Etching with Dollar Store Glass

A couple of items from the local dollar store plus etchall® dip'n etch = a fun votive for Fall...

You will need:

etchall® dip'n etch*

etchmask™

Pick Knife

Glass Gems - Amber

Rub'n Buff*- Antique Gold

E-6000 adhesive

Square glass votive

Painter's tape

Star punch or digital shape cutting machine

Shallow plastic dish for etching

*Please read the manufacturer's directions if you haven't used these products before and always work on a protected surface.

   

Instructions:

1. Cut small star shapes from etch mask. I used my Cricut® Maker™ and filled a 9" x 7" piece of etchmask with 1/2" stars, spaced 1" apart. Peel away the outer area of etch mask after cutting and set aside. It can be used as an all-over star stencil for another project.    

2. Using the pick tool, lift stars from the sheet then center on each gem. Press firmly in place.

3. Place the gems in a single layer in a shallow, plastic dish then cover with dip'n etch. Leave for 15 minutes. Place a funnel into the top of the dip'n etch container, (I cut the top from an empty soda bottle to use for a funnel) then place a sieve on top. Carefully pour the dip'n etch back into the container letting the gems fall into the sieve, then rinse the gems thoroughly.  NOTE: Do not rinse over a porcelain sink!  Drops of dip'n etch may etch the surface.

4. Remove the stars and let the gems dry. Depending on the number of gems you need to etch and the size of the dish, you may need to do this in two batches.

5. Etch the base of the votive. Fill the plastic container with dip'n etch about 1/2" deep then place the glass votive into the container. Leave for 15 minutes, then remove the votive and rinse. Pour the dip'n etch back into the container. This step is optional. You can also leave the base of your glass piece clear.

6. Dry the votive with a soft cloth then place painter's tape around the top edge of the etched border. Color the border with Rub'n buff then remove the tape. I apply Rub'n Buff with a soft cloth, or paper towel. Rub'n Buff will stick to the etched surface, but can be easily removed from un-etched glass. Always protect the surface you are working on and your fingers! This step is also optional. You don't have to color the base. My glass had some marks in the glass around the base I wanted to cover up. Don't forget, this will be your project and you don't have to do either of these steps.  

7.  Use E6000 to glue gems onto each side of the votive, one side at a time. 

8. Let the glue "set up" for at least an hour before turning, then hold the gems in place with painter's tape to prevent slipping.

9.  As you can see, I didn't cover the sides completely, so I had quite a few gems left over to play with. Before putting supplies away, I covered a few with Rub'n Buff to create these gold, glass gems.....  not sure what I'll use them for yet, but they look pretty cool, so thought I'd share......  Enjoy!

Y'all come back now........

Yours truly,

Julie  

KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON CRAFTING!