We have been wanting to try out glass etching for some time now. It seemed a little intimidating—the idea is to corrode glass into a design. But sometimes you just got to go for it; and by "go for it" we mean read the directions, check any online resources you can find and then just jump in.
1. Supplies: Armour Etch cream, glass (we did a decanter and companion cup), contact paper, disposable brush and gloves. Make sure to cover your working area completely before you start using the cream. 2. Cut out your design in the contact paper. 3. Stick your design on to your glass object(s). Be sure the edges adhere well otherwise your cream could seep through and smudge your design. 4. Wear gloves to paint on a very thick layer of cream. Wait three minutes. Wash the cream off in running water. Remove your contact paper and clean your object(s).
A few tips we learned about glass etching:
-The cream is a very strong chemical so you need to work in a well ventilated area. Wear gloves. Don't get the cream on your clothes. Don't get the cream on your skin, hair or eyes. This is not a project to do with young children as the etching cream truly is quite… corrosive.
-Most online resources suggested to leave the cream on for only 1 minute. We tried this and found the results to be too subtle. The project shown had the cream on it for 3 minutes and you can see how well the glass frosted during this period.
-Be sure to apply a very thick layer of cream as you work. You don't want to be able to see through the cream, so really paste it on.
Have fun and be safe creating your own glass etching projects! xo. emma and elsie
38 Comments
I’ve been seeing these everywhere with corny quotes on them. I can’t wait to try some that will actually fit into my decor. Love the shapes you ladies picked!
ps. small typo in instruction number 4.
Great idea kids! 🙂
xoxo
http://www.natashafatah.com
That is awesome!
I love etching! I have been doing glasses and glass mugs for wedding gifts lately. But I leave the cream on for at least 2 hours. I have even left it on overnight before. It had completely dried and I had to use an old toothbrush to scrub it off, but it was a beautiful etch. You do need to make sure the edges of the vinyl mask are well adhered and do be careful of drips cause they can sure ruin a design. I usually set mine on a piece of tin foil to protect any surfaces.
Love that decanter and glass – the way the glass fits in the decanter is really a neat design. Where did you find it? I know probably vintage, right?
Jeez ass, amazing diy projects for days 🙂 Can’t wait for some free time to give this a whirl!
xoxo
I’ve always wondered what etching on glass is like, you got brilliant results! I love the idea of doing a matching set of glasses with polkadots etched on!
So cool! Y’all think of everything!
http://www.loganmakesamess.com
http://www.loganmakesamess.com/2012/04/fashion-messblogging-event.html
Wow that is such a unique DIY!
Wonderful idea and execution
Mmm wine. Oh, the etching is nice too 😉
that’s soooo coooool
How fun! Does it turn out to be dishwasher safe?
Yours turned out beautiful!! I’m not sure I would be good around those chemicals haha 🙂 Love it!
So simple – I am trying this :).
I’ve always wanted to try glass etching. One book that always gives me great etching inspiration is Remake Restyle Reuse. Their projects remind me of yours. Great taste!
Thanks for sharing–
Very cool! Love this super easy idea! 🙂
http://www.happypaperplace.com/
Super pretty!
http://pinkscriptblog.blogspot.com/
Looks like pro!
Jill
http://www.geekchicsocial.com
your pictures are pretty! can’t wait to see more of your etching projects.
I used the same etching cream and i must not have left in on long enough because it was too subtle. I will try leaving it on longer next time.
Vintagehoneybee.blogspot.com
WAHT? I didn’t even know that this was a thing you could do yourself!! So many new DIY opportunities! I wonder where I can find this stuff in Australia…
What did you use to stick the paper down?Rx
http://sandersonsmithstory.blogspot.co.uk/
Nice DIY!!
The etching on the decanter looks a bit uneven and streaky. Any tips for avoiding that?
I love this!! i want to do it asap!!
That is so cool! I never thought of that! Great results!
Wow this came out really nice though I’m afraid I’d make a mess.
I like it!
Val
http://valentinaduracinsky.blogspot.com/
WOW. That turned out very stunning. I love it!
Ive been wanting to try this for ages aswel but cannot find Armour Etch cream anywhere in NZ! Thanks for sharing this cool DIY Elsie! x
Looks very effective! I didnt even know this was possible! Thanks for sharing
I love this look! Definitely want to give this a try! You always have the best DIYs!
ooooh i’m such a sucker for a tie-blouse!! Been wanting to try something like this for a while! Thanks for the great tutorial!
this looks awesome! I need to try this on our simple glassware to jazz it up a bit
http://thelittletexan.blogspot.com/
They don’t sell that kind of product here in Argentina :c
How pretty!
Never thought of this before… great idea!
Love the end result and think I’ll give it a try 🙂
xo Sari
Hi to all, how is the whole thing, I think every one is getting more from this web page.
I’ve done glass etching once before, in an art class. My instructor told us that the streakiness can’t be avoided all that much and to do designs that had no large areas of etching in them. I kind of don’t mind the streaking though, especially if you plan to use the decanter in the winter, around Christmas 🙂
I leave the Armour Etch on for 20 minutes with great results! A money-saving tip I learned from a Cricut Forum…use your brush to wipe the excess etching solution back into the bottle for future use! I’ve used the same 8 oz. bottle for over two years on many projects and just recently bought more.