How To Tuesday - How to Etch Glass

Hey everyone!  I hope you had a great Monday.  Before we get to the tutorial (not even sure I can call it that - it's seriously that easy) I just have to share.  This is our first year in Boy Scouts - and Joshua loves it.  In fact last night he was awarded his very first badge!  Woo Hoo! :)

Anyways...So you want to etch some glass?  Be careful.  It's kind of addicting.  It's easy and quick -- instant gratification. 

First gather your supplies - some kind of glass, glass etching cream, a brush (I got one from the stencil area so it has a brush on one end and a poke on the other but a regular brush will work well too), vinyl (or I would imagine contact paper), and a stencil. 

The cream I used was Armour Etch.  I got a 3 oz bottle from Hobby Lobby for $8.50 (so I used my coupon - I love 50% off).  They also had a larger bottle for about $20 and really I should have gotten that one.  But I have about a third of the bottle left after 25 glasses. 

As far as stencils go I used my cricut.  Confession -- I've had it for a year and a half and this is the first project I've ever made with it.  I'm hooked!! :) I cut onto the vinyl with 3/4 inch font (Cutin' up cartridge).  You could also buy stencils or make your own cutting away on the vinyl. 

1. So make sure your glasses are washed and dry.  Cut out your stencil.

You can do initials, first names, last names, phrases, pictures -- whatever you want!

2.  Take the letters out so all you are left with is the outline and place on your glass.

3. Then, using either your poke end of the paint brush or just the flat side of your brush kind of outline the letters/picture to make sure it is pressed down really well.  This step takes 30 seconds and is totally worth it!!

4. Add your glass etching cream.

(I'm really not sure why the picture is on it's side....lol but you get the idea)

5. Wait the 5 minutes and rinse off with water and take your stencil off. DO NOT TOUCH THE CREAM -- LET THE WATER JUST RINSE IT OFF!!

6.  That's it -- you are done.  Quick, easy, not a lot of clean up.  What's not to love?

Tips:

 * To remove price tags rinse under hot water.  They peel right off -- stickiness and all

 * I didn't have much luck reusing stencils - I just re-made them each time.

 * The directions said to brush the cream up and down.  I dabbed it on there.  More like blobbed.  I didn't  get the results I wanted with brushing.  Don't be scared - layer it on!