Making Your Own Etched Shot Glasses

Etching glass is a gorgeous and simple technique that uses certain chemicals or sand abrasions to roughen a piece of glass and make it appear frosted and opaque. Believe it or not, this technique can be done on your own and you can use it to transform plain shot glasses into a beautiful and personal etched shot glasses for birthday or wedding favors. Though etching glass is pretty simple, proper care and safety is still needed and you must follow the instructions carefully. Two common ways of etching glass is by sand abrasion and chemical etching. Sand abrasion uses special equipment to fire small particles of sand at a piece of glass to chip away at the surface--most people consider this way to be the real etching procedure as this technique allows for shading and sculpting of the glass piece. Chemical etching, on the other hand, relies on store-bought creams to eat away at the surface of the glass, producing a uniformly frosted appearance where applied. The latter technique is far simpler, cheaper and more readily available for the home crafter.

For creating etched shot glasses, first you need to get a supply of sturdy shot glasses. Get more than you need in order to be able to practice and refine your techniques first. You will also need etching chemicals which you can purchase from your local craft store. These chemicals depend on how many glasses you want to make, and it is better to get a more expensive but reusable product rather than a cheaper, single-use brand. Etching kits are also available that include stencils for lettering and designs. Kits also come with protective gear such as rubber gloves and eye wear and the relevant tools so if you don't get a kit, get these gears separately. Also, practice safety at all times even if you are a professional in this area.

When you are ready to etch your shot glasses, fix the stencils to the glass firmly and at the place you want them on. Make your own shapes or be creative: self-adhesive holes reinforcements make good polka dots and other children's shape stickers can be used for their silhouettes. The area that is covered will remain the clear part whereas the ones that aren't covered are the parts that will be etched so plan your designs properly.

Next, put on your protective eye wear and gloves as it can protect you from the etching chemicals that are very toxic. Follow the directions on the package and make sure to apply an even layer of the chemical to avoid a streaky or uneven final product. Leave the chemical on the glass for the required period of time and for this, it is best to set the timer. After the time is up, it's time to rinse. When rinsing, make sure to remove the entire chemicals from the glass and your gloves before drying the glass and removing the stencil. If you are a beginner at etching, start your etched shot glasses craft with large shapes and designs because it is usually easier than words or intricate and delicate designs.