Easy Halloween Crafts: Etched Pumpkin Ornaments

This Halloween craft is easy and inexpensive to make. The ornaments, when finished, look great hanging in multiples from a long strand of raffia or hung alone in a door way. Clean up is easy as well, and this Halloween craft project is a good choice for a group or family activity. However, because of the glass and hot water used in the project, supervision is needed with young children. The supplies for this project can be found at most craft stores, and some of the decorative items might be found around your house.

Supplies Needed
Clear glass ornaments-round
Tracing paper
White vinegar
Sharp knife-X-Acto is best
Contact paper
Carbon paper
Etching Cream
Natural bristle paintbrush
Spoon
Rubber Gloves
Small pumpkin face stencil (or draw your own pumpkin face on white paper and cut out pattern)

Suggested Decorative Items
Raffia
Leaves
Black Ribbon
Black and Orange Confetti
Candy Corns

Begin by cleaning all of the glass ornaments in hot water and vinegar. The etching cream needs a clean oil-free surface for application, so be sure to keep your fingerprints off of the area to be etched as well. Lay the contact paper down, placing the carbon paper on top. Lay the tracing paper on top of that. Trace your pattern onto the contact paper. Cut the pieces out from the contact paper. Arrange the pattern and apply to the glass ornament. Snip the edges of the contact paper to help the paper lay flat. Use the spoon to smooth down the contact paper, pressing lightly! Read the directions on the etching cream carefully, as different brands may be slightly different. For protection and easy clean up put on your rubber gloves before applying the cream. After the etching cream has set, rinse off the ornament with warm water and remove the contact paper.

When the ornament is dry, get creative. Tie some raffia and black ribbon from the top and hang in a doorway. Try braiding large strands of raffia and attaching several ornaments and dried leaves to the length of it, then hanging it on a wall or your front door. The ornaments can be filled with many kinds of items as well. Candy corn filled ornaments look really fun, while black and orange confetti filled ornaments are great for party decorations! When the ornaments are filled, the etching pattern stands out more intensely. Be creative and let your ornaments make Halloween spooktacular!