Etch It Up!

A couple years ago for Christmas my sister recognized my deep desire to etch some glass ball ornaments and she gave me some stencils and some Armour Etch Cream.  Due to my lack of time (and fear of the cream itself) I never actually etched the ornaments or used the cream at all.  Have you ever been at the craft store and looked at etch cream/read the back label on it???  It's really intimidating..."Do not come in contact with your skin; if comes in contact with your skin first aid is needed immediately..." Uh...YIKES!  This summer, my friend Amy and I decided that we were going to get together once a week and partake in a "craft day".  Our husbands were way sad by our decision because they really love to join in on our craft projects...yeeee---aaaah riiiiiight!!!  :)  Our first project that we decided to tackle was etching glass.  It was super easy, just a little time consuming but the outcome was worth it!  I plan on etching a vase later on this week :).

Supplies Needed:

*Roll of Contact Paper - $8

*Foam Paint Brush - $.99/bag

*Etch Cream - $8.50/3 oz bottle

*Thin Tip Sharpie - $2

*Exact-O Knife - $4

*A print off of what you want to etch - Free (assuming you have a computer and printer at home)

*Something to Etch - (Mine was a picture frame from the Salvation Army - $1.50)

Step 1 - Trace your design onto your contact paper...make sure you have your paper facing the correct way and don't be like me who traced it and then spent time cutting the entire design out only to realize that it was backwards...doi!

Step 2 - Use your Exact-O Knife to cut out your design

Step 3: Wash and dry your glass surface to prepare it.

Step 4: Peel off the backing to the contact paper and carefully adhere it to your glass surface.  Be sure you work out any seams or bumps in it that could allow the cream to seep under.

Step 5: Generously apply the etch cream to your glass in an up and down motion until the entire design has been filled in.

Step 6:  Wait 5-10 minutes for the cream to attack the glass.

Step 7: Run your glass under the faucet until all traces of the cream have been rinsed off.

Step 8: Dry off your surface and peel off your contact paper.

Step 9: Admire your work :)

I added some scrapbook paper to my frame to make the monogram pop - obviously, you would skip this step if you were etching a vase.

Go get your hands on some etching cream and a glass piece you want to personalize!  You can do this, it's super easy! :)

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Sew Can Do; Tools are for Women; Between Naps on the Porch; Simpsonized Crafts; Southern Hospitality; Keeping it Simple; It's So Very Cheri; Sumo's Sweet Stuff; DIY Showoff; The Girl Creative; Making the World Cuter; Mad in Crafts; C.R.A.F.T.; Lucky Star Lane; Sugar Bee; Coastal Charm; All Thingz Related; Silly Little Sparrow; Hope Studios; Today's Creative Blog; Night Owl Crafting; Life in the Pitts; Bargain Shopping Paradise; Dragonfly Designs; Tea Rose Home; Someday Crafts ; Blue Cricket Design; Trendy Treehouse; Me and My Bucket; Sew Much Ado; Somewhat Simple; Fireflies and Jellybeans; The Shabby Chic Cottage; House of Hepworths; Everything Etsy; Life as Lori; Fingerprints on the Fridge; Shabby Nest; It's a Hodgepodge Life; No. 504 Main; Fun to Craft; A Few of My Favorite Things; Home Is Where My Story Begins; Tidy Mom; Chic On A Shoe String Decorating