Video 1: Inexpensive Glass Items to Etch & Sandcarve

 

 
 
WOW- I didn’t realize I said “COOL” so much. Lol, sorry about that. Hope you can see past that and get some helpful information out of the video. Anyway please leave a comment and click the social media buttons below for future reference & to share it. Thanks!

157 replies on “Video 1: Inexpensive Glass Items to Etch & Sandcarve”

Eric, thank you so much for a great video. I am getting to do some wine glasses this weekend. My question is can I make text like “till death do us part” and their names and dates using a Silouhette. Cameo? Or is their another way to make stencils? I just received the cameo but haven’t opened it yet. Bought it mainly for airbrushing templates. Any advise appreciated. Thanx again.

Thanx Eric, will let yo know how they come out. PS what would be a good substrate for cutting airbrush stencils with my cameo. Also can’t find vinyl locally. Any places you know to get it besides on line? Thanx

I buy my vinyl online, depending where you live some of the online companies you can get your vinyl supplies the next day

Nice job, I have done some cream etching in the past, just received a sandblast cabinet for Christmas. I hope to learn a lot from your information sharing.

Wayne, you definitely can etch the back. The required pressure really can vary based on the thickness of the back paint and how course your grit is. Usually 30 -60 psi will be enough but just start at a lower pressure and work up until it etches quick enough.

40+ years of etching from eye glasses to one of the bars at Dover Downs.

One more recommendation regarding the back of mirrors! DO NOT remove the resist! Can damage the design if the paint & silvering lifts after the sand blasting. Also, I have done quite a few Bar mirrors Mounted in a light box so the design shines thru the mirror.

Just finished watching the video. Good ideas. I haven’t read through all the posts but I did want to suggest that you can find a lot of glass items at local thrift stores, Goodwill, Salvation Army, Hospice Thrift stores, ASPCA Thrift stores. The places to shop are endless. Also, garage sales or church sales. Thanks for posting the video. God bless.

Loved the video. The dark candle in the glass container will be on my “to do” list for christmas gifts. I have also etched glass blocks from Home Depot. You can etch both sides.

Thanks much for sharing,this was very helpful for me always interested in new tricks since I’am new at this.Please keep all your ideas coming I enjoy all your post you do beautiful and interesting work it is so inspiring , again many thanks to you.

Thanks for sharing your ideas, i am very new at etching as i’ve not actually tried it yet, everything is ordered just waiting for delivery, so any helpful hints for true beginners would be much appreciated

If you’re referring to hydrofluoric acid, then they both look great. Acid cream on the other hand is not as professional but I am putting together info. on making them really stand out. Thx for the question

Glad I found this… Love your ideas / Right now all I do is etch on the Redneck Wine Glasses, but when that calms down, I would love get serious with this craft – looking forward to learning and sharing ideas!

Thanx for giving me the brief overview. I’ve not done ANY etchings yet, but want to start soon. For me my first endeavors will be for hobby and fun. I look forward to future videos from you. Maybe someday give us a step by step video progression of a small project.
Thanx again
Keep up the good work !!

Great video Eric. Always coming up with good ideas.
I have started etching on colored 4×4 tiles and painting the area with spray paint as well as blasting mirrors from behind and painting.

I’m having trouble in two areas. 1.) I’m not sure if I’m a member or not. I asks for information and says go to someplace to confirm registration. It just gets me to a standstill. I have no idea of the validity. I’m trying.
2.) The video seems to break-up a little and I’m having trouble concentrating on the video in it’s entirety.
3.)Is there another way to verify my membership? I have no idea where I stand

Yes, you are signed up to the email newsletter so please stay tune to my emails. I will be releasing the other videos by email. If you have a slower internet, press the pause button and wait a few minutes for it to fully stream first. Then press play.

Nicely done. I like that you were thorough, showing not just the items but also where you’ve been able to find them. Each segment or clip wasn’t too long and as a whole the video didn’t feel like it was 10 minutes because of the way it was put together. Your voice was clear and could be easily heard and I appreciated that you were organized about what you were talking about. Very professional. Thanks.

Eric this is so cool…. Its been awhile since Ive really had time to try and concentrate on this. Like they say “To many irons in the fire”. Hopefully now that its cooled down here and outside work has slowed down I can get back on this. I don’t know about anyone else here but you go above and beyond trying to help with any question anyone has. I’m sure that everyone here apperciates everything that you do for us. Thanks for sharing your hobby

Nice video Eric. You are doing a bang-up job in promoting the art of glass etching. I’ve had a lot of success in etching wine glasses, coffee cups, especially the Irish coffee cups which make great gifts. I keep a sharp eye out at thrift shops and pick up any glass items from vases to bowls that can be etched. Thanks for your hard work.

Hi Eric, thanks for the video! Getting to be an expert in cutting stencils–practice makes perect!Took apprx.30 minutes to watch the video due to break-ups–sorry Herb but pressing down on the pause button did not work for me.Regards

Thanks Eric, great ideas, almost as good as the Bengals win today. Pie plates is another thing that I etch on. Also another good place to get cheap glass is at the good will, they have lots of cups and wine glasses for a dollar.

Thank you Eric for a great video. Appreciate you tips and advice regarding the various glass products and techniques. I’ve been practicing on glass mugs purchased from Dollar Tree and have tried etching cream as well as engraving glass with a Dremel tool. Have not tried sand-etching yet. Still need to practice more to improve my skill and quality etchings. Look forward to additional videos.

The information in your first video is useful, as is the pdf file. Will be interested in future information about equipment. I do laser cutting and engraving, but like to do sandblasting, as it cuts deeper than laser engraving.

Eric, Only problem was video breaking up. Still was encouraging to continue. Thanks so much. You’ve kept me more enthusiasthic then when I first thought about etching. But, can you produce a video with actual work being don’t want to loose but so much money ‘experimenting’. Hands on video would be SUPER.
Thanx again

For some reason I just went back and listened to my first tape. Must have been my computer because the second time around my audio was great. Time tp press on. Thanx again

That depends. There are a few different ones I use- some freehand with a brush and others with spray painted both using the mask. If you’re referring to the one in the video its this permanent transparent paint from Vitrea. I can look up the link for you if you’d like. Send me an email if you are interested.

As usual, you’re a gold mine of information and ideas. Thanks ever so much Eric.

Just a reminder, panels for sliding patio doors, shower doors and other tempered glass should not be used for carving and etching should be limited to just enough to give a “solid” appearance. Tempered glass relies on stresses in the glass to cause it to break into smaller, safer pieces. Etching or carving too deep (e.g., over 50,000 of an inch)can cause the glass to shatter during the etch/carve operation or during what, otherwise, would be reasonable use.

Etching limited to just enough to create a solid appearing silhouette should be no problem. If the transition from etched glass to smooth surface catches your finger nail, it may be too deep.

Hi,
Thks for the interesting info. really appreciate it. I have not started etching as yet, awaiting delivery of materials, however I am just wondering how do they paint the glasses with colours, is there a special paint, process?
Thanks agains for the info, well done, keep it up!

Wow! There are so many great ideas for etching or sandcarving glassware. I really appreciate your tips and advice, Eric. Please keep them coming as I plan on trying some of your creative projects. Have already done a little cream etching as well as engraving glass with diamond burrs. Wish to try sand etching next. Have found instructions online to making my own sand-blasting tank out of a plastic storage bin. This helps in keeping costs down. Thanks again.

Eric

How are you doing today sir? I really want to start sandblasting as a hobby and maybe it might turn to some else , but I just retired from the army. I have been doing woodworking for the last 15 years but I really want to try glass art but do not have that much money to blow, and would love to hear for you where do I start?

I’m great. Thanks for asking. You came to the right place. These videos will talk a little bit about it and we also have a membership site. Sandblasting glass can actually compliment woodworking also by making frames. You can even engrave wood with sandblasting also which can make it even more interesting.

Thanks! Awesome information. A lot of those items are commonly used and seen, and I would not have even thought about etching them. Had my head stuck on cups, glasses, mugs and vases only.

Thank you for the first video, but gotta say is just enough to get me really hungry to get started. Need more info. Went looking for a creation cutter and not sure if that is what I need for stencils or what do I or where do I start. I have to say Wow exciting projects!
Thanks!
Marina

I love the info you have here I am a beginner .I have etched in mirrors before but with a dremel . Ive tried etching cream ,,not really my cup of tea so Im going the elcheapo approuch buying my items one at a time like my sand blasting cabinet and my sandblasting air tank is on its way ,I really hope I can learn much more from you specially with the stencils .and great job on the video great info thanks
Jaie

Thank you for sharing your ideas, you seem to me to be the only person honest& informative enough to put your suggestions into facts, that goes along way when you are a sort of novice & a pensioner like my self??? LOL. I will definately be following your site from now on. Really, I thought that you could etch onto any sort of glass, well that just shows you ah! I will have to double think my projects now won’t I?? Well Eric many thanks again for sharing Regards Ree from “Down Under, Aussy”

That is great in some of the ideas in buying things for etching on. I am always looking for things to etch on that are not that expensive to do I etched my own wine bottles for our wedding that I gave to everyone that was there I enjoyed that I’m really. Looking forward in seeing more great ideas and information

Eric, I just recently, as recent I mean in the last week, decided to try etching and after hours of being online I have come across your site. I LOVED IT!! Thank you as there was so much out there that it was all starting to run together and become overwhelming. I really enjoyed the video and look forward to spending more time on your site. Thanks for all the great information and for keeping me motivated!

thank you for the video and the information, im new to etching but just bought a rotary multi tool so any info is appreciated. Video and information are clear, interesting and to the point thanks again looking forward to the next one

Ótimas ideias Eric Robert vou copiar algumas ideias suas no mês de abril vou comprar um gabinete de jateamento e o compressor no mês de junho quando estiver com o equipamento funcionando vou postar as fotos ,você poderia vender as sua video aulas em dvd boa noite.

been doing some acid etching, and want to do some sandblasting. I’m now living in the Philippines, where equipment is expensive, so will look at shipping small portable blaster in

Thank you, gave me some more idea’s. I have also found that olive oil bottle, or any small glass bottles make nice little humming bird feeders, and a nice touch is the etchings.

Thank you. Lots of good ideas. I work with the drill method and am now wanting to learn new techniques. Also,in addition to the glass you suggested,I also engrave glass plates.

Great ideas, Eric! I like to make homemade chocolate syrup and herbal vinegars for gifts. I save glass bottles with screw lids to use. This will allow a whole new presentation option! Looking forward to getting more ideas from you. Thanks so much!

I just got my disability and am looking to get into the acid etching. I would like more information about it so I can make some extra cash. all of the ideas are great but I think the acid etching would be better for me to begin with

You must be busy etching anything you can get your hands on. 🙂 Great tutorials and where to buy inexpensive items is a bonus. I just joined your newsletter and look forward to looking around at what you have to say. I’ve been etching for over 10 years now,but have only been using the Armor Etch cream. I’ve also taken the backs off of mirrors, pain in the ass using a razor blade and/or scratch board blade. Looking forward to more tips and tricks from ya. Bless you!

Hi Eric,
I like your videos .Thanks. They are very informative even though they’re made for US residents but I still can benefit from it all the same. I would like to know more bout the stencils.What are they called. Do they have a general name or a commercial name? Because I get confuser with all the variety of names I found on the net.I wanted to order but I’m not sure how to order them. I live in Ethiopia,so you can guess to but from US is going to be a bit more expensive than like buying from Dubai.Could you please clarify this matter for me. Thanks Again
Zelalem

A very nice video. Gives me hopes of being able to use these techniques. Was told contact paper makes a good stencil. Any comments? Also I just bought a sand blaster and wondered why type of media you use to etch or engrave glass?

Thank you for your video.

I wish to have a try at glass etching, although I am just about to have a try at etching with the cream, I am interested in sand blasting, where would i get the right sort of equipment for sand blasting, what sort of pressure would I look for, and if you have any links for equipment I would look into, this would be very helpful to me, I am located in the UK.

Kind regards

Dave

New Member here and i just wanted to say thanks for the great information i do work now on glass with a dremel, never used creams looking forward to some new ideas ” This is a great site…

One quick question. I purchased a couple of ceramic coffee mugs and plan to etch them. After etching is it customary to seal the etched areas? Appreciate any and all help.

SQ

Good start for me, NOW, to find the proper equipment, are there any lightly used system out there? I have found several site online just haven’t decided which direction to go in

Etched Pyrex casserole dishes make excellent wedding gifts because everyone loves a personalized gift and there is never any doubt which dish at the potluck is yours. Some Pyrex won’t etch with the cream so I have just made the transistor to an air eraser. I look for casserole dishes at places like Big Lots since they are usually cheaper there. I enjoyed your video and look forward to the next one. While I have been etching with cream for quite a while, the air erasing is new to me and I will take all the help I can get.

Nice work on the video.
At a trade show last fall, one of the demonstrators used translucent spray paint in fall colors to add multiple shades to an etched leaf. He mentioned the paint can be found at stores selling car paint.

Hi Eric

I am looking for a stencil with the word

WARNING NO BALL GAMES
Please inform me were can i get one or can any one send me will pay the cost
need to put this on a spray this on a metal cabinet
Email :

Did my first etch on a glass from the$.99store.made a Starburst from contact paper.I just love what ideas you have .I found you on pent rest can’t wait to learn more.

Thank you Eric, lots of good info. I pinned you to my board and look forward to more video’s. I am new at this glass etching process but am having a blast giving gifts to my friends. Thank you for sharing your knowledge

Thank you Eric! I am so glad to find your site with so many helpful tips on etching glass. Your instructions seem straightforward and simple to understand. I am anxious to try them out.

I am so ready to get started on a hobby and I really like this idea. I am seriously interested in painted etching. Thanks so much for the time you took in helping me move forward.

Thank you for the information. I am just looking for information about glass etching and this information was very helpful. I purchased several items at my local Dollar Tree and can’t wait for my Dremel to arrive tomorrow. Keep up the great work.

Hi Eric
Thanks for the great ideas as far as items to do some glass etching on. I didn’t read all the other comments, but clear coffee mugs would also be great to do some personalized glass etching on. Now if I need to find some motivation to get started.

Thank you for all the good info….I’m getting ready for my 1st project and I’m really excited to try it…can’t wait until the next video

Lived in Alaska and some people were moving to the lower 48 and they had all the stuff for stained glass so we picked it up. Started to think up some gifts for the grandkids and was going to scrape off the back of a mirror was a pain . Asked Siri she sent me to you and will start to incorporate this with my other hobbies. Looking forward to the other videos and talking to you. Hope everyone a great night .

Thank you very much, Eric. Just now getting interested in etching and like your presentation manner and delivery. The content is super. Please advise how I can get started from “scratch”…pun intended 🤑.

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