Featured Artisan: Creative Glass By Becky

Carousel Horse Glass Art By Becky Nowak

Today we are going to talk to Becky Nowak, a Middle Tennessee resident and owner of the new Etsy shop, Creative Glass By Becky

Becky is pretty new to Etsy and could sure use some local support, so please favorite her shop or follow her on pinterest if you have a moment. Now, let's hear from Becky about her crafts and see some pictures of her work.

Hummingbird Glass Art Block

I have always had my hands in many things, love learning new things or teaching myself. I love to "create" so I try to find different things to make all the time.

Now that I am retired I can devote a lot of my new found spare time to "create". It is such a great feeling to get in my craft room, sit down and start creating!




I have been doing "Gallery Glass" for several years. I self taught myself. I did many windows in my home and other homes as well. I sold them on a local Maury County Website. I offered at that time framed art and sun catchers. I also shared a booth with a friend and sold them @ Mule Day one year!

When I decided to start working with glass in many different forms, I made several of my "sand-art" vases. I LOVED the look that I got with the glitter and paint and how using different brushes and techniques, each one looks so different and beautiful.

Glass Block Purse Lamp

I live in Culleoka (Middle TN). We live in the country and we love it here. It is so beautiful with it's rolling hills and the people in our community are so friendly.

I usually get a lot of my crafting supplies at Hobby Lobby in Columbia, about 12 minutes north of where we live.

I have a Pinterest site pinterest.com/becksno/my-crafts/ 

I plan on introducing my line of 100% Pure Room Sprays, (I said I always have my hands into something)! I have been making these for several years for myself and I currently sell them at my massage therapist's office. They are made with Essential Oils of the finest quality and distilled water, all natural no synthetic anything.

Glass Glitter Vase

How To Get Started In Glass Etching

Etched Glass Plate by Eric Roberts

I've always been fascinated by the art of etching glass and wanted to try it, so I was delighted to be contacted by Eric Roberts, an artisan glass crafter about reviewing his new "Secrets of Glass Etching" ebook and website. Eager to find out the details and try out the techniques on some of my candles, I devoured the book and priced out the supplies. Much to my surprise, the basic materials for some of the starter techniques are very inexpensive! You can start glass etching today for an initial cost of about 50 dollars. The e-book cost starts at 19.00 and then about 30.00 for shipping and materials.

Let's get started by reviewing the ebook and what is information you will receive. Of course, you can always go to the library or buy a traditional paper book, but the ebook format is very convenient and easy to access. I like that it has click able links for supplies and videos. Traditional books don't provide the same level of information that can be had in video format.  After the book review, I will provide links to Eric's ebook and main website, where you can sign up for free patterns, watch videos, buy the book, and like him on Facebook.

The author and artisan, Eric, says this about how he got started, "I was always interested in arts and crafts since I was a little kid. Personalizing items was interesting to me, and I was always interested in starting a business that dealt with something creative. Basically, I was looking for a business idea and found an advertisement in an entrepreneur magazine which was selling equipment. Immediately I became attached to the idea because there is a ton of glass objects that can be personalized."

Eric Etches Glass With Etching Cream

So, what is all included in the book?
1) Basic descriptions and tutorial for several glass etching techniques. There are low cost and higher cost, but more professional looking options.

2) Step-by-step pictures of how to use the materials to etch glass.

3) Many examples of different objects to etch and projects you can make. There is everything from personalized mugs to candles with monogrammed initials.

4) Patterns and stencils, including actual pattern downloads or how to make your own to suit the different techniques.

5) Links to buy the basic supplies at the lowest cost.

6) An easy tip to enhance your projects to make your artwork more defined. with a click able link on where to buy the product.

There are also options to buy a membership where you can receive one-on-one technical support from Eric and get bonus videos emailed to you.

Eric Engraves with a Dremel Tool

Overall, I really enjoyed the simplicity of the book and the easy to understand pictures and lists of materials. The variety of projects was impressive and got me thinking of many things I could find around the house to practice on. Click able links for buying supplies is priceless. The ebook is straightforward and not confusing. This would be a great guide for anyone who wants the basics in a fuss free format with little technical jargon. It is written so that even the non-crafter can understand the beginner techniques. For the same price as a craft book from Amazon, this ebook is a great starting value.

Here are a few things I hope are included in revised editions:
-Tips and tricks for using the Dremel tool and where to buy glass engraving bits, along with a beginner guide to what is a Dremel and how does it work.
-Where can I buy a sandblaster for glass? How big is it? Is it noisy? Can I use it in my home?
-How to protect and care for etched glass objects. Can I wash the glasses in my dishwasher?
-More information about patterns, such as, how does contact paper work to make pattern? What kind of glue should I use for a regular stencil? Can I buy the vinyl patterns all ready cut out?

Finally, I would love it if Eric opened a supply shop on Etsy.com to sell glass etching creams and stencils.

Thanks so much for taking the time to write this ebook and contact me, Eric. I hope you get a ton of visits to your site!


The ebook ordering information is to the far right; however, you can access a lot of the basic information on the home page, plus see some supplies.
http://www.glassetchingsecrets.com/howtosteps.html

To follow Eric on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/glassetchingart?ref=stream