Graduation Gift

A very good friend's daughter asked me to do a special request and personalize some martini glasses for 2 friends of hers that will be graduating this weekend from the University of Arizona.  I tried finding the big ones, but had no luck in finding them.... so I settled for the regular martini glasses.  I hope they like them.

I used the SCAL program for the graphics and also for the name.  Since it was for a female, I wanted the writing to be on the feminine side and found a curly type font and italicized the names.  I think they came out quite well and everyone should be pleased.

Mother's Day is Coming Up Soon

I'm trying to keep ahead of the game by knowing what I need to get done for upcoming holidays and special events.  The next big event is Mother's Day.  Since I've not done any etching in a while, I decided to do a Mother's Day plate for my mom.  Although she's considered legally blind, she appreciates things like this that she can show to her friends when they come over.  You know how mom's need to do a bit of bragging.

Today, I pulled out the vinyl and the etching cream and went to work.  After playing around in design studio, I found a border that I liked well enough to etch.  I used the Cricut Joys of the Season Cartridge for the border, the Mother's Day Seasonal Cartridge  for the words and Cricut Calligraphy Collection Cartridge for the date.  I think it came out quite well.

So it started off with the vinyl looking like this:

To adding the etching cream and looking like this:

And turning it into this:

Recipe:

Vinyl

Etching Cream

Cricut Cartridge - Joys of the Season

Cricut Cartridge - Calligraphy Collection

Cricut Cartridge - Mother's Day Seasonal

Glass Etching with the Cricut

Right after the holidays, I made a tip mug for the bartender at the bowling alley.  During a nite of who knows what, a customer broke her tip glass.  She was using a hand cut bottle (Grey Goose... lol) ... but I thought I could do something nicer for her.  Since it's a bowling alley, I found an image of a bowling ball and added her name to it.  She practically cried when I gave it to her.  It's been a walking ( or should I say bar standing) advertisement for me.  Lots have inquired on purchasing one, but with the economy .... folks want everything cheap.  And no, I'm not going to cheapen my work.  I just did a customer request... and he was a happy camper.  Had her to wash it out and filled it with his favorite brew.  I approached him as I was leaving, and his SO stated how elated he was.  He couldn't stop talking about it. 

Now wouldn't you know it, I didn't take pictures of either one.  How bad of me for not snapping a picture before I gave them to the recipients.  I will have to take a picture of the bartenders next week when I go in to bowl.

Word of wisdom, get your money upfront when doing special orders.  I did 4 mugs during the holidays, and they are still riding around in the trunk of my car.  I called the guy that wanted them 2x and left messages.  Made numerous trips to the store and have not seen him there, although I was told in so many words that he still worked there.  One was for his manager.  I have no use for the mugs since they were personalized, so I may just go and give the manager his mug.  Never know... he might give me a discount on some other glassware for me to decorate.

Here are a few snapshots of some of the glasses that I have done.

Buzzed and Tipsy Wine Glasses

Personalized Coffee mug

 

Personalized Chicago Bears Beer Stein

U of A Beer Stein