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Hello Everyone! We are the gals from HowDoesShe? and are so thrilled to be back again this year to share one of our favorite Teacher Appreciation crafts with you!
Dollar Store
Teacher Appreciation Gifts
I used to teach Jr. High. Loved it, but struggled smiling sincerely during teacher appreciation week after opening up my 32nd ‘#1 teacher mug’. Okay maybe not 32 of them, but I got my fair share of them. I don’t mean to sound ungrateful because I know it’s the thought that counts and getting a kind gift from a teenager is pretty impressive.
Anyways, I was trying to think of something that for my daughter’s teacher that could be found at the dollar store and wouldn’t be taken to the teacher’s lounge and ‘accidentally’ left there.
So how about a teacher appreciation organizer…a cute classy organizer that would be fun and functional to have on a desk.
I started out with 4 square glass ‘pots’ or vases. They were in the vase section not the mugs and glass section of the dollar store…BTW
Have you ever used the reverse of vinyl? It works as a pretty snazzy stencil. No exact- o knife needed! Choose your font and…perfection!Cut out your vinyl and pull the back part off (as shown). Place it where you want the letters to be etched.
I used the etchall etching cream. Say that 5 times fast. You only use a little bit, so grab a few friends and do it together! The instructions say to use gloves…I am showing you the gloves…they weren’t on my hands apparently.
Glob some in the vinyl letter openings. Don’t get it on any other part of the glass.
Wait for 15 minutes. Run the glass under water removing all of the glob and then pull off the vinyl. It will look really clear and I thought I did it wrong until it dried. Do you see the letter ‘e’ ? That one is dry. The other letters are still wet and harder to see…until they dry.
PENCILS!
Add ribbon and pencils
and pens…
The middle one says clips and I did one that says candy. So…Pens, paper, clips and candy, but the pictures looked cuter with just the three.
These teacher appreciation gifts would be fast and thrifty to make for your kids teachers. My daughter is very excited to give hers to her teacher!
For more crafts, recipes, decor ideas, organization tips, and more, come on over to HowDoesShe! We’d love to have you!
Thanks again, Cindy! Have a wonderful day everyone!
You might also like these other teacher appreciation ideas.
Barbara (Barbee) Bosler says
Cindy:
Your Teacher etched containers are a great idea. I always like to receive useful gifts. Especially a hand made one. Don’t you just love the Dollar Store glassware???? I also like their mirror coaster tiles to etch.
Thank you for using etchall.
Many of your comments/questions seem to come from “how to make the stencils”…about reverse vinyl and where to get the etchall. I would appreciate if you would refer them to our site for information on making and using the stencils and getting the creme.
I know this is an old project but with school coming up it is great for right now. I would like to put it on our web site and have you as the designer. Also, I would like to send you an endorsement. Where/how????
God bless….Barbee……<
Luanne Pang says
this awesome! thanks for sharing this gift idea. love those pencil jars
Minnie says
Love, love, love it! I just do not know where to find vinyl letters?
Gwen says
You can purchase any of the vinyl letters as a stick on already stenciled shaped at any of your local craft stores. I had purchased some over the summer for another craft project I was working on and plan on using them with this one. My only question is where can you purchase the etchall etching cream at?
Vicki says
what a great idea…would love to try it but I’m afraid I’m a bit lost as to the instructions as well
Heidi says
I agree, excellent idea. I think I will use it as christmas gifts for the individuals I work with (business setting.) Can I get more information on the Vinyl part?
Beverly says
I think she may have used a cricut machine or something similar?
Sharon Ando says
I saw this on your website and thought it would be something the teachers would love. I did not know it would be so difficult to find the etchall cream or the stentils. Maybe you could be alittle clearer as to where thease products can be purchased.
Thanks,
Sharon