Etched Glasses

  ✂︎

Favorite

Comment

List

       

Share

• 

  Step 1

  First step: get some glass. I stopped at a secondhand shop to see if they had anything that might work. It was a big place and I was starting to think maybe they didn’t have any glasses, but then I turned the corner:

  THERE THEY ARE! A huge selection. I also took some photos of other etched glasses in case I needed some inspiration later. Then the nice woman at the check out gave me a discount and I only paid $1.28 for a beer mug and four tumblers. Sweet!

• 

  Step 2

  Next stop was the hardware store for some “glass etching cream.” This is a thing? Turns out, it is, but I couldn’t find it at the hardware store. Of course, Martha knows all about it. I found mine at Michael’s* (and bring a coupon, ‘cause it ain’t cheap). *Turns out there may be a better option. Check around for Armor Etch- it would also be at an art supply store but something more like Prism Art Supplies rather than a chain.

• 

  Step 3

  Next step is planning. I decided to start with something easy. The book recommends using contact paper, and after working on this I also recommend it, but all I had was blue painter’s tape so I went with it.

• 

  Step 4

  I printed out our logo, put some blue tape down on a cutting mat, then taped the paper with the printed logo over top of it.

• 

  Step 5

  I cut through both layers at once.

• 

  Step 6

  Remember: think opposites. I wanted the logo to be etched, so I put the tape left from around the logo onto the glass.

• 

  Step 7

  ...

• 

  Step 8

  Then cover in a thick layer of the etching cream.
  Safety Moment: gloves are highly recommended. Full disclosure: I did not wear gloves. If you are like me, and feel that gloves really limit your dexterity and prefer to generally live life in the fast lane, at least remove any jewelry you may be wearing.

• 

  Step 9

  Leave on for 15 minutes.

  It turned out well! There was a little bleeding, so I made a note to press down extra hard on the tape edges for future glasses. Then I gave it to Amanda, Homespun owner extraordinaire, as a special present from her favorite employee!

• 

  Step 10

  Next, I searched online for mid-century patterns to start planning my set of four tumblers (because I’m on the cusp of new trends, of course!) and was inspired by this one:

• 

  Step 11

  I liked that it was a free-form design, which I thought would be easier and more forgiving for a beginner.

• 

  Step 12

  Here’s me struggling through:

• 

  Step 13

  Then I used the cut-out pieces for the next glass, which was a much easier process. I recommend this if possible.

• 

  Step 14

  ...

• 

  Step 15

  ...

• 

  Step 16

  ...

• 

  Step 17

  Next I decided to go geometric rather than organic. Inspired by this design:

• 

  Step 18

  I actually found this process easier for me.

• 

  Step 19

  I just kind of winged it- cut strips and laid them on one at a time.

• 

  Step 20

  No sketch or template.

• 

  Step 21

  I did the same for the next one with even less of a plan. I wanted to do something that would be a lot quicker to execute and still maintain the geometric theme.

• 

  Step 22

  Here they all are as a group:

  I think it went pretty well! Something like this would be a really cool and cheap party favor or housewarming/wedding gift. I could imagine making a few of these and having them on hand for such occasions.

  Thanks for reading along! Hope you enjoyed our first How-To post. If you have any questions or ideas for projects you’d like to know how to do please don’t hesitate to contact me at marketing@homespunindy.com or post in the comments below. I would LOVE to hear from you!

Comments

Leave your comment