Budget-Friendly Etched Frame DIY

How to etch a frame for a special occasion.

with etchall creme

etched frame

I found this curved frame at Dollar Tree and knew it would be perfect for a glass etching project. As I worked on it, I realized it would make a beautiful Mother’s Day gift, a way to commemorate prom or graduation, or even a personalized anniversary present. There are so many ways to customize etched glass for special occasions using etchall crème!

vinyl on frame

I measured and cut vinyl to fit the small channel at the bottom of the frame using my Cricut Maker and a system font. Since the letters were tiny, I used a needle to weed them and decided to leave out some of the letter centers for easier application.

with creme on frame

Etching glass with etchall crème takes just 15 minutes, and the best part is—it’s reusable! Simply scrape the crème back into the container when you’re done and save it for your next project.

Video Tutorial:

Suggested Materials:

Links are Affiliates
AZ – Amazon, SSS – Simon Says Stamps, SB – Scrapbook, O – Other
Cricut Brayer
Cricut Brayer
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AZ
Cricut Maker® Machine
Cricut Maker® Machine
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AZ | O | C
Cricut Standard Grip Mat
Cricut Standard Grip Mat
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AZ | C
Dollar Tree
Dollar Tree
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O
Etchall
Etchall
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AZ | O
Non-Stick Scissors
Non-Stick Scissors
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AZ
Oracal Vinyl
Oracal Vinyl
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AZ
Palette Knife
Palette Knife
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AZ
frame in use

I chose a photo from my daughter’s boyfriend’s first trip to the beach, but there are so many special occasions you could personalize a frame for—think birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, or vacations!

Stamping Ephemera Glue Disks

Ephemera made with hot glue.

finished glue disks

I discovered that using hot glue with a wax seal stamp works better than traditional sealing wax. I started by cutting colorful scrapbooking paper into 1″ circles for the base. After adding a dollop of hot glue, I pressed the stamp into it. Once the glue cooled, I highlighted the design with a gold paint pen for an extra touch of elegance.

The video below offers a few tips and ideas I experimented with along the way.

Video Tutorial:

Irish Coffee and free SVG

Let’s make Irish Coffee for St. Patrick’s Day in an etched coffee mug.

finish mug image

With St. Patrick’s Day just around the corner, I thought it would be fun to create a special mug for Irish Coffee. Have you ever tried it? The recipe is simple, and so was making this etched coffee mug using etchall etching crème!

The recipe:

  • 8oz coffee
  • 1.5 oz Irish whiskey
  • 1 tbsp brown sugar
  • top with whipped cream

How to etch glass:

rubbing alcohol

Before etching any glass project, it’s important to clean the surface thoroughly. The best way to do this is by wiping it down with rubbing alcohol, which removes any oils, dust, or residue for a crisp, clean etch.

If you would like to etch your own Irish Coffee mug, you can grab the free SVG file in the store, it is located here: [Irish Coffee SVG]

vinyl on

I used my Cricut Maker to cut the design into vinyl, then removed the design itself, leaving the surrounding vinyl as a stencil. This allows the etching cream to etch only the exposed glass while the vinyl acts as a mask, protecting the rest of the surface.

creme on glass

I applied etchall etching crème to the vinyl-covered area on the mug using a plastic spatula, making sure to spread it evenly. It’s important to protect your skin while handling the crème and allow it to sit for 15 minutes to work its magic. Once the time is up, I carefully removed the crème and returned it to the container since etchall etching crème is reusable. Finally, I washed the surface thoroughly and peeled off the vinyl to reveal the etched design.

etched glass

Here is the clean and etched mug ready to use.

green wax

wanted to enhance the etching with a touch of green metallic wax paste, adding a subtle shimmer that beautifully complements the St. Patrick’s Day theme. The wax paste settles into the etched areas, making the design stand out even more while giving the mug a unique, eye-catching finish.

I love how the touch of green enhances the etching, adding just the right amount of shimmer and depth. It brings out the design beautifully and gives the mug a festive St. Patrick’s Day feel!

Suggested Materials:

Links are Affiliates
AZ – Amazon, SSS – Simon Says Stamps, SB – Scrapbook, O – Other
Cricut Maker® Machine
Cricut Maker® Machine
Shop at:
AZ | O | C
Dollar Tree
Dollar Tree
Shop at:
O
Etchall
Etchall
Shop at:
AZ | O
Non-Stick Scissors
Non-Stick Scissors
Shop at:
AZ
Oracal Vinyl
Oracal Vinyl
Shop at:
AZ
Palette Knife
Palette Knife
Shop at:
AZ

Embossing Alcohol Ink

Alcohol pearls on a embossed image.

final tag

Wow! The results of the pearl alcohol ink on an embossed sheet of photo paper are absolutely stunning. While the colors didn’t travel or blend extensively, the way they broke down is so exciting and adds a vibrant look to the design!

materials

I started by embossing a sheet of photo paper from the Dollar Tree, then applied Alcohol Pearls along with rubbing alcohol to create a vibrant design. For the areas where the ink didn’t fully cover, I blended the colors with my fingers, adding a personal touch to the finished piece!

parts of the tag

When I trimmed the photo paper for the final tag, I noticed it was a bit fragile. To reinforce it, I backed it with a piece of color-coordinating cardstock. For the finishing touch, I added a sentiment cut from cardstock, tying the whole design together beautifully!

Video Tutorial:

How to Make a Thanksgiving Trivet

A charming usable trivet for your Thanksgiving table.

with etchall creme

finished trivet

This “Give Thanks” trivet is a charming addition to your Thanksgiving table decor, adding both warmth and function to your celebration. Its thoughtful design not only protects your surfaces but also serves as a meaningful reminder of gratitude during the holiday season. Whether you’re hosting a festive feast or looking for a heartfelt gift, this trivet makes a lovely and practical choice, perfect for sharing the spirit of Thanksgiving with loved ones.

You can grab the free SVG file here: [Give.svg]

sharpie

I am using a Sharpie marker to find the center of the glass. Don’t use the feet to center your design because they are not aligned. Mark on the front of the glass.

clean with alcohol

The flip it over and clean the bottom of the glass with rubbing alcohol. This is the side that will be etched. It is smooth.

I cut my design on a Cricut Maker choosing to mirror the image. Fold the vinyl to find the center both horizontal and vertical so it will help align the design on the glass.

front view

I flipped the glass over to show that the design is centered and correct reading.

creme on glass

Cover the entire design generously with etchall creme. Let it sit for 15 minutes. Once done, replace the creme back into the jar. etchall creme is reusable. It might darken over time but it continues to work.

finished

After the creme is removed wash the piece and remove the vinyl. For this design I then cleaned off the sharpie lines with rubbing alcohol. My Thanksgiving trivet is ready to bring to our family celebration.

Suggested Materials:

Links are Affiliates
AZ – Amazon, C – Cricut, O – Other
Cricut Brayer
Cricut Brayer
Shop at:
AZ
Cricut Maker® Machine
Cricut Maker® Machine
Shop at:
AZ | O | C
Cricut Standard Grip Mat
Cricut Standard Grip Mat
Shop at:
AZ | C
Etchall
Etchall
Shop at:
AZ | O
Oracal Vinyl
Oracal Vinyl
Shop at:
AZ
Sharpie Markers
Sharpie Markers
Shop at:
AZ

Button Earrings

The simple yet creative design makes these earrings a fun accessory.

finished earrings

These button earrings are crafted using a Halloween and fall-inspired color palette, featuring rich oranges and blacks. The simple yet creative design makes them a fun accessory for the season, they can easily be customized to suit any occasion or personal style by swapping out the buttons for different colors or patterns. Whether you’re dressing up for Halloween or looking to add a touch of autumn flair, these versatile earrings offer a playful and unique way to express your creativity.

materials

The materials are from Buttons Galore & More and Beebeecraft.

Shopping Buttons Galore and More use Janet10 for a discount – https://buttonsgaloreandmore.com/

While shopping at BeebeeCraft https://www.beebeecraft.com?s=Try10 use coupon: Try10 and save 10% on your whole order.

Video Tutorial:

Get Creative with the Stamp and Stencil Tool from Sizzix

Using Sizzix’s stamp and stencil tool to make a card.

finished card

I used Sizzix’s Stamp and Stencil tool to make a card. Using a layered stencil for the flowers and a stamp for the sentiment was easy with this tool. In the video tutorial, I share some thoughts and tips for using the tool.

parts

After stenciling the layers and stamping, I finished the card with coordinating cardstock and a tape runner. It was quick and easy.

Video Tutorial:

Suggested Materials:

Links are Affiliates
AZ – Amazon, SSS – Simon Says Stamps, SB – Scrapbook
Craft Brushes
Craft Brushes
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AZ
Distress Ink Bundle
Distress Ink Bundle
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AZ
Intense Black Ink Pad
Intense Black Ink Pad
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SSS
Tape Runner
Tape Runner
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AZ | SSS | SB
Stencil Converter
Stencil Converter
Shop at:
AZ
Grid Sheets
Grid Sheets
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AZ
Stencil and Stamp Tool
Stencil and Stamp Tool
Shop at:
AZ

Watercolor and Printables Tag

Tag it Tuesday

This week’s tag combines a small watercolor sample and printables from the store to create a rustic-themed tag. The colors in the wood printable are subtle and repeated in the small watercolor.

Printables:

My favorite printer brand for many years has been HP. I also use their ink supply service where I pay a monthly fee and they send me ink cartridges as needed. It comes out to be a lot less money this way. The HP Envy Inspire is a great-priced machine that will produce beautiful prints.

And if you are looking for a great crafting weight paper for printables, I have been using HP Project Paper. It is heavier than copier paper but not quite as heavy as cardstock. It is a great medium weight for layering, folding, and more!

Video Tutorial:

close-up tag

The close-up image shows so much detail in the printable colors and texture to the subtle ink blending around the edges. You can see how simple the watercolor painting is and how it works well when cropped into a circle.

Suggested Materials:

Links are Affiliates
AZ – Amazon, O – Other
1
1″ Circle Punch
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AZ
Finger Daubers
Finger Daubers
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O
Glassboard discount code JANET20
Glassboard discount code JANET20
Shop at:
AZ | O
Non-Stick Scissors
Non-Stick Scissors
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AZ
Paper Trimmer
Paper Trimmer
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O
Ranger Heat Tool
Ranger Heat Tool
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AZ
Reptile Glue
Reptile Glue
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AZ
Temu Glue Bottles
Temu Glue Bottles
Shop at:
O

Tag it Tuesday – Print and Cut

final penguin tag

This cute tag is made with a print and then cut image of a penguin from Vecteezy. It is a fun winter-themed tag with a stenciled background and finished off with an appropriate saying.

Video Tutorial:

Suggested Materials:

Links are Affiliates
AZ – Amazon, O – Other
Brother Scan n Cut
Brother Scan n Cut
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AZ
Divinity Designs
Divinity Designs
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O
Finger Daubers
Finger Daubers
Shop at:
O
Glassboard discount code JANET20
Glassboard discount code JANET20
Shop at:
AZ | O
Reptile Glue
Reptile Glue
Shop at:
AZ
Temu Glue Bottles
Temu Glue Bottles
Shop at:
O
Word Sticker - Temu
Word Sticker – Temu
Shop at:
O
close up

This close-up image shows the detail of ink blending along the edges of the tag and penguin.

Gold Foil Tag – Tag it Tuesday

gold foil tag

Today I am sharing a Gold Foil technique for Tag it Tuesday. I like the rustic application of the gold foil that coordinates with the pattern on the small envelope. Inside the envelope is a small card that has a sentiment and a butterfly sticker.

materials

Most of the materials are linked below for your ease of use.

Links are Affiliates
AZ – Amazon, SSS – Simon Says Stamps, SB – Scrapbook, O – Other
Deco Foil Adhesive Pen
Deco Foil Adhesive Pen
Shop at:
AZ | SSS | SB
Finger Daubers
Finger Daubers
Shop at:
O
Gemini Die Cut Machine
Gemini Die Cut Machine
Shop at:
AZ
Glassboard discount code JANET20
Glassboard discount code JANET20
Shop at:
AZ | O
Reptile Glue
Reptile Glue
Shop at:
AZ
ribbons
ribbons
Shop at:
O
Sentiment Stamp and Die
Sentiment Stamp and Die
Shop at:
O
Temu Glue Bottles
Temu Glue Bottles
Shop at:
O
VersaFine Clair
VersaFine Clair
Shop at:
AZ | SSS | SB

Video Tutorial:

close up of tag

Here you can see a close-up of the tag, the texture of the embossing with the gold foil, and the small envelope with the inserted card.