Friday, November 11, 2011

“Wanna come over and see my etchings?


Wanna see my etchings?

Holly design

 Who would believe such a line when it’s such a cliché?  But when I was young and oh so naïve believe it or not I fell for that very line.  Considering that I’m an artist I jumped at the invitation to enter the lion’s den in order to view his non-existent collection of etchings. 

After running around the couch 6 or 7 times I made a hasty retreat a bit wiser but fortunately no worse for wear.  Am I less naïve?  I don’t know, but please don’t try and sell me a bridge in Brooklyn.

My husband and I will be celebrating our 11th anniversary on Saturday.  12 years ago he knew that he didn’t need any tired old lines. He knew... Dare I say it?  Oh what the heck…”He had me at hello.”  Groan....

Years later…I am etching.  Acid etching that is, on recycled melted down at a very high temperature wine bottles to create original and unique holiday cheese trays.  My technique is quite simple…I wire and bead the neck and then etch an original design onto the glass.


 

I know it’s not paint, but it is art and since I haven’t participated in PAINT PARTY FRIDAY for a while due to other obligations…I figured I would join in once again.

look closely to see the etch

32 comments:

Dolly Daydreams said...

Another great post from you ! You crack me up ! Yes I remember that line but it never came from an artist though and I still went !!! Love your etchings !!! And it's all art to me ! Have a great anniversary.

Marie

Dolly Daydreams said...

Another great post from you ! You crack me up ! Yes I remember that line but it never came from an artist though and I still went !!! Love your etchings !!! And it's all art to me ! Have a great anniversary.

Marie

maddyrose said...

Happy anniversary. I love coming to your site because I almost always leave here happier than when I arrived. Your etchings are wonderful. I hope to be seeing more of them. Have a great weekend. Hugs

Anonymous said...

this is beautiful, you have so many talents and I think thats so romantic,,had me at hello,,, awwwwwwww,

Unknown said...

Okay.... I think I read this correctly. Are you saying that you were once drawn into a home to see some creepy dudes etchings that were non existant and you got out unharmed?? If so, that is a very very disturbing story.

Your bottles on the other hand are really nifty.

Anonymous said...

Your wine bottles recycled into trays are so beautiful. I love the etching. And I'm glad you escaped the non-etcher's clutches. Reminds me of a time as a teen ager when a sailor downtown said he wanted me to show him the town. I thought he meant literally and we walked around about an 8 block square, returning to the park I had been visiting. Then we went our separate ways. I guess he thought I was the most naive creature alive. Faye

Valerie-Jael said...

This is so impressive! In my youth we were told to beware of invitations to view stamp collections - probably the same trick, huh? Valerie

Anonymous said...

It certainly is art, these are lovely. How on earth do you melt the wine bottles down? They're so unusual and am sure would make great gifts. I love the story of the etchings - I can't believe a man actually used that line outside of a woody allen movie!

Leovi said...

I love this composition, a very interesting bottle. I wish you a happy weekend.

carlarey said...

Invited you up to see his etchings, and then chased you around the sofa...that is priceless. He probably thought he was so fantastic you wouldn't mind that there were no etchings.

These bottles are so cool. Do you melt the glass yourself?

Unknown said...

oh wow!!! these are amazing pieces Crystal!!!! wonderful work.....

Tammie Lee said...

wonderful that you learned to etch after unusual experiences. very cool art.

A'n'G Johnson said...

interesting line... and how great that you are able to now etch and reclaim that art form from its previous creepy factor

Lee Pierce said...

Crystal - these are great etchings! and wonderful gifts, too.

Happy Anniversary!

JKW said...

I love the etchings and the cheese platter idea. Happy Anniversary. Blessings, Janet PPF

Craftymoose Crafts said...

Happy Anniversary to you both! The glass bottles are wonderful and will make great gifts! The colored bottles look especially pretty!

HeARTworks said...

Happy Anniversary to you and your husband! Glad you were able to get out of the clutches of etching man without any etches..er, scratches! Great project with the cheese trays, very unusual! Patsy from
HeARTworks

Magic Love Crow said...

Crystal, these are amazing!! You should sell them in your shop!! Or would they be to heavy to ship? Oh, I really love them! Happy Anniversary ;o)

GlorV1 said...

Happy Anniversary to both of you and your bottles are awesome. Just love bottles like that. Thanks for sharing.

Rosie Kaplan said...

These are very clever. Lots of people slump bottles but to etch on them too. very good. And its very nice work too.

Judy Adamson said...

That's beautiful, Crystal - but you've left me with some many questions! Where did you learn to etch glass? Where do you get your melted down glass from? Are you selling them - if so, where :)

Carrie Waller Watercolors said...

Super cool! We tried to etch wine glasses as take home gifts for our wedding 10 yrs ago. It was not nearly as successful as yours:) Great idea and they are just lovely!!

EVA said...

Very cool technique! They look like they will make wonderful gifts.

Love the back stories!

Liz Revit said...

Happy anniversary, Crystal. Love the glass etchings. We must be on the same page regarding etching. Last week, I shared some photos of Rembrandt's etchings with the students in my art appreciation course. I also used to do a lot of etching on metal. It's interesting to see how many different materials may be etched.

Jenn Bower said...

Hahahaha! I always love your stories and your depth of creativity. You are so talented in so many ways. I can only imagine all the lovely gifts you can make. Have a super week.

Celeste Bergin said...

Just discovered your blog...what a good writer you are (the closet story! gadzooks!) I have a friend who illustrates her words too..I like that approach. The image always "seals the deal"

These clever bottles are sure to be popular.

Anonymous said...

Funny story : ) I love these cheese trays...what a great idea!
Happy Anniversary.

Catherine Denton said...

Beautiful! You are amazingly talented.
My Blog

Janice said...

Your holiday cheese trays are wonderful, a great gift for some lucky person.

Heather said...

Congratulations on your Anniversary!!!! YAY!!!!!!!!
I hope you had a wonderful day together!
These are cool cheese boards!!! I love that you can etch, too! You are one talented lady my friend!
xo

Crystal said...

To those who would like to etch their own glass... please read the blog post How I etch a glass ornament which gives instructions. To melt bottles you will need a kiln or someone who has one that can do it for you and taste for wine! lol :-)

angelself said...

Gosh, I love this idea. I have a small bead kiln...gonna see if I can fit some bottles in there ;) Kathryn

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