Do you have a running list of projects that you want to try…just because? Maybe because it looks interesting, or fun, or challenging…or maybe you’re just curious.
Of course you do! You’re a DIYer…a crafter…a dreamer…a creator!!
One of the things on my very, VERY long list is glass etching. So a couple of weeks ago at Bed, Bath & Beyond, I picked up a very inexpensive olive oil bottle with a spout for $4.99. I had been wanting a bottle just like this for dish soap.
I liked it, but I wanted to add a little pizzazz to it. So I went to Michael’s and picked up some of these little sticker letters in the scrapbook aisle…
…and under the watchful eye of my faithful assistant…
…I applied the letters down the middle of one side, and then used painters tape to tape off a rectangular area around the letters.
Then I used Armour Etch glass etching cream…
…and brushed on a thick layer over the letters and up to the painters tape.
Then I let left it alone for five minutes, like the directions said…
…and then I washed it off thoroughly.
I could tell that the glass looked a little cloudy, so I was anxious to remove the letters and the tape.
But when I did, the etching seemed very faint. I could only make out the letters at a certain angle under the light. I was a bit disappointed.
Ssoooooo…I taped it up again, and repeated the process.
More etching cream…another five minutes…
…and another rinse.
Definitely better…but I still wish it showed up more. Hmmm…third time’s a charm? I dunno.
Perhaps I should just mark “glass etching” off of my “want to try” list and move on.
So have you ever tried etching cream to etch a design onto glass? What were your results? Were you pleased with the outcome? Or were you like me…a bit disappointed?
Perhaps you have some pointers for me. If so, I’d love to hear them!!
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I've have yet to try glass etching (also on my to do list) but I've read several blogs posts about it. Most of the time people leave the cream on for about 25-30 minutes even though the bottle says 5 minutes.
I would give it one last try leaving the cream on for a lot longer.
I love the idea of putting dish soap in an oil bottle.
Maybe it would show up better with a darker color dish soap? Who knows.
Sure is disappointing when projects don't turn out as exciting as they are in your head! Happens to me all the time…but that won't stop me
Ooh, I like it! I actually don't mind it not being so stark. I'd love to make this particular project, actually, thanks for the tips!
I have left it overnight even. Longer and thicker is definitely better to get a good etch.
Yes! I etched the glass pane door that lead to our guest room. It was clear glass and offered no privacy. The trick to getting it more "etched" is to leave it on longer. I left the etching cream on the door for 30 minutes to get the look I wanted.
Wow…30 minutes?! OVERNIGHT?! I think I was afraid that it would eat through the tape at some point (I'm obviously not a chemist…I have no idea about this stuff). Perhaps I'll give it another try. It's just too bad that I used up all of the S's!! I'll have to go get another package of stickers.
Thanks for the tips!!
I had the same experience…. tried it twice and it was too faint to see.
Tried it on a candy dish.
I've never tried it myself, but I think it looks pretty cool on your dish soap bottle – it's kind of subtle and doesn't scream "dish soap"
LOL, thanks for letting us know. Never used it before, but have been wanting to try it sometime.
You know what I use for mine???
I actually just used masking tape, (he he) and took a sharpie and wrote olive oil, veg oil, and the more it gets used, and soaked in oil, or washed with water, the older it looks.
I actually LOVE the way it turned out, and come on, can you get any cheaper than that?????
Bella
Love your blog… I've etched glass over a picture with the family name as well as other items. The picture turned out nice because it is displayed over a dark green mat. My husband even bought me an etching box to "sand blast etch" that to be honest I have yet to use! I think I may just have to pull it out!
I really have had the most luck with colored glass. A cobalt blue glass with etching looks beautiful!
Debra
DesignHouse Inc
I had the brilliant idea to etch small glass jars to put my spices in. Mine was a no-go…it barely showed up.
After doing mroe research I realized that the higher quality the glass, the less the etching cream works…I was told that dollar store glass is the absolute best for etching!
I make my own etching stencils like you did for this project. You're right – if you leave the cream on too long, it will begin to eat through the tape and letters. To fix that, I typically layer the tape and put about 3 strips of it to make it thicker (thus taking longer to disintegrate)…and then leave the cream on for about 45 minutes.
Kristen
http://www.decoratingdiy.blogspot.com
Love your blog… I've etched glass over a picture with the family name as well as other items. The picture turned out nice because it is displayed over a dark green mat. My husband even bought me an etching box to "sand blast etch" that to be honest I have yet to use! I think I may just have to pull it out!
I really have had the most luck with colored glass. A cobalt blue glass with etching looks beautiful!
Debra
DesignHouse Inc
Yes! I etched the glass pane door that lead to our guest room. It was clear glass and offered no privacy. The trick to getting it more "etched" is to leave it on longer. I left the etching cream on the door for 30 minutes to get the look I wanted.
I've have yet to try glass etching (also on my to do list) but I've read several blogs posts about it. Most of the time people leave the cream on for about 25-30 minutes even though the bottle says 5 minutes.
I would give it one last try leaving the cream on for a lot longer.
I love the idea of putting dish soap in an oil bottle.
I kind of like how it turned out..
Love it and I actually want one like it
I think it looks very pretty and you should be proud of being so inventive. I think it could make a great gift to someone also if you personalize it with their name:)