Custom etched mugs are an easy and inexpensive gift idea. That is why you see them as Father’s Day, Christmas, Birthday, and even groomsmen’s gifts. Unfortunately, most of the tutorials that you see for them require cutting a stencil out of vinyl to adhere to your mug. What do you do if you don’t have any vinyl or you are still waiting for that cutting machine? That is what I wanted to find out so I made DIY etched mugs without vinyl stencils. I tried 2 different methods to see which worked best: a plastic stencil and sticker outlines. Find out the outcome and my tips below.

Affiliate links may be used in this post. Ordering a product through these links may result in a commission at no extra cost to you. Read the full disclosure here.

Make DIY etched mugs without vinyl stencils. I tried 2 different methods to see which worked best. See the tutorials and find out the outcome (+ tips).

[bctt tweet=”Make DIY etched mugs without vinyl stencils. 2 different methods (+ tips) #diy #crafts #etchedmugs” username=”diyadulation”]

Method 1: Plastic Stencil

Materials

Clear Glass Mug (I got mine at the Dollar Tree)
Etching Solution
Gloves
Plastic Stencil (I used this one)
Clear Packing Tape
Paintbrush

Make DIY etched mugs without vinyl stencils. I tried 2 different methods to see which worked best. See the tutorials and find out the outcome (+ tips).

Step 1

First, make sure that your mug is clean. Giving it a quick wipe down with a damp cloth is sufficient.

Make DIY etched mugs without vinyl stencils. I tried 2 different methods to see which worked best. See the tutorials and find out the outcome (+ tips).

Step 2

Place your stencil on your mug where you would like the design and tape into place with your packaging tape.

Make DIY etched mugs without vinyl stencils. I tried 2 different methods to see which worked best. See the tutorials and find out the outcome (+ tips).

Step 3

Before doing anything else, put on protective gloves. You don’t want to get the etching solution on your skin.

Make DIY etched mugs without vinyl stencils. I tried 2 different methods to see which worked best. See the tutorials and find out the outcome (+ tips).

Step 4

Open your etching solution and apply over your stencil using a paintbrush.

Tip:

Brush towards the center of your stencil openings. This will help keep the solution from getting under the stencil and give you cleaner lines.

Step 5

Allow to sit according to the time on your etching solution directions.

Step 6

Put your gloves back on and rinse off your solution. Once the bulk of it is off, remove your stencil and rinse off any remaining solution.

Make DIY etched mugs without vinyl stencils. I tried 2 different methods to see which worked best. See the tutorials and find out the outcome (+ tips).

Step 7

Dry your mug and you are finished.

Method 2: Sticker Outline

Materials

Clear Glass Mug
Letter Stickers
Gloves
Etching Solution
Paintbrush

Make DIY etched mugs without vinyl stencils. I tried 2 different methods to see which worked best. See the tutorials and find out the outcome (+ tips).

Step 1

Again, make sure your mug is clean.

Make DIY etched mugs without vinyl stencils. I tried 2 different methods to see which worked best. See the tutorials and find out the outcome (+ tips).

Step 2

Cut out the stickers that you want to use. Be sure to leave excess around the edges.

Make DIY etched mugs without vinyl stencils. I tried 2 different methods to see which worked best. See the tutorials and find out the outcome (+ tips).

Step 3

Pull off only the inverse of the letters and stick them to your mug where you want your design.

Tip:

Remember to add the centers of letters that have openings.

Step 4

Before doing anything else, put on protective gloves. You don’t want to get the etching solution on your skin.

Step 5

Open your etching solution and apply over the inside of the sticker outlines using a paintbrush.

Step 6

Allow to sit according to the time on your etching solution directions.

Step 7

Put your gloves back on and rinse off your solution. The sticker outlines will soften and wash off along with the solution.

Make DIY etched mugs without vinyl stencils. I tried 2 different methods to see which worked best. See the tutorials and find out the outcome (+ tips).

Step 8

Again, dry your mug and you are finished.

Make DIY etched mugs without vinyl stencils. I tried 2 different methods to see which worked best. See the tutorials and find out the outcome (+ tips).

Both of these methods for DIY etched mugs without vinyl were successful. However, the sticker outlines method resulted in cleaner lines. The removal of the sticker outlines and etching solution is also much easier. Also, both of these methods work if you only have stencils or stickers available to you. My overall opinion is to go with stickers if you have them. They seal everywhere which results in a beautiful, clean design. Have any DIY alternatives you want tackled? Let me know in the comments and I’ll see what I can come up with!

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How many times has your husband asked you where his charger is? If you don’t know, then one of you is digging through a drawer of cords hoping to find an extra one that fits his phone. It’s frustrating and eats up valuable time that you don’t have. Save time and energy by storing your chargers in a DIY leather charging cord organizer. The adjustable leather cord holds your charging cords and wall adapters to keep everything organized in one place. It makes traveling easier because you can grab it and go, confident that you have what you need. Additionally, it is so easy to make that it is a perfect DIY gift!

Affiliate links may be used in this post. Ordering a product through these links may result in a commission at no extra cost to you. Read the full disclosure here.

[bctt tweet=”DIY leather charging cord organizer keeps your cords and wall adapters in one place! #diy #organizer” username=”diyadulation”]

Materials

Scrap Leather
Leather Cord
Hole Punch
Brad
Scissors
Needle and Thread

Step 1

Trim a piece of scrap leather into a rectangle. It can be any size you like but I recommend no smaller than 12 inches by 5 inches.

Tip:

You can be a precise as you would like but don’t feel like you have to be. Having some irregularities adds a more rustic touch to your organizer.

Step 2

Punch a hole in the center edge of the right side of your rectangle.

Note:

A traditional paper punch may not be strong enough to do this. I used my Crop-A-Dile Big Bite and had no problem. A leather punch would also work well.

Step 3

Fold your leather in half lengthwise and cut notches every two inches with your scissors. Make sure that you have an odd number of notches that are large enough to thread your leather cording through.

Step 4

Unfold your leather and thread your cording through. Start by threading the cord through your punched hole and next continue weaving back and forth through the notches.

Tip:

Only leave enough of the leather cording through the punched hole to secure it to your organizer. The excess cording should be at the opposite end.

Step 5

Push your brad through the punched hole with the prongs coming through the inside of your organizer. Fold out the prongs over the cording to secure them.

Step 6

Place a few stitches through your organizer and cording end at the brad to secure the cording thoroughly. You don’t want it pulling out when you tighten the cord around your chargers.

Step 7

Cut a small square of leather out of a piece that you trimmed off in step 1.

Step 8

Center the leather square over the cording and brad on the inside of your organizer.

Step 9

Secure the leather square into place by sewing a whipstitch around the edges.

Tip:

For a cleaner look, do not stitch all of the way through your organizer. Instead thread about halfway into your organizer leather and pull back up through your leather square. This is so that your stitches are not visible on the outside of your organizer.

Step 10

Lastly, add your charging cords and adapters and tighten your cording.

Step 11

Roll up your DIY leather charging cord organizer and wrap the excess cording around the outside to secure.

[bctt tweet=”Need a gift for your guy? This DIY Leather Charging Cord Organizer is perfect! #diy #giftidea” username=”diyadulation”]

This is such an easy and inexpensive way to organize all of your chargers in one place. You can change the look to fit your style by using a different color of leather for your organizer or cording. A DIY leather charging cord organizer is also a perfect DIY gift for the guys in your life. It is handsome and practical to delight even the most difficult men to shop for. If you want to make one for everyone on your gift list, opt for buying a yard of leather instead of using a scrap piece. Then you can cut all of your organizers at once and have enough to make them in bulk! I’d love to hear who you would make yours for. Let me know in the comments!

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As you read in Unique DIY Advent Mailboxes, I love to weave activities into our Advent gifts. I also love to create beautiful packages to delight the kiddos no matter what’s inside. This is easier than you might think. Get awesome ideas to create memories with your Advent gifts or feel free to steal our exacting gifting schedule this season!

[bctt tweet=”Find out how to make memories with your Advent gifts this year! #ad @OrientalTrading #advent” username=”diyadulation”]

Advent Packages Materials

Christmas 12×12 Paper Pack
Stocking Stuffer Assortment
Hershey’s Miniatures
Double-Sided Tape
Green Curling Ribbon
Scissors
Hole Punch
Bronze Sharpie Marker

Step 1

Organize your gifts from the stocking stuffer pack by type. This will allow you to determine how many of each item you have and decide which ones you want to use as gifts.

Step 2

Write it down. Number a sheet of paper from 1-24 and determine what gifts and activities will be given on specific dates.

Tip:

Be sure when choosing gifts to check that they fit in your Advent mailboxes.

Step 3

Create pouches for the gifts using your scrapbook paper. To do this, measure the gifts on the paper. Cut a strip that is an inch wider than the gift.

Step 4

Next, fold the strip of paper in half.

Step 5

Unfold the paper and add double-sided tape to the edges of your pouch.

Step 6

Fold your paper back up and press on the taped edges to seal.

Step 7

Once your pouch is sealed, fold your top down and punch 2 holes in the top center of your pouch. See picture for reference.

Step 8

Next add your gift to the pouch and fold the flap back down.

Step 9

Cut a length of curling ribbon and thread it through the punched holes.

Step 10

Lastly, tie the ribbon in a bow to secure.

Step 11

Before putting your gift in a basket to store, number it with the appropriate date with your bronze Sharpie.

Step 12

Continue steps 3-11 until all of your gifts are wrapped and labeled.

Advent Activities

For these gifts I simply write the activity on a strip of paper and attach a piece of candy with a piece of double-sided tape. The exception to this is the “Minivan Express” which is our family’s favorite Christmas tradition. You can read more about it at the link above and also get free printable tickets there. She provides you with multiple ideas for your Minivan express night. Our family goes to look at Christmas lights in our area each year. I also choose to make our tickets because it is something I enjoy. You do not have to take the time to do this. However, if you would like to make your own this year I’ve made it super easy:

Step 1

Cut a red piece of 12×12 paper from your Christmas pack into 3 even strips.

Note:

This will make 3 tickets. If you have more children, you will need to cut an additional sheet.

Step 2

Fold each strip of paper in half and place double-sided tape on the white sides (or use a glue runner). Press firmly to secure.

Step 3

Color the edges of your tickets with your bronze Sharpie.

Tip:

Get crisp, even lines by folding a scrap piece of paper over the ticket leaving only the edge you want to color exposed.

Step 4

Next, write, “Minivan Express: Good for 1 Round-Trip” in the center of each ticket also with your bronze Sharpie.

Step 5 (Optional)

Because of the surprise element of the Minivan Express (we hide the tickets under the pillows for them to find at bedtime on the pre-determined night), the Advent gift for this day is the kaleidoscopes. Christmas lights look really cool when you look at them through the kaleidoscopes so this gift will be fun when your kids open it and then extra fun on the Minivan Express.

As promised, before you go, here is our exact Advent schedule this year. Feel free to steal ideas from it for your own family.

Coloring Set
Christmas Family Game Night
Bracelets
Candy
Make Ornaments
Card Games
Punch Balloon
Festival of Lights
Kick Sack
Candy
Mazes
Make Gingerbread Houses
Rubber Ducks
Puzzles
Christmas Movie Night
Candy
Kaleidoscopes (Minivan Express)
Candy
Yo-yo’s
Christmas Campout
Coloring Books
Christmas Photo Booth Night
Candy
Read The Night Before Christmas

Now that you are ready to create memories with your Advent gifts I want to hear from you. What is your favorite Advent activity? Let me hear about your traditions in the comments and don’t forget to check out Oriental Trading for all of your Christmas needs this year!

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