Our latest featured etching project was submitted by Suzanne Travelstead! She does engraving with a Dremel tool. This is another way to etch designs into glass which I don’t talk about enough. I am not sure which Dremel model she uses and there are different types, but I found one on Amazon here.
Susan’s projects are quite interesting.The first one she shared is a design of an eagle mixed in with a Celtic cross.
The second one below features two mugs that were Dremel engraved with eagles as well, but they also have gold coloring. She provided the below information:
My name is Suzanne and I do Glass Etching with a Dremel. Here is one of the most challenging pieces I have done recently (the Celtic Cross with an Eagle on a Large Mug). Also posted is another Eagle I did 4 years ago….also done by hand with a dremel. All the etchings I do are “Custom” and/or “Unique” designs. Hope you enjoyed looking at my work 😀
I hope this gives you some ideas and motivates you to create some interesting etchings yourself. Thank you for sharing with us Suzanne! Please leave her some comment love or questions below.
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Which deemed do you use?
They are gorgeous!
Lovely etchings
I like the design with the Celtics cross. It is nice. I myself work with a dremel tool .
I would probably call them “engavings”rather than etchings as they are done mechanical rather than with acid.BUT they are lovely and I DO wonder how you got the bottom two to be gold colored?
Fantastic work!
Thank you for all the kind comments.
Eileen, I use the Dremel Multi-Pro 35,000rpm. Thank you for your kind words.
Carl, There are several ways to do glass etchings: Acid is the most popular; Sand etching is another popular but more expensive way of etching glass; and then there is the use of a Dremel and Diamond Ball Tips for glass etching, which is how I do my etchings. Engravings would be in stone or wood, not glass…..although, using a Dremel for etching, my etchings last longer than the other methods. You mentioned that you wonder how I did the gold coloring, well, it’s paint (Gold Paint) for glass. Works Great and lasts a long time as long as the etching is deep and rough enough to hold the paint. Thank you for commenting on this blog.
Thank you Debbie for your kind words.
Victor, What type of things do you do with your Dremel? The Celtic Cross I did was a special and challenging order from a customer. It took me a couple of times drawing it on the glass before etching it on the final Mug. Customer was extremely pleased with how it turned out.
Thank you Ian 😀
@Carl, I am not sure which gold glass paint Suzanne used, but we offer some here: http://amzn.to/2fHoN8W
The gold particles settle though and have to be stirred well before use and sometimes take 2-3 coats.
Hi, I am from South Arica an have a small printing bussiness but also do sandblasting on glasses and mirrors we just in the beginning still learning! My husband help me and we enjoy it. Thank you for shareing your work it is beautifull.
Sarita
Looks great. I also use a Dremel and like to bring the colors in, especially Gold and Silver. (weddings etc.) Have done others also Red/Green for Christmas and Valentine etc. Due to age I have not been too active (shakes at 70) but seeing your work I would like to get back into doing this as a retirement hobby. Here in Namibia however, we find it difficult and expensive to get the diamond points. Keep up the good work and show us some more of your great work.
Terry
@Eric & Carl … The Paint I use for my Glass Etchings is FolkArt (PLAID) Enamels, Gloss Finish Acrylic Paint (Dishwasher Safe). It is really easy to use and goes on in 1 coat and is reasonably priced.
@Sariata … I Love doing my glass etchings and I am so happy to see that everyone else is loving it too. I also etch designs on mirrors, it’s a bit more challenging, but has turned out great. Keep learning, it gets to be addicting once you get it down to a science. Thank you for your kind words.
@Terry, Thank you. I’m so happy to hear that others are doing glass etchings and using paints to bring out the designs. The Eagle was the first one I did with paint in the etching. I started using the paints to bring out “wording” on picture frames etchings. Most people don’t ask for the paint, so it’s not used too often. I hope you will be able to do more creative work in your retirement years. When I do my glass etchings, I go into a whole different world…..concentration is one of the keys to getting a successful etching done. I will see if Eric will post another one or two of my etchings (the last mirror etching will be my goal to have posted). Thank you for the encouraging words.
Lovely engravings Suzanne , like the idea of using paint.
Just started engraving a A4 size stag’s head onto tempered flat glass , will be using paint now. to enhance it :0)
Very very nice
Your work is amazing! I love seeing all the different designs and intricacies you can manage! Amazing!!
Thank you Pete. Would love to see your engraving. Paint makes the etchings stand out so you don’t have to have it on a dark background to help it show up better. Good Luck on your project.
Thank you Alfredo 😀
Thank you Jennifer 😀 My customers keep challenging me more and more. Be sure to check my FB page frequently, as I will be posting after Christmas all the etchings I will be doing for my customers “Unique” Christmas Gifts.
thanks you so much
Love the, etced eagles.” I would call engraved.” But, I use an engraving tool I bought at a garagesale.
I purchase the “burs” from ebay. Also if you have a good dentist and are lucky enough, as I am, they use burs that you can use on glass or wood. The best burs are the carbide. Good luck!
I too use a dremel tool as well 100 and I also use a Dremel 7300 cordless. It’s easier than the cream and the sand is too messy for me.
You have to have a steady hands
@Vincent I agree, using a Dremel is a lot better and gives better quality etching than the cream and yes, Sand etching is way too messy 😀 Thank you, having steady hands is very important to get quality etchings on glass. One thing with etching with a Dremel is, you cannot erase if you make a mistake…..having a steady hand and clear focus is very important.
I just love the etched eagles, they are fantastic. I am not interested in cream etching or sandblasting, only with using my Ozito which is similar to a Dremel and have done several simple things such as flowers,birds, butterflies and a couple of dancing girls.I am also teaching my 2 teenage grand-daughters .who are already better than I am I am delighted to say.as I am 79 years old and want to leave all my craft equipment to them. I will show them your eagles to really inspire them. I also paint glass and fire in my kiln so will try that now.on the etched items. Bless you for sharing. Joan Hancock Gold Coast Australia.
How did you paint just the engraved portion of the glass?
Hi, I just got a dremel with all the accessories for my birthday yesterday so can’t wait to have a go at the glass etching, like the idea of the coloured ones, thanks for the info!