Hello fellow creators! It’s another beautiful day to craft something amazing together. I’m Mary, and today I’m showing you how I took a simple $5 glass vase from my local dollar store and turned it into something elegant and custom using just painter’s tape and Armour etching cream. This project is super easy, affordable, and fully customizable. I just know you’re going to love it! So grab all your stuff & let’s get crafty!
Materials & Tools
For this project, you’ll need just one material—a 9.5-inch glass vase, or any glass item you are interested in adding an etched design to. The rest are tools to help bring your design to life.
Here’s what you need to gather:
- Paper towels
- Heat gun
- Painter’s tape
- Rubbing alcohol
- Armour etching cream
- Scraper
- Paintbrush
- Wood stir stick
- Face mask
- Safety glasses
Prepping the Glass
Let’s get started! First, clean the vase with rubbing alcohol to remove any dust, fingerprints, or oils. This will help the painter’s tape stick better. Since we’re using painter’s tape for the design instead of a stencil, you can get creative with your pattern. I went with two parallel squiggly lines that wrap around the vase. Don’t be shy to adjust the tape until you’re happy with your pattern.
Pro tip: Use your heat gun to activate the adhesive and make sure the tape sticks firmly. You might want to use a scraper or some other tool to protect your fingertips but hey, it’s okay to warm your fingers a bit—it’s part of the fun, right?
Applying the Armour Etching Cream
Once the tape is securely on, it’s time to bring out the star of the show—Armour etching cream! But before we dive in, here’s a tip I learned the hard way: stir that cream like you’re churning butter! You need a thick, paste-like consistency. Think Elmer’s glue, but more dramatic.
Now apply a super thick layer of the etching cream on the exposed glass. It may feel excessive, but trust me, you need it. Let it sit for 3-4 minutes (I might leave it on a little longer on my next etching project). Watch the video below to see how thick I applied the etching cream for the best results:
Rinsing & Repeating
After the cream has set, rinse it off under lukewarm water or you can scrape the excess back into the bottle first, & then rinse off the rest using lukewarm water. Make sure to keep your safety gear on the whole time, the fumes from this etching cream are super stinky. Peel off the painter’s tape & wipe down your glass surface to have a good look at your freshly etched glass! Cool right? Let’s go ahead & do that again until we’ve completed the pattern we’re shooting for.
You’ll repeat the same steps for the second etched line. This time, make sure to align the tape based on how much of a gap you want between the lines. It may take a little finessing, but you’ll get there, just take your time. Once again, heat the tape to make sure it sticks well, then stir the etching cream, and apply a thick layer to the new section of your glass object. I have to admit I really struggled getting that second line into just the right spot. Watch the video below for a visual of how that went for me:
The Grand Reveal!
We are in the homestretch now! Rinse everything off, peel off the last bit of painter’s tape, then dry it really well, and wipe the entire vase with rubbing alcohol for that final shine.
Once you’re done, fill your vase with water and fresh flowers for an elegant, uplifting addition to your home decor.
Final Thoughts
And that’s it—your custom etched vase is complete! This technique is so easy and versatile, you can use painter’s tape to create any design you want. I’m thrilled with how mine turned out—it’s simple, elegant, and perfect for my dining table.
If you’re looking for more DIY inspiration, check out my other glass etching projects or dive into my candle making, wreath making, and dot painting tutorials on YouTube. You’ll find tons of fun ideas to get crafty with! So don’t forget to subscribe, so that we can continue to get crafty together! Toodleloo!
