Etching Colored Glass

I love to shop - at the dollar stores!  My favorite aisle is the glass aisle, where I keep an eye out for colored glass containers.  There's a color for every season to create a simple, elegant piece for an empty corner.  Of course, they look like inexpensive glass pieces, but with a little bit of etchall® magic, they can easily be transformed into something special.  And, the best part of all, it only takes 15 minutes, plus an extra 15 minutes or so to clean the glass before and after.  EZPZ Quick'n EZ.

 

Unlike a colored wine bottle for example, not all colored glass is actually colored glass. These pieces for example are color coated on the outside and will not etch.  How can you tell?  Hold the vase up to the light, then look at the bottom.  If the glass is clear, then it's color coated on the outside and will not etch, but the inside will!  All you have to do is clean each piece thoroughly then fill with etchall® dip'n etch.   Let sit for 15 minutes, then pour the dip'n etch back into its container -  Etchall crème and dip is reusable - so don't throw it away.  Cut the top off an empty soda bottle then turn it upside down to use as a funnel.  Remember to clean and dry it first.

 

Rinse your glass pieces thoroughly then dry.  I like the "milk  glass look" and think they look great  "as is", but adding a few decorative elements is easy too. 

   

Here's how I added a few daisies to the green vase.......

You'll need:

Craft paint for glass - White & Yellow

Paintbrushes - any kind because you'll be using the handles

Palette - a disposable plate, plastic lid, or wax paper works great

 

1. Place the vase on a flat surface  then pour a puddle of white paint onto your palette.

    

2. To create the flower petals, dip the end of the paint brush handle into the paint.  Holding the brush straight upward, press the end onto the glass, slide down about 1/2" then lift.  Voilà - you've created a petal.  Make 4 petals N S E W as shown then referring to the diagram below, add additional petals between these 4.  For even more petals, add additional petals between these. Petals don't have to be perfect and no two flowers are the same. You can make small and large flowers using this technique.  Let dry.

  Diagram for Petal Placement 

                                 

3.  Add a large, yellow dot of paint for the flower center - the thickness of the handle determines the size of the dot, so use a brush with a larger handle, or, I added a yellow adhesive acrylic jewel at the center for extra sparkle!

4.   To make the dotted lines, dip the end of the handle into the paint. Make a dot on the surface, lift up then make another dot next to the first. Repeat until you have 5 dots.  Each subsequent dot will be smaller than the one before.  If you want to create same size dots, you have to dip the end of the handle into the paint each time.

If you don't want to decorate with paint, you can also use charms, tassels, chains, etc.

    

Enjoy!   Y'all come back now............

Yours truly,

Julie

KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON CRAFTING!