Etching designs into glass adds an elegant and whimsical look to any occasion. It’s easier to do than it looks and allows you to personalize the decor at your wedding.

Materials:

• Etching cream

• Contact paper

• Paintbrush

• Exacto knife

• Access to a sink

Instructions:

1. Create a stencil.

Trace your design on contact paper with a fine tip permanent marker. Use an Exacto knife to carefully cut the design out. Leave a quarter-inch border around the design. Make sure not to make any small cuts into the contact paper as the etching cream will seep into the cuts and ruin the design.

2. Place the stencil on the glass.

Make sure the glass is clean and dry. Carefully peel the paper off the back of the contact paper. Start with one edge and work your way over, making sure there are no bubbles, especially near the edges as the cream will get under them.

3. Apply the etching cream.

Use a small paintbrush to apply the cream. Make sure to thoroughly cover the area you want etched and to not get any of it under the contact paper. Leave it on for 60 seconds and no longer.

4. Rinse off the cream and remove the stencil.

After the cream has been on the glass for one minute, rinse it off under lukewarm, running water. It’s OK if the stencil starts coming off. If it has not come off, peel it off when you’re done rinsing off the cream. Clean the glass with glass cleaner and let it dry.