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Ballard Designs Knock-Off: Etched Silhouette Glassware

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When the February issue of Country Living arrived in my mailbox, I was happy to see it was the white issue. I had just completely undecorated my home, and the fresh, clean white designs in the magazine where just what I needed.

Country Living highlighted a few of their very favorite white accessories, and these etched silhouette hurricanes from Ballard Designs certainly caught my eye. I am obsessed with silhouettes, so when I love something, it becomes all I want until I get sick of it. Wait until you see what I’m going to show you in the next week or so…

Anyway, I only wanted the male version of the vase, but at $49, I really couldn’t justify it. Then, I remembered that I had my Silhouette machine and etching cream. I’ll be the first to admit that I’ve totally screwed up glass etching before (just ask my friend Kelly why she doesn’t have a full matching set of monogrammed glasses I gave her when she got married), so I was a little concerned about messing up a hurricane.

Well, Silhouette America came to my rescue! They now offer frosted vinyl that looks exactly like etched glass when you put it on clear glass or a mirror. I love that I can apply the frosted vinyl to get the look I want, and then remove it when I’m ready for a change.

I set out to make my Ballard Designs knock-off with a large hurricane that Tom and I had received as a wedding gift. It wasn’t footed like the Ballard hurricane, but it was free, so it was good enough. I googled “Victorian Man Silhouette” – lo and behold I found the EXACT same silhouette Ballard Designs used to make their etched version. Score!

With the Silhouette software, it’s easy to make a vinyl (or paper) cut out of a silhouetted shape. You simply open the picture in the software, open the trace window, and select the silhouetted shape as the area to trace. Then, uncheck “High Pass Filter” and select “Trace Outer Edge.” It’s really that easy.

Now that I had my outline, I added two ovals with the Ellipse Drawing Tool and I was ready to cut.


I didn’t realize that applying vinyl to such a large curved surface would be so difficult, and it was a miserable failure. I cut it 2 or 3 times and tried different application techniques, only to get folds in my vinyl. I’ll have to work on figuring out how to do that.

So, I went back to the drawing board and remembered that I had a lovely square glass bowl that we also received as a wedding gift. I cut two smaller versions of my silhouette design (since I figured I’d screw one of them up!) and applied only one on the inside of one of the bowl’s sides.

I am really happy with the way it turned out. I think the juxtaposition of the vintage-themed silhouette with the modern lines of the bowl is really fun. What do you think?

P.S. Silhouette is running a great promotion this month! If you go here and use the code LINDSAY, you can purchase your very own Silhouette SD machine package that includes 2 rolls of premium vinyl, 1 roll of transfer paper and a CD of Home Decor designs. This is a $395 value, but the code lets you grab it for $225!  This promotion runs through January 22nd.

P.P.S. Already have a Silhouette SD but need more vinyl – if you are like me, you can never have enough! Go here and use the code LINDSAY to purchase the premium vinyl (the indoor/outdoor stuff) for 25% off. This promotion runs through January 22nd.

About Lindsay Ballard

Lindsay Ballard is a former college mascot turned political geek turned roller derby playing, DIY fanatic.

Lindsay chronicles her projects, design ideas, and lifestyle tips here at Makely, where she shares tutorials and inspiration. Her DIY designs are bold and graphic, while her spirit is fun and full of color.

Comments

  1. Marisa says

    Congrats on finding the exact same silhouette! I wonder if the Ballard Designs people have a Silhouette, too? 😉 Seriously, I’ve seen so many “Ballard Designs Knock Off” posts around blogland, I wonder why anyone would pay Ballard prices.

    Great post!

    Reply

  6. cc says

    I have a *gasp* cricut but I’ve had it since before the cool new Silhouette was out. Anyway, I always use their vinyl transfer paper/tape to apply larger or complicated vinyl designs. You didn’t mention using anything like that in this project. It just applies over the cut-out before you remove it from the cutting mat. Peel away, and now apply to your surface. you can work out all of your bumps and bubbles- then… remove it. Your beautiful cutout is all set and perfectly applied.

    Reply

    • Lindsay says

      Yeah, we use that with the Silhouette vinyl, too. My problem stems from applying a large vinyl to a convex surface. Any tips on that? I watched a YouTube video, but my design was larger than the one on the video and it still didn’t work for me.

      Reply

      • cc says

        that transfer stuff is great, right? ok, so I am totally in love with my x-ato knife. I have used it on a few vinyl tasks so simply slit and score the portion that won’t lay flat. I make the cut, then over-lap the vinyl. then, make the cut again – and peel back to remove the excess. trim with the blade as necessary to “clean” it up. if you have a nice, sharp blade, you often don’t notice the tailoring.

        Reply

  9. Mary-Grace says

    Oh, I love this! That looks sooooo much easier than the way I’ve been doing my silhouettes, tracing them out by hand on my iPad using SketchBook. It takes forever!

    Thanks for sharing:)

    Reply

  12. Melanie says

    I’ve been a Cricut gal for three years, and have used a ton of vinyl! The tip that has worked the best for me is to use a hair dryer to help with the vinyl application. Just blow the heat on the vinyl as you apply it. It not only smooths out the wrinkles and bubbles, but it also makes the vinyl adhere better (it still peels right off when you’re ready). I hope that can be of help for you!

    ~your fellow crafty Pleasant Grover! =)

    Reply

  14. Eric says

    Just discovered your site and I love it! I am reaching out to sites I like and want to see if you would provide feedback on my etching supplies if I sent them to you free. Can you let me know if you are interested by email? Shipping of the supplies will be free as well. I look forward to hearing from you. I can’t wait to hear from you! Eric

    Reply

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