Several months ago while perusing the aisles of Hobby Lobby I bought a bottle of etching cream on a whim. Like so many other craft store goodies I take home, that bottle sat on the shelf collecting dust. That is, up until a few days ago when I got it out to help my future sister in law with a wedding project. Now I never want to put it down!

Oh. Em. Gee. This stuff is UH-MAZING, I absolutely love it!

When we were done with the wedding project I seriously found myself looking around the house thinking,

“ETCH ALL THE THINGS!!!!!”

But I didn’t, much to the relief of my husband.  Instead, I went shopping to find the perfect wedding gift for some friends…something I could etch, of course! I debated on so many things – coasters and drinking glasses and cake pans, oh my!

Then I saw it…a lovely but plain hurricane vase. It was just begging me to take it home and make it pretty.

Isn’t is gorgeous?! I tossed in some coffee beans and a pillar candle to complete the perfect gift.

I have been laser engraving gifts for years and I can’t believe I’m saying it, but I much prefer using the etching cream. The results are stunning, and very smooth; you can barely feel a difference when you run your fingers over the etched portions.

I couldn’t stop looking at it. I hope the bride and groom love it as much as I do. =) I am pretty impressed with etching cream and will definitely be using it again and again.

I also wanted to share a tip for applying your vinyl decal over slightly curved objects, such as this vase. Apply the decal as you normally would, then cut several slits along the curve and carefully burnish each little section. Be sure to cover all the exposed areas with masking tape before applying the etching cream. Works like a charm!

The hardest part about this project was getting a decent photo of the finished piece! (Seriously, have you ever tried to photograph glass?!)

Do you love this vase as much as I do? If you’ve already used etching cream, what has been your favorite project?