I love old stuff. I love the dusty smell the years leave behind and the memories tucked into things that have lasted long beyond their owners.
I particularly love old mirrors, the kind that have real silver on the backs and bubbles in the glass and hand-glued labels on the wood. I haul them home whenever I can, and my husband gives me that husband look that says he doesn’t appreciate blurry, wrecked mirrors the way I do and he wonders if we don’t already have enough already?
As if.
One of the mirrors I scavenged was from a church garage sale. It was framed with barn boards and the silver was delightfully scratched and it weighed about half as much as me. I lugged it home and when my husband rolled his eyes, I said, “Don’t worry. I’m going to do something with this.”
Which, in point of fact, was not the part that worried him.
My plan was to make an etched mirror. For years, I toyed around with what to do. I even bought supplies to make my own stencil, but I couldn’t quite find the right thing and I was a little afraid I would ruin the mirror (never mind the fact that my husband thought it was too late for that).
So, I was thrilled when I turned on my computer one day and found a link a friend shared to Fruitful Vine Creations. They make gorgeous vinyl wall decals in every shape and size, including the one below.
Micah 6:8 happens to be one of my favorite verses. I even named a child after that book of the Bible. I was in love.
The size of this decal was perfect for my mirror. I knew I could affix the vinyl piece to it and the hardest part of my glass-etching project would be done for me!
Best of all, this particular letter art was being featured that week as the company’s Fruitful Deal. Every week, they offer one vinyl letter design at a deep discount. I scored this design for 50% off!
Once my order arrived, I positioned the vinyl decal on my mirror.
Then, I secured the design with tape on one edge and peeled the back off. This way, I could flip the design back onto the glass. (All the directions are included in the package, and they are super easy to follow, so don’t worry if that part doesn’t make sense. It will when you see their step-by-step tutorial).
I squeegeed the design onto the glass, pushing out air bubbles and making sure the design was stuck on tight. Since I was going to be applying glass etching acid to the top of this vinyl, I wanted to make sure all the edges were sealed.
Once that was done, I carefully pulled the top sheet off. The decal was perfectly positioned underneath.
Now it was time to get to work with the etching.
To etch glass at home, all you need is glass etching goo. This is what I used to do the job. This is the link to the product description on my Amazon affiliate page. But, it’s crazy expensive. I highly recommend using a coupon and getting it at your local craft store if you can. I got mine at Hobby Lobby for 40% off.
Using a paint brush, smear that stuff all over the mirror, right on top of the vinyl, until it is evenly coated.
The product is a little lumpy. Ignore.
The directions on the Armour Etch say to leave the product on for 60 seconds. I tested this with a smaller bottle and that amount of time was not nearly sufficient. Maybe it’s because my mirror is very old and things were made better back in the day. I don’t know. But I had to go back and purchase another bigger bottle and try again.
Bother.
I let it sit for about fifteen minutes, or until I could see the glass was cloudy underneath. Then, I washed off the creme, cleaned the mirror, and let it dry.
You will notice that the glass-etching product did not take evenly. Grrr…I am telling myself that the variations in cloudiness are in keeping with the weathered look of the mirror. I may go back and purchase another jar of Armour Etch if I decide not to leave my children an inheritance.
You will also notice that the vinyl looks just as good as it did before I applied the acid. In fact, a simple design might be able to be used again.
For me, it was time to remove the vinyl letters and see if the etching worked.
It did!
This particular design from Fruitful Vine Creations is very delicate, so I was a little worried that the acid might get underneath the thin parts. It didn’t. The vinyl stuck tight, just like it was supposed to, and gave me beautiful, crisp lines.
It’s hard to tell because the mirror creates a double image, but the lines are so clean. You can even feel them with your fingers, just like on real etched-glass.
I love the way the Scripture verse looks on the mirror. The light catches the words in different ways at different times, and it is beautiful. Even my husband has to admit that this old mirror isn’t so bad.
Aren’t you all dying to get your hands on some vinyl letter art so you can create your own etched mirror masterpiece???
You are in luck! I contacted Tonya over at Fruitful Vine Creations and told her what amazing readers I have and how much you all would love to shop on her site. She offered to give you all a chance to win a $50 shopping spree from Fruitful Vine Creations! This gift certificate can be used on anything in their store, including shipping! The only exclusions are the My Fruitful Deal decals (which are already a smashing great price, you might just want to sign up for their sale e-mails so you don’t miss any).
To enter, just fill out the Rafflecopter below! I will draw a winner at 6 pm Monday, April 14. Enjoy!
That’s beautiful! I love it!
HI Shannon!
I wanted to let you know that I just designed your verse for you! It’s on the website. 🙂
http://fruitfulvinecreations.com/item_108/We-Are-Glad.htm
Blessings,
Tonya
Your mirror is lovely! I was just thinking about decorating with words. After browsing the site, the Psalm 103 seems to be my favorite pre-made piece. “The Lord has done great things for us” is a saying that suits my theme, but I love the style of Psalm 103 so much more.
Hi Everyone! This is Tonya from Fruitful Vine Creations. I’m so glad you liked the giveaway from our store. It is such a fun thing for me to see what everyone likes best. I did want to let you know that one of our specialties at Fruitful Vine Creations is custom designs. I will gladly redesign any verse for you in a layout of your choice. And, I don’t charge extra for that service! It is so important to me that people get scripture on their walls, that I try to do it at the most affordable price I can. So, if I’m going to be designing anyway (and I LOVE to design!), I may as well be designing something I know you want. Often, these designs end up being offered in my store for everyone to purchase if they want. So, Shannon, if you want The Lord has done great things for us in the Psalm 103 style, I will happily work on that for you! Just drop me an email at tonya@fruitfulvinecreations.com, and I will send you sample designs. Also, be sure to check out http://www.myfruitfuldeal.com/ for the weekly special, where a new design is at least 50% off each week! Another great way to get scripture on your wall. Great design doesn’t have to be expensive. 😉
What a cool thing! I love that you can custom design and it doesn’t cost any more. Love, love, love.
I want the 5 Solas decal!! <3 <3 <3 it!!
I really like this: http://fruitfulvinecreations.com/item_90/Family-Birthdays.htm 🙂
I love the Duet. 6 verse.
Love your blog! Such a cool giveaway.
I just redid the decor on my dining room wall. I have been on the hunt for the perfect vinyl phrase to add. From Fruitful Vine, I like the Taste and see Psalm 34:8!
It looks beautiful!
I’d love the Time spent with family wall clock! Love all of her stuff though! Hard to pick! 🙂
I love Fruitful Vine Creations!!
Love Fruitful Vine! I would choose a scripture for the dining room 🙂
Love vinyl! Love verses!
This looks like a great giveaway. Thanks!
There are several I want for my kids rooms, but we just moved and I have a lot of organization to do before I make such a big decision 🙂 But I would love a no soliciting one at the moment. It looks much better than the bathroom looking signs you can buy.
I love the five solas 🙂
I love all the designs. I love the idea of the mirror!!
I love all of their products! Especially the family monograms, I’ve been looking for something like this!
We are moving in a few weeks and I have been thinking a scripture decal would be beautiful in our new school room.
Thanks For Sharing This Idea.
I Would Get The Time Spent With Family Wall Clock.
LOVE the mirror! Love the verse!
Beautiful!
I love vinyl designs. I have a verse from Isaiah that reminds me to give of myself and my light will shine in the darkness. I love this idea. Thanks for sharing this.
I love 1 Corinthians 13 for the stairs!
We do Boy & We do Girls
I LOVE Fruitful Vine Creations!!!!! I know EXACTLY what I’d get if I won too. 🙂 It’s be the Family Celebrations!! Oh wait, or the… there are so many!!!
Micah 6:8 is one of our favorites. Our kids love singing it!
This is gorgeous! Even with it not coming out as you’d hoped, it’s “imperfection” makes it look all that much better!
You never cease to amaze me with your many talents!! I got a cricut for Christmas so now I’m dying to try this!! Thanks for sharing…btw…I really miss you guys!!
Did you know you can scrape the etching cream off, put it back in the bottle and use it again? I’ve used it on Pyrex before and I saved the leftover cream for future projects.
I did not know that! By the time I rinsed it off, it was pretty well dried up, though. I bet if I had used more, I could have saved some. That’s good to know for next time!
oooo I like the “Grow Old Along with Me” Masterbedroom decal 😉