Hello friends! It's National Craft Month and today I am part of a special bloghop with the Designer Crafts Connection as we Upcycle and Create with Etchall®. I am relatively new to etching - my first project using Etchall® Etching Créme was adding a monogram to a mirrored compact for Christmas gifties and I am excited to etch everything under the sun!
Etchall® tickles my GREENcrafting heart as it makes customizing everyday items quick, easy and fun. Today I'm sharing a couple items from around the house transformed using Etchall®... first project goes from BBQ to Boho Budvase!
Etchall® tickles my GREENcrafting heart as it makes customizing everyday items quick, easy and fun. Today I'm sharing a couple items from around the house transformed using Etchall®... first project goes from BBQ to Boho Budvase!
Supplies needed:
- Etchall® Glass Etching BEE-Ginner Kit
- Fineline applicator bottle {from painting stash}
- grungy paintbrush {old and for gooey messy projects}
- scotch tape
- items to etch {bbq sauce bottle, tapered candle holder, recycled water bottle}
- rubbing alcohol and goo-gone
- soft towel
- scissors
- plastic palette knife
Pictured above is the Etchall® Glass Etching BEE-Ginner Kit that I received for this challenge. It has everything you need to get started... even a mirrored tile with hummingbird design to make right out of the box. Etchall® is a REUSABLE, easy to use etching créme that creates permanent etched designs on large or small areas of glass, mirror, ceramic, porcelain, marble and slate. No curing, drying required... it just takes 15 minutes! CLICK HERE to read more about this fantastic ACMI Certified product.
The preparation is the most time consuming part, and I'm doing three projects at once - making the process quick and easy! I'm transforming a recycled bbq sauce bottle, a tapered candle holder, and adding some design and texture to my glass water bottle. Each of these projects can be done in under an hour. First thing you need to do is remove all the labels, adhesive and wash items to be etched. I use goo-gone to remove adhesive residue. After washing, I go over each item with rubbing alcohol and soft cloth to remove any oils and fingerprints from handling. If you need to pick items up... put a baggie on your hand or wear gloves {baggies work for me}.
Using palette knife I scooped up some of the Etchall® Etching Créme and placed into my fineline applicator bottle - this was a bit of a task, but well worth it in the end. I now have the ability to precisely add Etchall in a fine line and create my own BOHO design. My BBQ bottle had a fine raised line along the top and bottom of where the label was and I wanted to etch this line. I could have done this much quicker with the adhesive vinyl in the kit, but I was going to add hand drawn doodling, so I carried on.
I drew on a freehand design {nothing pre-planned} and some accent dots until I was happy and set aside to dry. Since I didn't use the vinyl as masking to protect the un-etched glass, I will have to wash all of the dried Etchall® Etching Créme away to reveal my beautiful etched design. No worries since with this fine applicator, I used a small amount of product. After washing and drying bottle, I filled it with some white tulle and spring floral pick tied off with a bright green gingham bow. From BBQ to BOHO!
Next up, my glass water bottle that I've been using instead of a plastic bottle needs a little design and texture to give some extra grip. This bottle was originally bought containing fancy mineral water with the plans of reusing {I'm trying to eliminate plastic as much as possible}.
So I cut some strips of the vinyl from the kit about 1/4" wide and applied them vertically leaving about 1/4" between them. I didn't measure and didn't care if my stripes were a bit wonky... yeah - this measuring queen is just winging it!
After all lines are placed, I place a horizontal stripe along the top and bottom to make a nice finished edge. I burnish to make sure all cut edges are sealed down - this ensures a nice crisp edge. Lastly I added some scotch tape to protect the exposed glass at top and bottom of the bottle {conserving my vinyl for my next project}.
Now I can use my palette knife and apply the Etchall® Etching Créme like I'm icing a cake - making sure a nice even layer is applied.
After all lines are placed, I place a horizontal stripe along the top and bottom to make a nice finished edge. I burnish to make sure all cut edges are sealed down - this ensures a nice crisp edge. Lastly I added some scotch tape to protect the exposed glass at top and bottom of the bottle {conserving my vinyl for my next project}.
Now I can use my palette knife and apply the Etchall® Etching Créme like I'm icing a cake - making sure a nice even layer is applied.
I set this aside for 15 minutes. Then it's time for the reveal!! Using the pallete knife I scrape away the Etchall® Etching Créme and what's leftover goes back in the bottle. This little bottle of créme can be used over and over for loads of projects!!
LOOK AT THIS LOVELY ETCHING!!!
Now for my last project, the plain candle holder collecting dust in the cabinet. I'm going to use a brush to apply the Etchall® Etching Creme to the glass in a splotchy brushstroked pattern... similar to what you would see in Pier One or other home decor stores. This candle holder came from a dollar store to have on hand for hurricane season when we may need to use real flame candles. Using an old brush I just painted dabs of etching creme around and around until the whole candle was covered. Again I let this set to completely dry, then I will have to wash away all of the dried Etchall® Etching Créme away to reveal my beautiful etched design.
Look at that beautiful design... even the reflection is gorgeous!
The best part... I did it myself. I have a collected a whole box of glass items from around the house that I want to etch designs into for home decor and gift-giving throughout the year {especially the stockpile of scented jar candles}.
CLICK HERE to pop on over to Designer Crafts Connection for more ideas, techniques and magical transformations using Etchall® and to find a DCC coupon code to use at Etchall® for a special discount when you order your own beginner set. This offer is valid thru March 31st, 2017.
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Thanks for dropping by and I'd love to hear what items you are creatively upcycling! xo Sb
** This is a sponsored post. Etchall® has provided products for use in this project in exchange for my creative ideas, views and opinions. My ideas and opinions are my own.