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| Glass etching is a craft that was previously available only to professionals and skilled artisans, but it is now accessible to the general crafter, thanks to the formulation of etching cream. A relative newcomer to the craft world, etching cream is a fast and inexpensive way to create elegant designs on glass. And with just a little know-how and the right supplies, you can make beautiful, personalized etched glass pieces that are perfect for gift giving and home decorating. basic materials • glass or mirrored surface • etching cream • etch bath • squeegee • rubber gloves • safety goggles • masking tape • glass cleaner spray • lint-free paper towel or cloth planning & design Etching cream contains hydrofluoric acid that "eats" away the surface of the glass and mirrored surfaces. The etched area gains a frosted look. By exposing only certain areas of the glass, you can create a design or pattern. One way to make an etched design is to apply the etching cream to the cutout portion of an adhesive stencil. You can also create a reverse-etched design by affixing shapes to a glass surface and then etching the area around it. You can use both techniques separately, or combine them. variations Etching can be combined with glass painting for additional effect. Or you may want to start with colored glass in your project. For dimension, embellish your surface with glass marbles or beads, using E6000 glue. safety issues • As the active ingredient of etching cream is hydrofluoric acid, you'll want to take the necessary precautions when using it. Always wear a long-sleeved shirt, rubber gloves and goggles to keep your skin and eyes covered. If any of the etching cream should come in contact with your skin or eyes, rinse the affected area immediately with water. • Work in a well-ventilated room where the temperature is between 70Fand 80F degrees. tips • Design unique stencils that will adhere nicely to glass. Using a paper punch, punch a series of designs in self-adhesive vinyl. For a reverse etched look, arrange and apply the cutouts to the glass. • Before applying the etching cream, consider the type of glass surface you're etching. The length of time the etching cream needs to set depends in part on the amount of silica and lead in a particular piece of glass. For example, a window pane takes longer to etch, approximately 10 minutes, than do wine goblets, mugs or vases, which take about three to five minutes to etch. • If you rinse off the etching cream and there are streaks or gaps in the glass, dry the surface with a lint-free cloth, place the stencil in the original spot and reapply the cream. about the author Rebecca Churilla resides in West Chester, Pennsylvania. As well as designing crafts, she enjoys rescuing and restoring old furniture. |
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