| Do you ever look at your glassware and wish you | | | | with masking tape to protect it - you don't want |
| could make it different, more individual, more | | | | smears on your masterpiece! |
| YOU? Well, with the huge range of exciting glass | | | | 3. Etch your glass. |
| etching stencils available you can, and what's | | | | This is your dressing up moment - put on your |
| more, it's a cinch and takes less than 30 minutes! | | | | safety goggles and disposable gloves, shake the |
| You can even design your own stencils and | | | | etching creme and apply a very thick coating to |
| create different textures if you're feeling ultra | | | | the exposed glass with the foam brush. It's |
| artistic! | | | | important that it's an even thickness, and that |
| So - what do you have to do to create these | | | | you've covered all the corners and edges. Leave |
| permanent, unique works of glass art? | | | | for 15 minutes, but stay around! The etching |
| 1. Gather your materials together. | | | | creme is a caustic substance and is dangerous to |
| You need:glass etching creme,latex/vinyl | | | | leave unattended. |
| gloves,sponge/foam brush,squeegee (desirable but | | | | 4. Clean up. |
| not essential),glass etching stencils,paper | | | | Wipe the excess etching creme off with paper |
| towels,water,safety glasses,washing up liquid,craft | | | | towels, making sure you have a plastic bag to tie |
| knife,plastic carrier bag,measuring tape and | | | | them into before throwing them away. Wash the |
| masking tape. | | | | glass in warm water and washing up liquid. It's |
| 2. Clean your glass and place the stencil. | | | | now safe to undress! Off with the goggles and |
| Thoroughly clean and dry your glass - either with | | | | gloves. |
| detergent and water or window cleaner. Carefully | | | | 5. Remove the stencil. |
| remove the backing paper from the stencil and | | | | Peel the stencil off the glass. It will come off in |
| apply it - adhesive side down - to the glass. If | | | | little pieces - you may need the craft knife to |
| your glassware is a vessel rather than flat sheet | | | | help you. Be warned; it's not reusable, so don't try |
| glass, you need to stop it from rolling around first | | | | to rescue the bits. |
| - sticking it down with masking tape should suffice. | | | | 6. Dry 'n' admire! |
| Rub the stencil on with a squeegee or your | | | | Wash the glass for the final time - don't panic if |
| thumb, and carefully peel off the backing, making | | | | your artwork disappears - dry it thoroughly and it |
| sure that each piece of the stencil remains firmly | | | | will reappear for you to admire. It really is as |
| on the glass. Mask the glass outside the stencil | | | | simple as that. |