part B)

First, remove the backing and the glass from the picture frame and set these aside until it is time to assemble the frame in the third and final section. You only want to spray paint the frame itself.

Step 3: Prepare the Picture Frame (Section 1, Part C)

Next, complete the following steps:

Take the cardboard box, frame, and spray paint to a garage or outdoor space.
Place the frame face-up on top of the cardboard box, which will contain the excess paint.
Shake the spray paint canister to ensure that it applies correctly.
Spray a thin, even layer of paint on the entire outward facing side of the frame.
Be sure to also spray a thin, even layer of paint on the inside and outside edges of the frame.

Step 4: Prepare the Picture Frame (Section 1, Part D)

Finally, once the outward-facing side of the frame is covered in a thin, even layer of paint, let the paint dry.

*Note: If necessary, you may need to add more layers of paint after the first layer is dry if the original color of the frame is still showing.

Step 5: Create the Mimic Stained Glass (Section 2, Part A)

To Create the Mimic Stained Glass, you will need:

Blank CDs
At least one gallon sized Ziploc plastic bag
A hammer
Colored Permanent markers

WARNING: Put on your protective eyewear to protect your eyes during this section of the instructable.

Step 6: Create the Mimic Stained Glass (Section 2, Part B)

First, to make them easier to shatter, place the CDs in the freezer for at least 30 minutes.

Step 7: Create the Mimic Stained Glass (Section 2, Part C)

Next, complete the following steps to shatter the CDs into shards:

Take the now frozen CDs out of the freezer.
Place up to 3 of the CDs into the Ziploc bag.
Use the Ziploc's zipper to secure the CDs in the plastic bag (The bag will keep the CD shards from scattering all over the place as the CD breaks).
Take the Ziploc bag containing the CDs and place it on a flat, hard surface (Preferably concrete).
With the hammer, repeatedly hit the Ziploc bag containing the CDs in a quick motion until you have a variety of large and small shards.
Continue this process of placing CDs into the Ziploc bag and breaking the CDs into shards by hitting them with a hammer until you have enough to cover your frame (I used about 15 CDs for a frame that holds an 11in. by 14in. picture).

*Note: The shards often break through the Ziploc bag, so I suggest starting fresh with a new bag each time you break new CDs.

This process is difficult, as CDs are quite durable, and the shards will not be perfect. Perfection is not the goal, but you may select the shards you want and discard the pieces of the CD that you feel will not work for your frame.

Step 8: Create the Mimic Stained Glass (Section 2, Part D)

Once you have the variety and number of shards that will best fit your frame, the next step is to add color. To do this you will:

Select a shard of CD.
Select a color of permanent marker.
Place the shard so that the shiny side of the CD shard is facing up.
Use the permanent marker to color the shard of the CD in a single direction to create a unified, natural look.
Set the colored shard aside to let the permanent marker dry.
Continue this process using different colors of permanent marker until all of the CD shards are colored.

*Note: Be gentle with the shards of CD and avoid squeezing the edges, as they are sharp and could potentially cut your finger.

Step 9: Assemble the Picture Frame (Section 3, Part A)

To assemble the picture frame, you will need:

The now dry frame still sitting on the cardboard box work space
The colored CD shards
A hot glue gun
Glue for the hot glue gun
A small piece of aluminum foil placed under the hot glue gun to catch any glue that falls from the hot glue gun

Step 10: Assemble the Picture Frame (Section 3, Part B)

Next, complete the following steps:

Select the four largest CD shards and place them at all four corners, as this will be the best way to begin the placement of the CD shards on the frame.
Use the hot glue gun to put a generous amount of glue on the backside (the side that is not colored) and stick the glued side to the frame.
Once the four corners are done, start glueing more CD shards onto the frame by working from the corners outward toward the center.
Continue glueing the CD shards onto the frame until the entire frame is covered.

*Note: How much blank space you want between the colored CD shards is up to you. I chose to cover as much of the frame as I could.