Hot Crafting Trend That's Easier than You Think

As the gift-giving time of year is in full swing, we are on a mission to come up with lots of DIY gift ideas that you can create without too much stress on you or your wallet. Glass etching may not be the first thing that comes to mind, but it should.  From stemware to casserole dishes to glass Christmas ornaments, it’s a fantastic way to personalize a gift.

Photo: Design Mom

Etching is one of those crafting techniques that may seem tricky and time-consuming to someone who has never tried it. We’re here to tell you, it couldn’t be simpler!

Photo: Martha Stewart via Plaid Online

If you’re not familiar with etching, you may be thinking it involves tools, carving and the potential for broken glass strewn across your table. Fear not! In fact, etching involves little more than a stencil, some tape, a popsicle stick and etching cream, all of which are available at your local craft store.

Photo: Etsy

Etching also takes surprisingly little time! Once you have everything you need, the actual process takes only a matter of minutes. Gift giving just got a lot easier.

Here’s the list:

• Contact paper or a stencil

• Painter’s tape

• A popsicle stick

• A punch or Cricut Cutter (if using contact paper)

• Armor Etch etching cream

• Gloves

There are two approaches to creating your etching pattern. One is to use a premade stencil, and the other is to use contact paper. The beauty of using contact paper, is that you can create any stencil you want using a punch or Cricut Cutter.  Also, it sticks directly to your glass surface, so there’s no need for painter’s tape, and there is no risk of the etching cream creeping under the edge of the stencil.

Here are the three easy steps you need to take to your glass surfaces from drab to dazzling:

Step 1.

Attach the stencil (whether premade or cut out of contact paper) to your clean glass surface. Make sure it is completely flush with the glass, as you don’t want any cream running underneath the edges of the stencil.

Photo: Bespangled Jewelry

Step 2.

While wearing gloves, use a popsicle stick and apply the etching cream to the negative space of the stencil. You want to make sure you apply an even layer.  Any lumps in the cream can be gently pushed off to the side of your contact paper stencil or onto the painter’s tape holding your premade stencil in place.

Photo: The Yummy Life

Step 3

Allow the etching cream to sit for 5 minutes, and then wash it off under the tap. Remove your stencil, and wipe your glass dry.

Photo: Thistlewood Farms

There you have it - a seemingly intimidating crafting technique, demystified. Before you know it, you’ll be etching through the month of December, and everyone on your list will be well taken care of.