I’ve been wanting to try glass etching for a long time, but I put it off, thinking it would be messy and wouldn’t work.
Sooo not true! Turns out, etching glass is super easy! I started with an simple project, etching a glass jar to display some of my vintage silverware…
Got a minute? If so, let me show you how easy this is!
Here’s What You Need:
(Includes affiliate links)
*Glass Etching solution (I used Armor Etch)
*A glass container
*Clear Contact Paper (for making a stencil)
*X Acto knife
*gloves
*tape
*paint brush
*graphic of choice (Graphics Fairy has some great free graphics)
* Self Healing Cutting Mat
Print out your graphic and cut a piece of contact paper the same size…
Stick contact paper to self healing mat…(If you’re using cardboard as opposed to a mat, don’t remove backing from contact paper- just tape the contact paper to the cardboard)
Tape your graphic on top of contact paper…
Using your X Acto knife, carefully cut through the stencil and the contact paper…lift the cut-out graphic and you’re left with your stencil…
Carefully pull the contact paper off of cutting mat and place on (clean) glass container…press out bubbles and using your fingernail, press down all edges so they’re sealed…
Tape around the contact-paper stencil so you don’t accidentally get etching solution on your glass…
Using an inexpensive paint brush, put a generous amount of etching cream onto your glass…
In my research, several people said not to simply leave the etching cream on for 6 minutes – instead, during that 6 minutes, brush horizontally …
Brush vertically ….
Brush diagonally … you’re working the etching cream into the glass…
After 4-6 minutes (see directions on jar)…rinse the cream off…
Remove tape and stencil! This was my first try and it worked like a charm!!!
Wouldn’t this make a pretty Mother’s Day gift for the vintage loving mom?
I’ve already got another etching project on the docket because I absolutely love this process …
Have you ever used etching cream? If so, did you make your own stencil?
Sending love my friends ~ ox
I used : Armour Etch Cream, 10-Ounce
Thanks Robin, I have wondered how well this would work. Love how it turned out.
As always, I’m SO impressed! Never even knew glass etching existed. Oh, the beautiful things you teach me!
I have a bottle of Armor Etch but haven’t tried it. Thanks for the inspiration! Great project to try while snowed in today!
Angie, I know you’ll love etching! ox
Robin, I love how you etched that darling jar and it looks so pretty with the vintage silverware in it to. I always wondered how you do it and that looked so easy too. Great idea and total. Thanks so much for linking up to our Something to Talk About Link again. I love it when you join us. Have a great week, xo Lisa
This is a look that I love, but also thought it was difficult to achieve. I’m re-thinking…
Thanks Robin
It’s so much easier than you think Jeanette!!! ox
I see you were wise and wore gloves.
If I were blogging about my experience with glass etching it would have trailed off mid-tutorial amid screams and a wild sprint around the house due to etching acid in a cut.
Wish I’d read your tutorial first…
I finally tried glass etching because of you Katie!!!! You inspired me 🙂 (you also inspired me to wear gloves 🙂 )