Vintage Etched Mirror Tutorial

I've created another project for the vintage vignette I'm displaying at the wedding. I think it's going to fit in so beautifully with the antique trunk, jewelry etc. I've done this as a written tutorial instead of a video this time as I just didn't have the time to spend editing one. It's easy to follow so you should have no problem recreating it or doing your own style if you follow this step by step. Feel free to copy and save in a document for later or book mark this page to come back to!

Vintage Etched Mirror Tutorial:

1. Remove your mirror from it's frame if desired and/or possible. (For me it makes the angle of writing easier so I recommend you do it if you can)

2. Wash the mirror with mild soapy water, dry well.

3. Clean the surface with rubbing alcohol to remove any left over residue of soap or other things that could cause resisting of the etching cream.

4. Using the Etchall Designer Tip Kit, fill your bottle with Etchall Etching Crème, remove the white top that serves as the plug for the bottle when not in use, and attached your desired tip width for writing.

5. Write your sentiment, draw or whatever you like on your mirror front. Be sure to follow the directions to clean your tip so you can use it again and replace the whit top on the bottle.

6. Allow to sit for 15 minutes to process.

7. Rinse under warm running water using a sponge or soft cloth to quickly wipe the etched area. This must be done very quickly to avoid etching any other part of the mirror. Once completely rinsed, dry well with a soft cloth.

8. Place the mirror back in it's frame if you removed it.

9. Decorate to your liking.

Here you can see the definition of the etching.

Better tones for seeing the variegation in the frame.

And close up of the detail in the gorgeous buttons from Miriam's Crafting Supplies.

For my piece, I brushed the entire frame with burnt umber acrylic paint let it dry literally about 1 minute, then wiped, just the surface, with a baby wipe so that the paint would stay in most of the crevices. I let it dry completely then.

Next I used Metallic Peridot paint and just dabbed it here and there to give it a patina of sorts. Because it was a metallic paint it blended well with the original gold surface. When that was dry I lightly, and I mean VERY lightly, sanded some areas off.

Then I just added a few embellishments on the front (love those buttons!) and I was done. Quick and simple, less than an hour including the etching time.

How simple was that! A stunning piece for display that says EXACTLY what YOU want it to say! Not a store bought saying that everybody and their brother can purchase. That's the best thing about Etchall products, the result is all you baby! 

Pop on over to Etchall's website and take a look at all the fabulous products available and check out their Facebook page for inspiration. They have some GORGEOUS ideas! 

And don't forget to visit Miriam's Crafting Supplies for embellishments. She has the best stuff at great prices!

I also have to give a little shout out to my new favorite second hand shop Darling Decor' & More. If you live in the central Texas area you have to come to Temple and see them! They have the CUTEST stuff for REALLY REASONABLE prices! I have gotten so much for the wedding from them. I think this little mirror was like $6 or some crazy cheap amount like that. You'll see lots more of their stuff when I show the wedding pictures but they have been the best to work with! If they didn't have what I needed they tried to find it for me and so far they've found every single thing I asked for and still didn't charge me a ton. I so love that place!!! I'm going to have to visit them every time I come back from Florida to visit my kids!

I hope you enjoyed this little tutorial and it inspires you to create something unique for yourself.

Love ya,

~Deb~

Lucky Leprechaun Magic Chunky Jewelry Set

My second project for Miriam's Crafting Blog Challenge Green Theme this month is a chunky necklace. I hope whoever where's this has tons of lucky as it contains a 4 leaf clover, the number 7 twice, an beautiful butterfly, and some leprechaun Magic Dust among lots of other elements. This necklace is just in time for St. Patrick's Day on Monday March 17th!

So here we go...

Right click on the picture to enlarge it, there's a description of the pieces I used from Miriam's Crafting Supplies. In addition I used an Industrial Chic number charm, a vintage type writer key, some silver money charms, and a green metal tag that says lucky on one side and leprechaun magic dust on the other. I attached it all to 4 strand of chain tied together in a knot, two silver, two bronze. This was fun to make and I hope it inspires you to do something similar!

Thanks for hanging out with me today and don't forget to check out Miriam's blog for more inspiration from other DT members!

Love ya,
~Deb~

March is Green Themed!

Miriam's Crafting Blog's 10th monthly challenge is green themed. Well no wonder! St. Patrick's day, spring peeking out, yes it's a good color to represent this month. So I decided to do a green flower for my first project this month. I have three by the way and they will be scattered through the month.

I couldn't JUST do a flower, that would have been to simple and boring so I attached it to a card. A very special card.

The flower is made from two metal embellishments found at Miriam's.The description is in the final picture of the project below.

I used nail polish to paint green onto the 5 petal flower and dabbed i off quickly with a baby wipe so it just had a hint of the color. Then I took the 6 petal and cut the outer petals so I could twist and shape them how I wanted. I layered the two, added a small lavender flat back pearl in the center.

So that's my challenge project for the DT every member post over on the blog
(Miriam's Crafting Blog ). Hop on over and see what my DT sisters have come up with, They are all such fabulous artists and they never fail to wow me!

Thanks for stopping by today!

Love ya,
~Deb~