We took a plunge and decided to learn something new, the art and skill of glass etching! 

We decided to to do this because we wanted to create beautiful prizes for our Spring Fest Baking Contest winners as well as having some content for the Crafting Corner section of our blog! We hope our crafting corner will inspire our readers to have the courage to try something new, laugh at our blunders, and create beautiful things with us! 

Follow along as we learn by reading this tutorial on Etching! We have endeavored to take helpful pictures, list our supplies used, create a step-by-step instructions, and link YouTube video tutorials that we watched for additional learning opportunities. 

Supply List:

• Gloves
• Tape or something to stabilize your glassware 
• Dry erase marker
• A smoothing scraper
• Paint Brushes to apply the Etching Cream
• Armour Etch
• Rubbing Alcohol to clean your glassware
• Coffee Filters and Paper towels to clean and dry your glassware (also for project cleanup)
• a mirrored permanent vinyl stencil cut out

Step-By-Step Instructions:

• First, clean and secure your glassware. Tape down the glassware that you are planning to etch. (If you have a round object such as a wineglass use 2 lint rollers. Peel back the cover and stick them to the table and the drinking glass on either side to hold it in place during the etching process.) Clean the glass ware by applying rubbing alcohol to  a coffee filter or paper towel then rubbing it on the area that you plan to etch and the surrounding areas as well. Dry the glass with another coffee filter (they leave behind less lint than a paper towel.) 
• Next, measure and apply your vinyl. Take time to measure your glassware to center your vinyl design. You may use a dry erase marker to make lines as a guide. Apply your vinyl stencil from the center outward. You can do this by bringing two edges of the non-sticky side of your vinyl together hot-dog style (DO NOT CREASE). Bring the rounded sticky side of the vinyl to the glassware as straight as possible following your guides. Let one side fall and use the scraper to smooth out any bubbles on that side and repeat the process with the opposite side. Make sure the vinyl is as smooth as possible and secured to the glass, especially around the cutouts for the etching cream. Remove your transfer tape.
• Put on protective gloves and safety glasses. Before you begin applying the etching cream make sure you have taken precaution to protect you skin and eyes by putting on gloves, protective eyewear, and an apron if desired to protect your clothing. These are strong chemicals which need to be respected while using them. 
• Apply the Etching Cream! Now for the most exciting part! You can begin applying the Armour Etch etching cream to the glass that is showing through your stencil with a paint brush of your choice. You want to direct your brush strokes in every direction to ensure that the cream is applied to every crevice. Leave a thick layer of etching cream on for at least 5 minutes. 
• Wash the etching cream off and enjoy your newly etched glassware! At this point, you may begin preserving as much of the etching cream as possible. Do this by using your paint brush to scoop as much cream off the glassware as you can. Then deposit it back in the jar. Once you have done this to your satisfaction, wash the glassware with dish liquid and water, then dry it as usual. Admire your handy work.

Bookmobile Schedule:

May 15th – May 19th: 

Final visits to Edmonson County Elementary Schools

May 22nd – 26th 

• Monday: Active Day
• Tuesday: Home Stops: 728 & Forks, Brier Creek, Sweeden & Lindseyville
• Wednesday: Mobile Outreach: Edmonson Nursing Home Patients & Little Treasures | Little Library Restocks: Byrd Center Box
• Thursday: Home Stops: Bee Springs & Brownsville Apartments | Mobile Outreach: Daycares | Little Library Restocks: Bee Spring Post Office box 
• Friday: Home Stops: Mammoth Cave, HWY 70, Pig & Rocky Hill | Little Library Restocks: Rocky Hill Post Office box & Mammoth Cave Lodge box