Upcycle with etchall®!

Don't throw empty perfume and/or cologne bottles away when you can pretty them up with etchall® dip'n etch!  Dip'n etch is a liquid that makes etching glass so EASY.....

You'll Need:

• etchall® dip'n etch
• Clear plastic container a little larger than the item you want to etch 
• Permanent black marker

1. Cut off the top of an empty plastic bottle and set it aside to use as a funnel. 

2. To determine how much dip'n etch liquid you'll need, place your item inside the plastic container. Fill with water up to the area you do not want etched. (I used my new bottle of cologne to photograph this step, since the old one was empty and would float. If you are etching something that would float/bob up, put something heavy on top, or fill with rice for example so it is weighted down.)

  

PLEASE NOTE:  

I colored the water with food coloring to make the water levels easier for you to see.

3. Remove the item and the water level will sink. Mark the level on the outside of your container with a marker, or tape.

4. Empty the container then dry the inside thoroughly.

5. Fill the container with dip'n etch up to the mark then carefully add the item you want to etch.  Let sit for at least 15 minutes then remove your item. Rinse thoroughly then dry.

6. Etchall etching products are reusable, so using the top of the plastic bottle as a funnel, pour the dip'n etch back into its original container.  How easy is that!!!

7. Decorate if desired. I used a simple piece of ribbon and sand dollar charm for mine.

         I love etched glass... it reminds me of sea glass and I love anything that has to do with the beach and ocean. 

PLEASE REMEMBER- Etching products remove glaze, so....

Do not rinse your etched items over a porcelain sink

Always work on a safe, non glazed surface, or use a mat  

Do not store etching product in cold, or hot areas

Always read directions on container!

        Look for more etched projects - including slate! - using the "search" tab here on my blog. There's also lots of inspiration, tutorials, videos and more on the etchall website.

Enjoy!

Yours truly,

Julie 💔

KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON CREATING!

Etching with etchall®

If you follow my blog, you'll know how much I love working with glass. I even took a class on glass cutting about 25 years ago, but soon realized that that wasn't for me. I think it had something to do with the band aid in the supply kit...

I first met "etchall Barbee" at the Arts & Crafts trade show in the early 90's. I also loved decorative painting and fell in love with the idea of being able to paint on an etched glass surface.  The prep work was so much easier and a lot faster than sanding and sealing wood.......   Since that time,  I've created a number of etched glass pieces, so I thought I'd share a variety of ideas and techniques to inspire and encourage your itch to etch.....   Most of them have been featured here on my blog, so if you'd like detailed, step by step instructions, enter "etched glass" in the search bar and they should come up.  Let's go!

1.  Let's start with some dip'n etch projects that are quick and easy.

 

I love colored glass, so I picked up some colored glass pieces from the dollar store and even found a couple on the clearance shelf at my local supermarket. You can also find them at your local craft store, but make sure you have a coupon.....   The challenge with some colored glass pieces is that it isn't colored glass at all. More often than not, it's clear glass with a colored coating on the outside - can't be etched - on the outside, but you can etch the inside!  You can tell if it's coated by looking at the bottom.  If the glass is color coated, the bottom will be clear.  If it's colored glass, the bottom will be colored too - like a wine bottle.  

Check out these glass pieces before and after etching them on the inside.  Always wash and dry glass pieces thoroughly first, then simply fill with dip'n etch liquid.  Leave for 15 minutes, then pour the dip'n etch back into the container.  Quick'n EZPZ....

   

And these were decorated with beads...  The mason jar is colored glass, so it can be etched on the inside or the outside, or both.

 

This painted vase was also etched on the inside, I simply filled it to the brim with dip'n etch.  

 

The pieces below were etched on the outside by immersing in a plastic container that was just a little larger than the pieces.  The heart shaped bottle looks like sea glass. I etched the milk bottle so I could paint the cherries on it.

     

The mason jars were also immersed in a container of dip'n etch.  (I used an empty soda bottle a little larger than the mason jar for this.)  The designs were created using a star punch and strips of etchmask™ used for creating your own stencils.  For the votives and wine bottle, I used Peel Off star stickers. The light comes from a light stick in the wine bottle.

 

    

Here are some more etched bottles using dip'n etch.  They each have an LED tea light under their hat.

  

And here's a glass plate I etched so I could paint it with regular acrylic paint. This is just one of the projects featured in my book, Garden of Glassware, a decorative painting book by Leisure Arts.

2. These projects were etched with etching cream.

 

 

I designed and cut my own stencils for these using etchmask and my Cricut Explore. 

 

   

       

 

I etched the candlestick bases with star stickers (negative etch) then placed a small, multi colored LED tea light under the base of the candlestick. I loved how the stars reflected on the wall. You can see the base design on the second photo.  The top is a light shade kit, also from etchall.

 

The feathery look on the painted plate and the rim of the cookie plate was created by using a sea sponge to dab the etching cream onto the surface.

 

 

 

And here's etching on china. The pig was placed in dip'n etch and the letter M was etched onto the center of the plate with cream then enhanced with gold rub'n buff. The Aloha sign is etched slate.  The lantern has a different design etched on each side of each piece of glass which gave it a dimensional effect.

  

      

I used the same layering technique for the winter frame.  4 individual designs were etched on both sides of 2 pieces of glass which were then layered in a float frame......

     

I hope you enjoyed this round up of etched designs and will try some etching yourself.  You'll be amazed how professional your projects will look - perfect for your own home, or to give as a gift.  Don't forget to use the code on the Designer Crafts blog for a special discount.  Enjoy!

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

Yours truly,

Julie :)

KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON CRAFTING!

Lucky Leprechaun Light

When Irish eyes are smiling, you know St. Patrick's day is coming up and it's time to put on the green and pull out the shamrocks because it's an opportunity to be creative, decorate and celebrate!

 

This lucky leprechaun was created from a green mason jar. I love working with glass and this makes the perfect party light.  Read on, and you'll see why.  Hint: he's keeping a secret under his hat.

You'll need the following supplies:

 

Green Mason Jar

etchall® dip'n etch (glass etching liquid)

Smoothfoam™ Cupcake shape

DecoArt® Gloss Enamels - Burnt Orange & Black

DecoArt Black Paint Marker

Paint daubers 1/2" round

Beacon 3 in 1 Glue

Wiggle Eyes

Button (nose)

Empty soda bottle (1 liter) or plastic container for dip

Sponge brush

Puck Light (optional)

1.  Remove the mason jar lid then fill the jar with glass pebbles/coins, etc (so it won't float when placed in dip'n etch glass etching liquid).

2.  Place the jar inside a plastic container. An empty soda bottle works well. Cut off the top part of the bottle. The top can be used as a funnel and the base is large enough to hold the mason jar. I used a container from the deli store this time since it is just a little larger in diameter than the jar.

3. Fill the plastic container with WATER up to the rim of the jar. (This step will show us how much dip'n etch we will need.)

4. Remove the jar and the water level will sink. Mark the water level on the outside of the container then empty and dry thoroughly. Dry the jar with a soft cloth.

5. Fill the container with dip'n etch up to the water level mark then replace the jar.  Leave for 15 minutes then remove the jar. Dry with a paper towel, remove the glass pebbles then rinse thoroughly. Use the funnel to pour the dip'n etch back into its container.  Don't forget, etchall dip'n etch is REUSABLE! Do NOT discard. 

6. Paint the Smoothfoam cupcake shape and the metal rim with black gloss enamel paint. You will achieve better coverage on both surfaces by dabbing the paint on, not stroking. Let dry, then glue the metal disc to the underside of the metal ring and the base of the cupcake to the top.

7. Use the round dauber to dab Burnt Orange circles in a "U" shape on the smooth side of the jar for the beard (see photo), then glue wiggle eyes and button in place. Draw a smile with the black paint marker. 

 

Option:  Glue a puck light to the underside of the lid to light up his smile!  He'll be sure to put a smile on your face too! 

Here's another St. Patrick's day project being featured on the When Creativity Knocks Winter series. It also features dip'n etch, Smoothfoam, DecoArt and Beacon products, but you'll have to tune in to find out why there's a pig involved.

Enjoy!  Y'all come back now.....

Yours truly,

Julie :)

KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON CRAFTING!

Cookies for Santa

Another week or so and we'll be making cookies for Santa. We usually make them on Christmas Eve, otherwise Santa's cookie plate will look like this....

I started by making a pattern for my die cutting machine including a line around the circle to make placement a little easier.  You can find the pattern in the "Personal Images" tab here on my blog. You will also need a small sea sponge, etchall™ etching crème, pik tool, etchmask™ and transfer paper.

Step 1:  Cut the pattern from etchmask. 

 

Step 2:  Weed (remove) the areas to be etched, including the circle line, with the pik tool while the etchmask is still on your cutting mat.

Step 3:  Cut a piece of transfer paper large enough to cover the pattern, remove the backing, then cover the circle with transfer paper.

Step 4:  Carefully lift the pattern from the mat then place at the center of the front of the plate. You can etch on the back if you like, but you will need to remember to cut a mirror image of the pattern. Make sure the pattern is firmly secured on the plate then carefully remove the transfer paper.  Check to make sure all the tiny pieces are in place. (Insides of the letter "e" for example.)

       

Step 5:  Cover the rim of the plate with scraps of backing paper, or whatever you have available to prevent any accidental etching.  Cover the areas to be etched liberally with the crème.  Etchall crème is reusable, so you can't use too much.  Let sit for 15 minutes then scrape the crème back into the container.  Rinse the plate to remove any remaining crème, then remove the pattern and extra paper.

NOTE:  This product will etch porcelain, so do not rinse over a porcelain sink!!! It will etch that too.

       

Step 6:  To create the lacy, snow effect on the rim, dip the surface of a softened sea sponge into the crème. (New sea sponges are always soft, but if it has been used before it will be hard. Soften under running water then squeeze out any water.  Dry thoroughly before using.)  Spread the crème on the sponge by dipping it gently on your work surface. Dab etching crème all around the rim of the plate on the back.  Leave for 15 minutes, then rinse. This method produces a lacy etched look, but usually there is not enough creme to scrape back into the container. 

Here's a photo of the plate in black and white so you can really see how pretty the etching looks on the rim.  You can see lots of etched glass ideas for Christmas and order etchall products online at www.etchall.com

Instead of adding words to the center of the plate, sponge the etching crème all over the back of the plate.  A set of these etched, glass plates would make a unique addition to any holiday table! 

Now it's time to bake some cookies for Santa!  Enjoy!  Y'all come back now......

Yours truly,

Julie :)

KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON CRAFTING!