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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Everyone seems to be so on top of things for Mother’s Day and then Father’s Day rolls around and you’re scratching your head thinking, “How did it get here so fast?” At least, I hope it isn’t just me that this happens to. This year, I think I’ve finally figured out why. Father’s Day falls in the summer right after the kids have gotten out of school; your routine gets thrown for a loop, and before you can get things back under control BAM! It is upon you and you are so not prepared. This year, to help you (and me) out, I’ve curated a list of 20 DIYs for Father’s Day that range from simply printing out something to a more elaborate but inexpensive craft. No matter where you find yourself on the spectrum you will find something here to celebrate dad!

Get ready to rock your last-minute gifts! Here's a list of 20 DIYs for Father’s Day that range from simply printing something to an inexpensive craft.

[bctt tweet=”Get ready to rock your last-minute gifts with 20 DIYs for Father’s Day! #fathersday #diy” username=”diyadulation”]

Crafts

This awesome craft idea from Lynda Creates is so cool it would be a perfect gift anytime of year. It has all the components you’re looking for: useful, organized, and pretty!

If your dad is into cars, this easy art is the perfect gift for him. Get all of the details for how to make it over at Love, Create, Celebrate.

These DIY leather coasters, also from Love, Create, Celebrate, are practical and chic. Great for the dad who loves receiving useful gifts!

I absolutely love this punny papercraft from Crafting in the Rain! It pairs perfectly will a new drill bit set for dad.

Okay, can you say genius?! This DIY hammer coat rack from The Kim Six Fix is brilliant for storing more than just coats. Check out the other awesome uses for it on the post!

Got a papa that loves hitting the links on Father’s Day? Surprise him with these super-clever bookends from Ann’s Entitled Life!

If Dad is the grilling king, give him this awesome apron and delicious dry rub from Building Our Hive. If you’re lucky, he may even whip you up a delicious meal to say thanks!

Cards and Printables

This personalized photo card from Happy and Blessed Home is super sweet and easy to make. It is a great card for little ones to give.

Making your own greeting cards is such an easy way to give a thoughtful and personal gift. I love this one from Nutz About Stamping.

My papa loves drinking his soda from a glass bottle and these printables from Bargain Shopper Mom are an easy way to add some pizazz to a six pack for him.

This easy gift does double duty. Fill it with Dad’s favorite sweets and once he finishes them, he still has a useful cup to sip from. Find the printable at Simply Designing Porch.

You can also skip the tumbler altogether and just print out this bad boy from Baby Loving Mama. Slap it on Dad’s favorite candy bar and call it a day. It is the perfect easy gift for kids to give, too.

All of the free Father’s Day printables at the Crafty Blog Stalker are absolutely stunning. Print them out and frame them to have your perfect gift and card in one.

If you still want a traditional card to go along with your gift, these printable ones from The Joys of Boys are perfect. Simple, pretty, and to the point dads will love them.

You can also download this awesome one from yours truly! It is designed to print on a regular 8.5 x 11 sheet of white cardstock so there’s no trimming involved. Simply print on both sides and fold. Perfect for the tool-loving dad, let him know that he totally “nailed it”!

This is another great card from Nutz About Stamping! (She creates such great stuff.) Whether your dad’s into nautical stuff or not, he’ll love how beautiful it is.

Treats and DIY

If you’re looking to really spoil papa this year, this gift basket from Melly Moments is the way to go. Super cute, it’s filled with all kinds of fun stuff for the grill man.

Dads are hard workers! Give them a well-deserved pampering with this homemade dry hands salve from A Cultivated Nest.

Who doesn’t love rice crispy treats? This is a fun and festive way to dress up a classic. Find out how they’re made at SweepTight!

Last, but certainly not least, are these awesome “Man Pucks” from Homespun Engineer. They are super easy to make and super useful.

Now you have tons of options to totally surprise Dad this year. If you’re still craving more you can check out our Father’s Day page. You can also check out any of the Merry Monday link parties for tons of ideas and inspiration!

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