I have a healthy obsession with all things checkered. I also love vases of fresh flowers. And one of my favorite crafts is glass etching. I put them all together for this fun and easy project. The first attempt at making this vase was a complete fail. So here is the right way to make a DIY checkered vase!
DIY Checkered Vase - Glass Etched!
My son and his cute new wife both have birthdays in September just a few days apart. They also both loved checkered things (remember their DIY dance floor!) so I actually made this for them as part of their birthday gift.
Step 1: Cut The Vinyl
The first round of this project (that ended in failure) I used electrical tape to make the squares. I have used electrical tape to glass etch in the past, but this tape was 1.5" thick and was harder to work with than thinner tape. It stretched out and made slightly wonky lines. So I scrapped that one and started again. This time I used vinyl. I had some gold leftover from the wedding. I could have used my Cricut machine but since it was just strips cut into squares, I used this paper cutter.
There was a bit of math involved to figure out the size of the squares. I measured around the vase and then divided that by how many squares I wanted each row to have. You need to have an even number in order for the checkered pattern to work out.
Step 2: Placing the Vinyl
The first row is the trickiest in the sense that it has to be perfectly spaced in order for all the others to line up. I used the backing of one of the square as a spacer so I knew where the next one needed to go. After the top row was done, the rest was easy peasy. I just lined up corners to corners.
Step 3: Add Glass Etching Cream
Glass etching cream is so fun to use! I apply it with a small craft brush. I dab it on pretty thick to ensure even coverage. Once all the squares without vinyl were covered in the cream, I let it sit a few minutes before rinsing it off. I used the same paint brush to help remove the the glass etching cream. You want to avoid getting it on your skin.
When it is wet, it doesn't look super opaque, but once it dries, you can really see it. Peeling off the vinyl was the most satisfying part!
I love this method because it is subtle but still adds a fun touch to your decor. I have also glass etched a vase with stripes, one with hearts, and even one with ghosts for Halloween!
What pattern would you glass etch on a vase?
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Stacy, this is just a great idea, thank you! I have never done glass etching before, I am going to be brave and try this using the checkerboard pattern. My straight “column” vase is 3 1/4 inches across and 7 1/4 inches tall, and I hope I can achieve results similar to yours! I subscribed to your weekly tips, looking forward to the inspiration you share
Thank you! Your comment made my whole day :)
I can’t wait to try this technique. The vase is just beautiful and really looks like it came from a high-end retailer. I appreciate you including the description of your first attempt and what to avoid.
I’ve been inspired by your base projects and tried etching glass a few times now, but they’ve not turned out well at all. I’m going to try again, once I get some more information. I have a few questions for you: 1. Did you thin the etching cream? 2. Is it important to have a smooth uniform coverage? 3. How long do you wait before rinsing it off? I used the same brand etching cream as shown in one of your posts. It is quite thick and my vase turned out splotchy with some places not etched (even though there was cream there). There are white lines along where the stickers were where the etching cream was heavier I guess.
Any ideas of how to improve would be greatly appreciated!!!
I'm so sorry I am just now seeing this. I have gotten behind with things since my surgery. To answer your questions, I do not water mine down. And I add it as thick as possible and wait extra time. It doesn't need to be brushed on in super even strokes as long as it is thick. I do more of a dabbing motion. The cream should be white. Did you mix it up? Maybe you got a bad batch? Sometimes mine is smooth and sometimes it has what look like tiny bits of glass in it. Sometimes it looks white white and sometimes more cream or off white.
Another tip that's not related to your question is that since I put it on really thick, I will scrape off the excess and put it back in the bottle to reuse. Then I rinse it off.
If it isn't as even as you would like you could try adding a second coat once it has been rinsed off and dried. I haven't tried that before but it might help. I am sorry you are having trouble with it! Let me know if you have any other questions or concerns.
And thank you for reading my blog and for your kind words :)