I've been working at a small scale with my etching and painting of glasses but is bigger better? My husband has been bugging me to do a large scale project to show off my talents, so I picked up a 24"x36" oak framed mirror to etch. He found an image he wanted me to use that he believes will be generic enough that many people will like it in hopes to sell it.
I find a few things wrong with his thinking. First, I typically like to make to order (that way I'm not wasting my time and resources on something that only I or he likes). Second, this is a big beautiful mirror and is very expensive. If I mess up I'm out a whole lot of time and money. Third, oh who needs a third? Reasons one and two are a big enough risk for me.
Risk is good though, right? If you never get out of your comfort zone, you will never grow. This could expand my business and help me earn more income for my family. The process is long and expensive but I will be moving forward. I hope to have photos up soon with step-by-step instructions.
Thursday, June 13, 2013
Monday, April 22, 2013
Hard to stay on track when noone is following me.
Hey I have realized I haven't posted in a LONG while but then I thought, what's the point, no one is following me. That's a terrible way to think and I'm sorry. I've been really busy subbing, painting and etching glasses. I'm going to post again soon. It will be another how to post so enjoy. ;)
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
How to Etch Glass: Step-by-step process
Hey everyone, here is a step-by-step tutorial with pictures on how to etch a glass and make it look really good!
First there are some items that you will need to have. (Not pictured scotch tape and the font I used.)
You will need a clean glass, masking tape, scotch tape, x-acto knife, old brush or sponge brush, armour etch cream (you can find at most hobby stores, Walmart has it online too) and an image or font style that you would like to use.
STEP 1. Choose a font style and size that you would like on your glass. Make sure it's big enough to look nice on the size glass you chose. Also if it's more of a delicate font you might consider BOLDing it. For my glasses I make the words about 3 inches long. Too much bigger and it gets distorted around the glass (then you need to mess with the curve of the font so it looks straight on your glass). Too small and you will want to pull your hair out when cutting out the letters! Once I like the font I chose for a project and the size is right I print it out and cut it to size. (I used Microsoft Word font style Vivaldi size 72 BOLD for this project.)
First there are some items that you will need to have. (Not pictured scotch tape and the font I used.)
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| Only one x-acto knife is needed, I just showed more than one. |
STEP 1. Choose a font style and size that you would like on your glass. Make sure it's big enough to look nice on the size glass you chose. Also if it's more of a delicate font you might consider BOLDing it. For my glasses I make the words about 3 inches long. Too much bigger and it gets distorted around the glass (then you need to mess with the curve of the font so it looks straight on your glass). Too small and you will want to pull your hair out when cutting out the letters! Once I like the font I chose for a project and the size is right I print it out and cut it to size. (I used Microsoft Word font style Vivaldi size 72 BOLD for this project.)
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| I cut the extra paper off leaving just what I needed for this project. |
STEP 2. On a clean glass, tape 2 layers of masking tape (I use painters tape) where you want the image or font to be located. You may want to tape the whole glass or a larger area than I did when you're first starting. (The etching cream can be runny and it will etch the glass where it touches, so be careful. More on that part in a bit.)
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| Place the masking tape where you want the image to be. Make sure your glass is clean!!! |
STEP 3. Using clear tape, tape the font into place, making sure that it's straight. I usually tape the four edges on trying not to overlap the letters too much. The more tape you have on the more pressure you will need when cutting out the letters.
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| Tape the font to the masking tape, making sure it's straight. |
STEP 4. Using your x-acto knife, begin carefully cutting out the letters. You want to remove what you want to etch. So if you want the words to be etched you must cut out the positive space and leave the negative space. (The positive space is the black and the negative space is the white.)
STEP 5. Finish cutting out your letters and removing the tape. Leave the tape of the negative/background space. You will be left with all the tape except the letters. Here are a few images I took along the way.
IMPORTANT STEP!!!!STEP 6. Press the tape firmly on the glass. Make sure to carefully go around each letter to ensure a secure adhesion. If the tape is not secure you might end up with bleeding around your letters.
STEP 7. Using the sponge brush apply the etching cream. Apply liberally and then carefully remove the excess so it doesn't run down off the tape. Make sure it's all covered evenly. Leave it on for 5 minutes.
STEP 8. Rinse your glass under warm water to remove the etching cream. Remove the tape and wash the glass with warm soapy water. Rinse and dry.
STEP 9. Enjoy your beautiful professional looking glass!
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| As you can see it looks like I'm cutting out the negative space... don't worry I'm cutting out the letters and leaving the negative or background space...you will see it more clearly soon.
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STEP 5. Finish cutting out your letters and removing the tape. Leave the tape of the negative/background space. You will be left with all the tape except the letters. Here are a few images I took along the way.
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| All letters but the "d" & "s" are removed. |
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| The "f" is removed. I should have put a bright paper in the glass so you could see more clearly. |
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| This is what it should look like before the etching cream is added. |
STEP 7. Using the sponge brush apply the etching cream. Apply liberally and then carefully remove the excess so it doesn't run down off the tape. Make sure it's all covered evenly. Leave it on for 5 minutes.
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| Apply etching cream liberally but be careful! You might want to wear rubber gloves if you are one to get messy. Safety first! |
STEP 8. Rinse your glass under warm water to remove the etching cream. Remove the tape and wash the glass with warm soapy water. Rinse and dry.
STEP 9. Enjoy your beautiful professional looking glass!
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| Feel free to add some extra touches with enamel paints. |
Saturday, February 23, 2013
365 Days To Be Creative
Recently my husband and I went out for lunch. He had some time to kill before he had to leave for work so I suggested we go next door to Barnes & Noble to look around. We both looked at each other and asked... ok, so what do you want to look for?
First thing to catch my eye were books that our oldest son would like, but my husband reminded me that he has a kindle so why buy him a book. Then, since we were still at the front of the store I suggested we look at the craft section. I wanted to find a book that had multiple craft ideas but I kept finding books that were for one medium, like knitting or origami. For a split second I thought I should write a book compiling things that I would want to find in a book... that quickly passed, as I thought, what do I know about writing a book? I mean I don't even have any followers for this blog. Finally my eyes gazed upon a book called 365 A Daily Creativity Journal: Make Something Every Day and Change Your Life! By:Noah Scalin. I picked it up and opened it.
It still never seizes to amaze me how such a small thing can get my mind thinking of numerous ideas. I thought of many ways to use this book, from using it myself, to daily sketchbook ideas, to creating a whole class around the concept of this book.
Just to give you an idea of what this book is about, it starts off suggesting you pick a subject matter or medium to use for the entire 365 days of this journey. It also suggests documenting your work, sharing your work and moving the finish line. This book really has no rules but suggest being creative and creating something everyday for a whole year, and as the title claims, it will change your life!
So, while I do plan on using this book in the many ways I thought of when first opening it in the bookstore, I decided to think about either a subject or a medium to use on my journey. While choosing a subject matter could lead to many more creative project outcomes, I've decided to choose a medium. I want to use clay and become a master both hand building and on the potters wheel. (It also gives me an excuse to use the wheel I bought years back and used only a handful of times.)
*My mind is going crazy again... what if I get bored with the clay... maybe a subject matter would be a better choice... I love my kids, maybe they should be my subject matter? I need to make up my mind ... matter or medium??? Err I hate the self-doubt I give myself. End Tangent. ;)
No matter what I decide if I change my mind it's ok. I think I'll try to remember to focus my daily projects around teaching art to whoever wants to learn. So go out and grab the book and let us take this journey together!
Day 1: The first step is the hardest, so start small today and make something that fits in the palm of your hand using only materials in your immediate environment.
I've always wanted to make a clay whistle so that's going to be my DAY 1 project. Good luck with yours!
First thing to catch my eye were books that our oldest son would like, but my husband reminded me that he has a kindle so why buy him a book. Then, since we were still at the front of the store I suggested we look at the craft section. I wanted to find a book that had multiple craft ideas but I kept finding books that were for one medium, like knitting or origami. For a split second I thought I should write a book compiling things that I would want to find in a book... that quickly passed, as I thought, what do I know about writing a book? I mean I don't even have any followers for this blog. Finally my eyes gazed upon a book called 365 A Daily Creativity Journal: Make Something Every Day and Change Your Life! By:Noah Scalin. I picked it up and opened it.
It still never seizes to amaze me how such a small thing can get my mind thinking of numerous ideas. I thought of many ways to use this book, from using it myself, to daily sketchbook ideas, to creating a whole class around the concept of this book.
Just to give you an idea of what this book is about, it starts off suggesting you pick a subject matter or medium to use for the entire 365 days of this journey. It also suggests documenting your work, sharing your work and moving the finish line. This book really has no rules but suggest being creative and creating something everyday for a whole year, and as the title claims, it will change your life!
So, while I do plan on using this book in the many ways I thought of when first opening it in the bookstore, I decided to think about either a subject or a medium to use on my journey. While choosing a subject matter could lead to many more creative project outcomes, I've decided to choose a medium. I want to use clay and become a master both hand building and on the potters wheel. (It also gives me an excuse to use the wheel I bought years back and used only a handful of times.)
*My mind is going crazy again... what if I get bored with the clay... maybe a subject matter would be a better choice... I love my kids, maybe they should be my subject matter? I need to make up my mind ... matter or medium??? Err I hate the self-doubt I give myself. End Tangent. ;)
No matter what I decide if I change my mind it's ok. I think I'll try to remember to focus my daily projects around teaching art to whoever wants to learn. So go out and grab the book and let us take this journey together!
Day 1: The first step is the hardest, so start small today and make something that fits in the palm of your hand using only materials in your immediate environment.
I've always wanted to make a clay whistle so that's going to be my DAY 1 project. Good luck with yours!
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Inspiration is everywhere!
Inspiration can come when you least expect it, so expect it. I had the most creative day yesterday, the ideas just kept coming. Everywhere I looked I saw a potential project. I saw an object and thought of a creative use for it. My one mistake... I didn't write them down as I thought of them. (Maybe I should keep a voice recorder with me.) I thought they were such good ideas they would stick in my memory without a problem... I was wrong. While I can still recall a couple ideas, I can't remember all of them.
My advise, get it down, get it out do whatever it takes so that you can recall the ideas once you have time to get back to them. Be prepared!
I'm going to try to remember to carry my camera everywhere I go too. When I see something that inspires me I can take a picture, jot down a few notes and hopefully recall my creativity when re-inspired by the photo image.
Another beautiful point of inspiration came when I was driving to my Emergency Medical Responder class. The sunset was breathtaking. Pinks, purples, oranges so vibrant, so crisp that the image is still in my head. What a beautiful painting it would make. Wish I had my camera though. I'm not good at putting things down from my head, I start to lose details. Another reason to expect the unexpected!
My advise, get it down, get it out do whatever it takes so that you can recall the ideas once you have time to get back to them. Be prepared!
I'm going to try to remember to carry my camera everywhere I go too. When I see something that inspires me I can take a picture, jot down a few notes and hopefully recall my creativity when re-inspired by the photo image.
Some of my creativity yesterday came from these two items. My cousin asked me to make the clock with a zebra print... the possibilities are endless. I thought of using paint and fabric, old newspapers anything really. The numbers could be taped on with some fun patterned duct tape. I could use a piece of glass and etch the words and numbers, or use frosted glass and the words and numbers could be in other mediums.
Another beautiful point of inspiration came when I was driving to my Emergency Medical Responder class. The sunset was breathtaking. Pinks, purples, oranges so vibrant, so crisp that the image is still in my head. What a beautiful painting it would make. Wish I had my camera though. I'm not good at putting things down from my head, I start to lose details. Another reason to expect the unexpected!
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Art With Mr. E: smarthistory
I like exploring Art With Mr. E. He has a great blog. ;)
Art With Mr. E: smarthistory: http://smarthistory.khanacademy.org/ My student teacher just told me about this site....I'm so excited to explore it!!!!! There is s...
Art With Mr. E: smarthistory: http://smarthistory.khanacademy.org/ My student teacher just told me about this site....I'm so excited to explore it!!!!! There is s...
A Glass of Art & More
Time to upload some more pictures from my home business. Hope you all enjoy looking at them. I paint with enamels, bake them at 350 degrees for 30 minutes and then they are dishwasher safe. Although the images I'm going to upload probably won't end up in your dishwasher. ;)
Check out my Facebook Page: A Glass of Art & More
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