Valentine’s DIY: Glass etching

Happy Valentine’s Day! As Jared and I swim out (a.k.a. eat our way out) from under our sea of sugar and chocolate, I thought I’d share some festive DIYing to give my much-loved oven a bit of a respite. I put this together a while ago as a Valentine’s DIY for the latest issue of Columbia Home, but depending on your choice phraseology, it could probably wiggle it’s way into your place any time of year.

The supply list for this project isn’t too complicated: In addition to the glass jar, candy dish or whatever other glass you’re etching (we snagged our cookie jar from Target for about $8), you’ll need glass-etching cream (Armour Etch is a good option), a small paint brush, contact paper, painter’s tape, a craft knife, scissors and printed text for your stencil.

So start with your plain Jane, in-need-of-some-love, un-etched jar. Use a glass cleaner to make sure your surface is clean.

Print out your choice phrase in whatever size and font you like, but keep in mind that certain fonts (particularly sans serif fonts) are going to be easier to cut out than the ones with fancy smancy loops. We used Helvetica Bold in size 85.

Layer the printed text over contact paper, and place on cutting mat or cutting board. Use painter’s tape to hold firmly in place.

Use the craft knife to cut out the printed letters. Be sure to cut all the way through the paper guide and contact paper. Once all the letters are cut out, you’ll be left with your stencil. [Note: I actually had to etch my jar twice because the etching cream leaked beneath the contact paper and made for sloppy-looking letters. So on my second try, instead of cutting the stencil out of contact paper, I cut it directly out of a thick piece of painter’s tape, which I could then stick directly to the jar without leaving any room for air bubbles. My conclusion? On a flat surface, the contact paper is a great way to go because it’s a much more solid structure. On a rounded surface, however, the painter’s tape is a lot more flexible.]

Once the stencil is cut out, place on the jar wherever you want the etched words to appear, and then use painter’s tape to hold firmly in place. All seams should be pressed down tightly to the glass, or the etching cream will seep through and create uneven lines.

Apply a heavy coat of etching cream to stenciled area. Brush right to left, up and down, and leave behind a thick layer. Allow cream to set on glass for about five minutes. Then wash off completely with water. Clean jar again with glass cleaner. Fin!

Have you done any crafty Valentine’s projects this year? Do you rock any heart decorations around your house? And while we’re on the subject of Valentine’s Day, what kinds of cards do you usually give? Store-bought? Homemade? Love, love, love.

XO,
Katrina