How To Etch Glass (so simple)
How to etch glass…it’s so simple (and quick too!) Plus adds so much to your project. Hope you give it a try!
Hello beautiful friends!
Today I’m sharing one more from my most recent haul which means I only have ONE more left to share (that scroll-y mirror) before I get to the table and chairs. Yippee!
I hope to work on that this week. BUT I also need to get painting in our master bedroom so we can wrap that project up. Did you see my Instagram stories this weekend? I shared a little snippet of our progress on my husband’s built-in.
So this week not only am I sharing what I did to the little mirrored box I’m also sharing how I etched the glass.
How To Etch Glass (so simple and so fun!)
Here is how it started…
Y’all know I’m a sucker for boxes like this. I have done a bunch here on the blog.
Here are a few:
This little box was in such great shape that I didn’t really have to do a thing with it.
This inside was perfect…
And the outside wood was perfect too.
I considered painting it and staining it a darker color…but I sort of like the weathered look of the wood as-is so I decided to just use a little white wax on it instead.
I love how it gave it a similar look to the bleached wood desk I did recently.
If you missed that, you can see it, here.
Here are the products I used for this makeover.
MATERIALS LIST
- White Wax
- Glass Etching Cream
- Silhouette Cameo
- Vinyl
- Transfer Tape
- Small Brush To Apply Etching Cream
I wanted to snazz up the glass so I created these two graphics and cut them out with my Silhouette Cameo to make a “stencil”.
(want to know how to import your own designs into your Silhouette? Check out this post/video, here)
Want the graphics I made for this project??
If you are already a subscriber, you can click here, enter your password (it can be found near the top of all my emails to you), and download this or any other graphic I’ve created over the years. (over 100!)
If you aren’t yet a subscriber, you can click here or the pink box below to become one to gain access.
Once the design was cut out on my Silhouette, I pulled the letters out to create a stencil.
Then I attached them to the mirrors using transfer tape. (all linked above in the gray box)
Pressing down to make sure there are no gaps or air bubbles around the letter edges.
Then I applied the glass etch cream with a small artist’s paint brush.
You want to make sure you apply enough over the glass area. It shouldn’t be thin or see-through.
Make it thick enough that you cannot see through it.
I let it sit for 5 minutes and then wiped it away carefully with a paper towel.
Once I was sure I had most of it removed, I used a damp paper towel to remove as much as I could before removing the vinyl stencil.
Then I removed the stencil and wiped again…done!
If you are using a regular stencil, I would recommend spraying the back with a repositionable adhesive. You don’t want any gaps and really want the stencil edges to be nice and crisp.
For the white wax, I simply wiped it on all over the wood and metal clasp, letting it settle into the crevices and such.
I love the look the white wax gave it.
After that sat for a day, I gently buffed it with a soft cloth and this one was done!
OH! Except for these little glass feet.
I actually only have it sitting on the feet. (knobs) Sadly, I only had 3 matching so didn’t want to attach them until I had all four.
And I think this one might be my next giveaway. It’s been WAY too long since I’ve done one (well, May but it’s been a bit longer since I’ve given away one of my makeovers here on the blog).
Look for it next week…I think that is when I will host the giveaway. :) (I might wait to see who wins because maybe they might like it better without the “feet”!)
I actually have several things I’ve done on the blog recently that I want to give away here. I might do an Instagram only giveaway too, just for fun. Be sure to follow along with me over there so you won’t miss it! ;)
PIN it to save it!
If you missed any of the thrifty haul #3 makeovers, you can see them all here:
- Bleached Wood Desk Makeover
- Painted Ceramic Vase Makeover
- Navy Blue Coffee Table Makeover
- Thrifted Basket Makeover Ideas
- Etched Glass Whitewashed Box(you are here!)
- Oak Table & Chairs
Oh, and take a look through the last couple of months of crafty makeovers and tell me which ones you’d like to see me giveaway! >>> here
I’ll be back on Thursday with the mirror!
xo
Hi Nancy!! I LOVE it. I have seen this etching glass stuff at Michaels and I always wondered how that worked. That is amazing. Hmm. I love the little glass feet. That was the first thing I noticed. Where did you get those? I have been looking for something like that but I couldn’t find anything at Hobby Lobby. Thank you for sharing how to use the etching cream!!
Thanks so much, Cheryl! I am pretty sure I got those at Hobby Lobby but it’s been a few years. I need to get back over there and find some more. I hope they still have them! I think I might have seem some similar ones at The Home Depot before too…but that’s been a little while ago as well. I may check there first. :) xo
Such a cutie and I love the glass feet!
Aw, thanks, Lori! :) xo
Nancy, the white wax looks soooo good on this box! The etching is perfect and the glass knob feet look perfect. Your creativity is amazing!!
Be well, be safe and create on!!
Isn’t that white wax so fun it how it transforms?! Yay for the glass feet…so far they seem to be a winner! Thanks so much, Christina! Stay safe! xoxo
Nancy, the glass feet really took this little box to another level. Very elegant! Love watching what you create out of thrift store items!
Thank you, Nancy! xoxo
Good morning, Nancy
I love this little makeover. It’s so cute and can be used for so many things and in so many places. I love the look the white wax gives and the etching makes this little box so special.
Hi Glenda! I’m so happy you enjoyed it. :) xoxo
Good morning Nancy,
Thank you for sharing this project! I love the etching as well As the glass feet. Do you have a supplier that you recommend for knobs? I am always on the lookout when I out and about.
Enjoy your day!
Lynn
Hi Lynn! Thank you! As far as knobs, no, I really don’t. I pick them up here and there. TJ Maxx and HomeGoods have been having some really nice ones lately. Hobby Lobby always has a great selection too. Even Lowe’s and The Home Depot are coming around with some nicer ones. :) xo
Adorable makeover–well done!
Thank you, Carolyn! :) xo
It’s beautiful! I have some etching cream and a silhouette so I will give this a try.
Oh yes, do!! So much fun and adds a sweet touch to whatever you make! Have fun! xo
This turned out so amazing! I LOVE the feet…I will definitely be stealing that idea using glass knobs!! XOXO
Thanks, Christy!! :) I seem to put feet on everything from boxes to trays to furniture, these days!! Haha Things just don’t feel finished until I do! ;) xo
Love, love this sweet box: the wax, the feet and the perfect sentiment! So inspiring! I need to work on my haul as soon as this heat subsides!
Yes, this heat has been unbearable! And I’m a summer-loving girl but come on already! ;) Have fun with your haul. xo
What a great idea. Thanks for the tutorial. It looks so cute now!
Thanks, Lizzy! :) xo
Your transformations are always the best. I love the glass feet, they make the whole piece look so elegant and different. Great idea on the etching. It really is an easy process to etch glass, I’ve done it a time or two.
thanks so much for sharing your talents with the rest of us.
Aw, thanks so much, Kris! :) xoxo
Love this look it turned out great!! Looking forward to trying the white wax and etching. I like putting feet on things it gives it a different look the box isn’t just sitting there. Love your ideas and look forward to your projects.
Thank you, Linda! I so agree! Feet just make it sometimes, don’t they? :) xoxo
I love the etching! The new password for the Library isn’t working for me :-(
Isn’t it so fun, Susan!! And yes, I am so sorry about that, had a bit of a glitch but it is fixed now! :) xo