How to Create Your Own Etched Glass Vase
An inexpensive glass vase can be transformed into a work of art through a simple process called glass etching. Glass etching is a fun, cheap, and simple project for beginning artists and crafters to do. With adult supervision, children can even give it a try. By following a few simple steps, you can have a beautiful etched glass vase to place upon your mantelpiece.
First, collect the supplies you will need. Purchase or locate a glass vase with an opening large enough for you to fit your entire hand inside comfortably. Next, go to your local home and garden or craft store and purchase etching cream, liquid and/or etching gel, an applicator bottle and tip for the etching solution, and a simple rubber stamp or stencil in a design you like that you can also trace easily. Craft stores often sell inexpensive etching kits that contain everything you need and can help you get started.
Second, decide whether you want to create a positive image or a negative image on your vase. A positive image is etched onto the vase itself, while a negative image appears when the entire vase has been etched, leaving only the design itself untouched. A negative image requires the use of a plastic container that can comfortably hold the entire vase.
If you decide to create a positive image, first wash your vase in soap and water and dry it with a soft cloth. Then decide what design you want, and trace or stamp it onto a piece of paper. Cut the paper out, and tape it to the inside of the vase. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for mixing the etching cream and placing it in the applicator bottle. Finally, trace the design with the etching cream, wait fifteen minutes, and wash off.
If you decide to create a negative image, place the vase in the plastic container and fill the container with water until it reaches the top of the vase. Remove the vase and mark the water level in the container. Next, tape the design inside the vase as previously described, but use etch resistant gel to trace the design on the outside of the vase or use adhesives to create a water-proof design. Dissolve the etching cream in the water-filled container, and submerge the vase in the water by filling the vase with a little bit of liquid or other material to weigh it down. Wait fifteen minutes and rinse.
As a word of caution, don't etch a glass vase on ceramic tile or rinse etching cream off into a ceramic basin because ceramic can not resist the etching solution. In addition, Pyrex glass and painted glass are etch-resistant.