Joy's Life

Food, Recipe, DIY & Craft Blog - With Tons of Helpful Tutorials!

Glass Etch Butterfly Vase Using Cricut Wall Decor and More

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This caterpillar of a vase really did turn into a butterfly!

You’re going to laugh.  Um…this previously plain glass vase came out of a recycling bin.  I found about 7 perfectly good AND CLEAN vases sitting in the recycling bin of someone in my neighborhood.  I didn’t know the people and frankly I think the house was empty (it was for sale) and this was their “moving out” junk.  I don’t normally go hunting for things laid out for garbage, but I felt exceptionally lucky to spot this.  I just couldn’t say no to it.  I made DH drive me back to it in his car so I could scoop up all my loot.  I knew they would be perfect for glass etching and I was right!

The funny part…um…I gave this vase to my sister-in-law for her b’day.  Hey, there’s nothing wrong with the vase, ok?  It’s called recycling, people!!  Don’t judge me! 😉  I did make sure there were some flowers for the vase.  No, I didn’t take the flowers from a neighbors yard too.  Don’t be a wiseguy.  (Plus, nothing good was blooming.  I’m just sayin’.)

I used vinyl to make a template for the butterflies.  The butterflies are all from the Wall Decor and More Cricut cartridge.  I cut the big one at 3″, another at 2″ and two of them at 1.5″.  Just use some Armour Etch over the negative space and you’re good to go.  If you want to see exactly how this is done … you’re in luck!  I just so happened to included glass etching on both flat and curved surfaces in my new DVD Cricut Vinylology. 😀

I hope your daily exercise also uncovers good treasures like this neighborhood walk did for me!  Oh, with the promise of lurking craft supplies who knows what exercising I might achieve! 😉

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Comments

  1. OMG I love this !!! Hey wait, here is a stupid question could you do etching in colors?? By the way it's not bad, because you did jazz it up a little bit before giving it to her! lol. Charna

  3. Joy - what a fantastic idea!! Sure saves space at the landfill AND THAT'S A GOOD THING!!! thanks for the idea! jackie

  6. Beautiful!!!!!!!!!! I think I have a vase like that in my stash. Now you really got me thinking more about vinyl.

  8. hmmm now this might get me out on my run i need to do!!!! and because on my way home I saw a really nice dresser and I want it!

  9. LOL to funny. My step mother finds stuff and turns them into works of art. Hey it is called going GREEN lol. It turn out really nice and good luck with your walking.

  10. Great find made into an awesome gift! It wouldn't be any better or prettier if you bought the vase. Absolutely nothing wrong starting with a found object, I'd be proud of that fact!

  12. This is really lovely and you have made it into a beautiful present. I really must try this etching sometime. Kim xXx

  13. LOL... I don't know what I liked more... your beautiful vase or your post about it. I just laughed so hard I woke up the baby. Thanks for the great ideas and giggles!

  14. I will be doing this soon......was going to do it for the wedding but time escapes me as the wedding is just in a few days. Thanks for all the inspiration

  16. Joy, I found your website yesterday and I am going through all of it. I love it. My friend is getting married in May and using butterflies so I love the glass etching; it is something I have been wanting to try to awhile. Only question can you reuse the vinyl pattern or is it only good for one use? Thanks, and thanks for the add on FB Cathy

    • Hey Cathy, The vinyl is really only good for one use on something like glass etching. It takes a lot to get it stuck down well enough to the glass to keep the glass etching cream from seeping underneath. When it's time to take it off to reveal the etched image the vinyl has usually seen better days. ;) ~Joy~

  17. I can't believe I found this site, I have been a friend on Facebook for awhile but finally checked the website and am so glad I did!!!

  18. I really like this site, I love to craft and try any craft that is new and different.....Please keep in touch with me and help me stay in touch with the newest and coolest new tricks for any type of crafting! :o)

  19. Joy I just found your site and loved the vases that you did with the butterfly. I did something similar with my wifes minivan and etched our initials on the side window glass. She has her initials on her side in 4 inch size with appropriate butterfly and balloon and I have mine on the passenger side. Note the passenger side because it is her minivan. Ha Ha. Here is something I learned and made the project easier. I used Frisket Film by grafixarts see www.grafixarts.com. It is about the same cost but the film is low tack and translucent which helped me a lot because I had to reposition it in some areas. I loved your projects and think this is a terrific website. Keep it up you are great. Bob

    • Thank you Bob! :) I can't believe you glass etched your wife's mini van!! You win the award for MOST DARING. :D I think that is fantastic! I'm going to check out the link and product you mentioned. Thanks so much for being part of my site! :) ~Joy~

  20. Joy Daring is not the word HaHa. but she loves me. This is one great site keep up the great work. You are fantastic. TKS B

  21. To add color to glass etching I've used the gold or silver rub n buff cream. And you only need a tiny bit and it looks amazing! Really makes the etching pop out.