Thursday Threads: Shut Your Pie Hole!

I am excited to share this fun glass etching tutorial! Etching is a beautiful, but subtle way to add character and personality to your glass. This is also the perfect touch to show off your holiday pies!

After making a few Strawberry Pies, Mom borrowed my pie plate. Fast forward several weeks...with my Blueberry Buckle batter mixed, I searched furiously for my pie dish. A quick call to Mom confirmed it was still MIA! Glass etching is the perfect solution to ensure it never goes missing again!

Let's DO this!

You will need a few little things:
- Glass of your choice {I used a 9 inch pie plate}
- Design of your choice
- Mylar stencil/transfer sheet {found in Quilting Notions}...you may also use contact paper
- Razor or Exacto knife
- Armour Etch etching cream
- Paintbrush
- Tape for securing your design during transfer {optional}

I started with a 5 inch x 5 inch 'A' design from the iNked God font collection. I am slightly obsessed with fonts...slightly.

Start by laying your stencil sheet over the design and secure with tape.

Then, using your knife, cut out the positive space of your design {you may also stencil the inverse by cutting out the negative space}. Be sure to bridge any floating design elements when cutting your stencil. I made sure to create a bridge over the arm of my 'A' so the stencil remained intact {see pic}. Etching can also be done by using contact paper in place of the stencil paper. Cut out your design as described above.

Creating your stencil is a tedious process. Persevere...it is worth it!

Next, position your stencil on your glass and secure well with tape. If using contact paper, remove backing and stick to your glass surface.

Now for the fun part! Using your paintbrush, apply a generous amount of etching cream to your open stencil design. To keep your lines clean, be careful not to lift the stencil as you apply the cream.

Armour Etch recommends waiting 5 minutes before removing the cream. I waited a full 15 minutes to ensure a darker etch.

Once your timer dings, carefully remove your stencil. Wipe away the excess etching cream and rinse with water.

That's it! You're done. Take a bow! Stand back and admire your unique etched glass creation!

I hope you have been inspired to give etching a try!!