DIY Snow Globe with etchall(R)

Have you ever tried etching?  I have a project idea to share with you today.  I used a recycled jar, some craft mirrors, glue and glitter and created a DIY snow globe.  I used some small sisal trees but you can use any miniatures that you would like to put in your snow globe.  Read on to see how!

******Follow this link to watch a video of Barbee explaining how to use etchall(R)

Materials you will need:

etchall(R): 16 oz.  dip'n etch

etchall (R):etchmask

etchall (R) squeegee

tacky glue

white glitter

sisal trees (any other minis you want for your globe)

3" foam ball - halved

craft mirrors:  1/2" square, 2-1/2" round

trim:  1/2" silver

recycled plastic bottle or container with the top cut off.  (slightly larger than the jar)

scrap paper

scissors

adhesive vinyl:  red

die-cut machine:  cut the word "Believe"

marbles or rocks (for weighting the jar)

Directions:

1.  Make sure your recycled jar is clean and sparkling! Don't forget the lid!

2.  Use the die-cut machine to cut a 3" wide oval.  

3.  Adhere the oval to the jar.  Use the Squeegee(R) to smooth out any air bubbles.  Remove the transfer paper and discard.

Now you are ready to etch!

4.  Add some marbles or rocks to the jar to give it some weight.  Sit it in the recycled plastic container.  Carefully pour the etchall(R) dip'n etch into the container.  As you can see in the photo below, the liquid is very dark.  That is a natural process with this product that happens over time.  The product is still good!  Go ahead and use it and make sure to save it for another use after you have your etch!

5.  Set the timer for 15 minutes.  If you need to adjust the jar in the etching liquid you can leave it in longer.  When the time is up, remove the jar, remove the etchmask (discard), and wash thoroughly.  Return the dip'n etch liquid to it's original container for another use.

6.  Now comes the fun part!  Invert the jar and adhere a round craft mirror to the (now) top of the jar.  Adhere the smaller square mirrors around the sides as shown.  I used a jar that had little square indents around the top and bottom which worked great for placing the mirrors.  You could use large rhinestones for this step too.  Apply a line of glue around the un-etched oval on the jar.  Cover it with glitter.  Also apply glitter around the mirrors.  Careful not to get it too messy or your mirrors will slide off.

7.  Trim the foam to fit the inside of the lid allowing room for the jar to screw back on.  Adhere the foam to the lid.  Adhere the trees to the foam and sprinkle heavily with glitter.  Allow to dry.

8.  I used my die-cut machine to cut out "Believe" from a red vinyl adhesive sheet.  I used some transfer paper over the top of it and applied it to the jar as shown.  Once all the air bubbles are rubbed out; remove the transfer paper.

9.  Insert the trees into the jar; screw the lid in place.  Finish by adding some silver trim around the sides of the jar lid.  

10.  I showed a variation at the top of the page.  Let your imagination be your guide!  Using recycled jars of all sizes make great snow globes for decorations and gifts.

Make sure to take the time to enjoy the small blessings along the way and

Live Life with a Flourish!

Merry Christmas!

Marilyn

I received complimentary product for this

blog in exchange for my creativity,

Monogrammed Mirror and Jar Decor with etchall(R)

Gather a recycled jar with lid; a soda bottle with the top cut off and dip'n'etch liquid.  You will need a beveled edge mirror and a 4" square mirror for the center.  I purchased a wooden painted easel and painted over it with a color that I chose for my theme.

You will need:

etchall (R):  dip n' etch liquid; etchall creme, squeegee; etchall(R); etchmask Stencil ComboPak

 Shop here: http://etchall.com/store/products/etchall-etchmask-stencil-combopak/

die cutting machine 

Multi-Surface FolkArt piant by Plaid(R)

Tacky Glue

Embellishments:

Cording; 1 yard gold

Flowers; 1" pink mulberry paper

Corners:  gold filigree, 2

Pearls:  singles cut from pearlstring strand

scissors

paintbrush

water bucket

paper towels

Instructions:

1.  Follow the instructions given and attach the etchall transfer sheets to the etchall etchmask.  Cut the strips the size you want for applying stripes to the jar.  I cut them 1/2" x 4".  Cut enough to fit around the jar.

2.  Remove the release paper and apply evenly to the jar.  Use the squeegee to remove all and any air bubbles; then remove the transfer paper from the top of the etchmask.  

3.  Pour water into the soda bottle and insert the prepared jar.  Remove the jar and mark where the water line should be to prevent over-pouring.  Fill the soda bottle up to the marked line with etchall (R) dip 'n etch.

Fill the jar with water for added weight and place inside the soda bottle.  The etching liquid should come up to the top of the jar.  Set the timer for at least 15 minutes.  

4.  Remove the jar from the soda bottle.  Take care to pour the dip 'n etch back into the original bottle.  You can use it again!  Pour the water from the jar and rinse and dry it thoroughly.  Set it aside for now.

5.  Paint the lid with the Multi-Surface paint.  Allow to dry.  While the paint is out; paint the easel to match if you would like to change the color.

6.  For the beveled mirror:  Set the 4: square mirror in the center of the top of the larger mirror.  Use a pen or pencil to trace around the mirror.  Cut the strips to fit from the outer edges of the mirror into the marked line.  Remove the release paper from one strip of etchmask and attach it to the mirror.  Repeat with the remaining strips; spacing them evenly as shown.  Cut four 3/4" squares from the etchmask and adhere one to each corner of the mirror.  Use the squeegee to remove air bubbles; then remove the transfer paper from the etchmask.

7.  Lay the mirror on a flat surface and apply the etchall creme as directed by the manufacturer.  Set the timer for at least 15 minutes.  When time is up; place the creme back into the original container.  Rinse and dry the mirror thoroughly.  There is a great training video on the website if you have not etched before.  Here is the link:  http://etchall.com/getting-started/

8.  Die-cut the monogram and apply to the smaller mirror.  Repeat the process with the etching creme.  Remove the etchmask; rinse and dry the mirror.

9.  Use X-treme hold adhesive tabs to attach the monogrammed mirror to the center of the larger mirror. I used Tombow brand.

10:  To finish:  Adhere the cording one side at a time using the tacky glue.  Adhere cording around the neck and to the top of the jar.  I decorated the lid further with a 3" round mirror and glued the cording around the mirror.  Adhere the filigree corners to the bottom of the mirror and the flowers to the upper left hand corner.

You can make this your own by embellishing with your colors of choice.  I love finding recycled glass items to etch.  The thrift stores are a great place to start; but the craft store has much to offer as well!

On a personal note:  I will be taking these up to my mother's memorial service this next week-end.  She suffered for years with a mind robbing disease called Alzheimer's.  We are asking family and friends to donate toward the Alzheimer's foundation in lieu of flowers and the jar will be for people who donate at the site.  I will miss my mother; but we know she is in a much better place and free from a world that she no longer recognized.  

I hope you got some inspiration here today.....and I like getting comments if you would like to leave one.  Maybe you have a question.

Make sure to take time to enjoy the small blessings along the way and;

Live Life with a Flourish!

Marilyn

I receive a small stipend & free

product in exchange for sharing 

my creativity.