I love to cook.
I’m happy to bring something (or a couple of somethings) to a potluck.
I am not happy when I don’t get my Pyrex back again…
There is no such thing as Dish Karma. If you lose one, another doesn’t show up as a random act of dish replacement. The Land of Lost Pyrex is right down the street from The Land of Single Socks.
I’m sure this is a no brainer for many people out there, but the best and easiest way to get your dish back is to mark your name on it.
Permanently.
Etched into the glass.
Glass etching cream can be purchased in any craft store.
First, you’ll need to make or use a stencil. (** Note, if you don’t have a Cricut or a stencil, I’ll show you how to do this without one at the end of this post.**)
Take your Cricut and set it to FLIP. You are going to want your letters to print backwards.
Take a sheet of contact paper and spell your name backwards. You are basically making a mirror image of your name.
Peel the letters off so that you are left with your stencil.
Take the stencil and center it on the bottom of your pyrex dish. When you flip it over, you should be able to read your name just fine.
Flip it back over and apply a thick layer of the glass etching cream.
Let it sit about 10 minutes or so.
Peel off the stencil and wash off the etching cream.
When it’s done, it should look like this.
Since it is on the bottom of the pan, you never have to worry about food getting stuck in there or anything like that.
Never lose another casserole/baking dish.
**Now, no Cricut or stencil? No worries.**
Hand write your name with a dark marker. Tape the paper into the dish you want to etch.
When you flip the dish upside down, you’ll see the outline of the name, backwards.
Using the backward letters as your guide, just free hand the etching cream onto the bottom of the dish. Let it sit, then wash it off.
You may find that the letters are etched a bit unevenly. No worries.
Dry the dish and brush on a little bit more of the cream in the areas you think you need it.
Viola! Not perfect, but it will help you to keep your dishes.
If you’re realllllly ambitious (which I’m not) you could make a stencil of a favorite recipe and etch it into the bottom of a dish. If you were ambitious. (But then again, that’s why there are recipe cards.)
Cherie@DragonfliezCreationz says
very nice job.
Now.. how do you keep your casserole dishes so clean π
Cherie
Deneen says
Great idea! Hey I am doing a giveaway….check it out!
kara@elements-interiors.net says
OMGosh girlfriend!!! I have a Post sitting in “Draft” where I used this Etching cream!!! Im having a LOVE AFFAIR with this stuff…And that is NOT good because that stuff is EXPENSIVE!!! I LOVE your idea here, the use of it…mine is different…I LOVE THIS!!! SO DOING!
I NEED one of those Printer thingys too! I see everyone using them and I LOVE it! Are they SUPER EXPENSIVE???
love it pretty girl!
xoxokara
Lisa says
I just LOVE etching cream. I want to etch everything..lol I have a few pyrex dishes I am definitely going to mark my dishes with my ‘brand’ Nice job!
She Made It Crafts says
Love this! thanks for such a practical tip!
Connie says
This is a great idea!!
How much do you change to print out my name and mail it to me?
Shawn says
Very cool, I didn’t know such stuff existed.
You are too smart to be my friend and you leave me wondering what it is that I bring to the friendship table that makes you want to stick around…it has got to be my stunning beauty!
Xazmin says
I love it! I have seen this a lot (here in Mormonville, we are experts at labeling potluck dishes!), but I have never done it. I love your tip on how to do it without a stencil too! I never would have thought of that! I might do it that way, just because I’m too lazy to use a cricut!
Lori E says
This is a great idea. Would be good for dishes that go to work for lunches too.
craftycreative says
This is a beyond awesome idea!! All the money saved on buying new Pyrex pans can be channeled into something more useful π
Lori E says
I finally noticed you FB page too. I “liked” it from my own Facebook and my Blog’s Facebook pages. I don’t know if they will show up separately though.
Jayna Rae says
You are one smart cookie.
High Street Cottage says
Hi Viv, I have the honor of being your “linky neighbor” over at Coastal Charm, thank you for the awesome tip. I have used address labels in the past, sticking them to the bottom of a bowl etc. This is a marvy idea, have a wonderful week, xoxo tami
Keetha Broyles says
That is beautiful! I’d like that just for decoration.
Here’s how I make sure to keep all MY pyrex bakeware – – – I take MY casseroles to the potluck in a DISPOSABLE TINFOIL PAN!!!
π
Not very pretty – – – but very effective.
Happier Than a Pig in Mud says
Great idea! Would be fun for gifts too:@)
MiMi says
You. Are. A. Genius.
I’m pretty sure you could fix the worlds’ problems if you were president. I’m voting for you in 12!!!
mama-face says
I’m so excited I’m gonna pee my pants. I’VE DONE THIS!!! woo to the hoo.
But, now I just take food in those disposable foil pans from the grocery store. Then I don’t have to remember, and neither do they.
loves ya.
Faye says
I had to take a look, the name looked familiar…that’s my maiden name! Great idea!
Faye
WildRoseVintage
mybelleepoque says
This is so great! I will for sure have to try this!
Mamarazzi says
Brilliant!! i cannot tell you how many dishes i have floating out there.
Jessica Lauren says
what a smart idea! nice job!
Sarah, Three Boys says
Your a genius! I love this idea:)
shortmama says
Brilliant!
Happy Cottage Quilter says
Wow this is a fabulous idea!! I never have heard of this product before, but you can be sure I will be on the look out for it! Thanks for sharing.
Linda@Coastal Charm says
Thanks so much for sharing this neat idea…I so need to try this.
Blessings,
Linda
Impulsive Addict says
So because I’m white trash, I usually just take a sharpie and write my name on the dish. But I assure you that my handwriting is very neat.
Will you still be my friend?
...love Maegan says
ummmmmm, that’s AMAZING!!! so smart! {and cute!}
Ashley (January's June) says
What a great idea!!
Flour Me With Love says
This is such a great idea, I can’t wait to try it!
Kristina says
Such a great idea! I’m always trying to hunt down my dishes…must try!
Kristina J.
Cannary Family says
This is so smart! I like method #2 and am going to go get me some of that etching cream! This would be great for my mom who takes food to weekly dominoes games…
Cranberry Morning says
This is an excellent idea! Etching cream is now on my purchase list. Found you on Anything Related. π
Jenny from Crossing the Bugger-Dixon Line says
seriously brilliant!
Kelly @ JAX does design says
What a great idea! It’s not only a great way to make sure you know which dish is yours, but it looks pretty cool too π
Mary says
Wow. I really love this! I would like to invite you to post this at my link party Masterpiece Monday, at my blog, Boogieboard Cottage. Have a great week! Mary :O)
Holly says
Brilliant! That’s a very cool idea. I haven’t tried the etching cream yet…looks like fun!
Jena @ Involving Color says
Vivienne, this is such a great idea! I might have to try this. I’ve been having so much fun browsing around your blog. I’m a new follower.
drollgirl says
well this is genius and it looks FAB!!!
my sister and i are forever swapping tupperware containers when we get together. but we trust each other to get them back, or we know we can yell at each other if we don’t!
Becca says
Brilliant!! This may be something I can do – maybe!
And momma- you are moving into the land of famousdom!! Featured on many blogs ad look at all the comments!
Woo-Whee!
~Becca
Liz @ Sugarplum Creations says
Thank you for this! I am soooo bad about getting my Pyrex back, and that just makes me sad π
jennykate77 says
FABULOUS idea!! I remember using that glass etching stuff in art class…never would have thought of that…that’s why I have you!
Everytime I see your last name it makes me think of my town…Wagoner…just add an “O”.
Tammy @ Type A says
that is pure genius! thanks so much for sharing this at my party!!
Kelly says
I love this! I’d love if you linked this up to my very fist link party! http://runwithglitter.blogspot.com/2011/03/glitters-first-linky-party_22.html
Tabitha says
Very cool! Thanks for showing it with and without a Cricut for those of us who don’t have one. π
Jenna @ Copy Cat Corner says
I love this idea and it would be perfect for wedding gifts with a casserole recipe!!!
Ashley says
it’s official! You are a genius! Every woman should do this, so amazing! Thanks for linking it up!
Jennifer says
Love it! We have the opposite problem at our church….no one takes their dishes home!!!
(Saw this on the Eisy Morgan linky!)
Myya says
BRILLIANT! Miss V, You.Are.BRILLIANT!!
Jensamom23 says
This is simple genius!
Heather says
What a great idea! I also did this on the glass plates found at the dollar store and labeled a plate for each family member for Thanksgiving. After dinner we loaded up the plates with leftovers and everyone took them home!
Rachael @ The Little Birdie says
BOTH so cute… and a great idea. My Grama always wrote her name in sharpie on the end of her pans, but this is a much prettier and (and permanent!) solution! Thanks for linking up at The Little Birdie! π
Krystyn says
Holt cow…look at those comments.
What a great idea!
And, now I see you are setting up an etsy store? You are going to be a busy girl!
MeMeSue says
I love this idea! I have used the etching cream years ago (for my wedding actually) on some champagne flutes and also Christmas ornaments. Going to give this one a go since my SIL loves to “steal” my containers!
Judy says
What a smart idea. Thanks so much for sharing at my Swing into Spring party.
kpmattingly says
I did this at Christmas time. Love how you ‘free hand’ version turned out too!
Kim @ Savvy Southern Style says
What a very creative idea. So so smart! Great tutorial, too. Thanks so much for sharing this at WUW.
Nicole says
This is such a great idea! Thanks for including that idea for us non-cricut people! π Thanks for linking up to Thrifty Thursday….you have such wonderful projects!
Amanda @ Serenity Now says
LOVE this idea, and I think it is so great that you included an option for readers who don’t own a Cricut or a Silhouette! I have an etched glass pie plate, but I’m not crazy about the design. I think I need to save up for some etching cream—cause it’s expensive. π
Thanks so much for joining my Crafty Cutter party. π Have fun finding some crafty inspiration, and I hope you’ll visit me at Serenity Now again soon. π I have a new Silhouette project up today! π
Suzanne says
What a wonderful idea! And so easy!! I can’t wait to try this.
At The Picket Fence says
What a great idea! I have a pie plate that recently disappeared into never never land and this would definitely have helped! Thanks so much for linking this up to Inspiration Friday this week!
Vanessa
alison says
you.are.brilliant….why did i never think of this myself? thanks so much for sharing this idea on fridays unfolded…off to buy some etching medium…
blessings,
alison
stuff and nonsense
BigBearswife says
looks great! i love the way etched glass looks!
Lindsey @ Inspiring Creations says
I was actually given one of these for a wedding gift and I use it all the time! Thanks for the tutorial!
The Grown-Ups Table says
Smart smart smart! Now if only I could etch onto socks lol! I have everything to do this project! Thanks so much, your newest follower!
Sommer says
Dang girl how do you manage to come up with such great stuff and make it into the first slot at the party each week? LOL. This is awesome! I’m pretty sure I’ll be etching all my glassware now lol. Thanks for linking up Viv, you’re the best!
Danielle says
Great idea!
Blog hopping! I’m your new follower and would love a follow back! http://www.adeliciousobsession.com Thanks!
Faith, Trust, and a Little Pixie Dust says
I was given one of these dishes (already etched with my name) & I LOVE it! It was great to read your clear tutorial on how to do it myself. Thanks for sharing.
Warmly, Michelle
Courtney ~ French Country Cottage says
What a super fantastic idea V !! LOVE this!! I love things that are monogrammed… etching your name into your casserole dish is ingenious! Thanks for the tutorial and for sharing at Feathered Nest Friday! π
Sue@creativetryals.blogspot.com says
Brilliant – much fancier than an address label.
Thanks for sharing.
Found you on tater tots…
Robin says
WOW! This is a fantastic idea! This could be a great gift idea, too! Thanks for sharing!
tale of many cities says
such a great idea!
vldecker says
Love this idea! I don’t do many potlucks, but it still is pretty cool.
kara@elements-interiors.net says
Girl…You KNOW I LOOOOOOOOOOOOVE this! Im DOING IT!
Thank you for linking this up to WHASSUP WEDNESDAY!
Hope to see you next Wednesday:)
xoxokara
Allison {A Glimpse Inside} says
They look great! Awesome idea! Thanks for linking up to my Catch a Glimpse party!
Katrina says
I really like this! I’m going to be “saving” this and hopefully doing this in the near future! π
Twins Squared says
What an awesome idea! I just ordered a Sillhouette. This will surely be one of my first projects when it arrives.
Beverly @ FlamingoToes.com says
These are so fun!! I really need to try and etch something!! π
Thanks so much for linking this up to Think Pink Sundays!!
Kim @ It's a Crafty Life says
Fabulous idea!
Bec@littlelucylu says
Great idea!
I’m your newest follower! π
Bec
Jenni says
that is an awesome idea!!!! won’t ever leave a party without my dish again!!!!
Shandra Lenae says
Oh, this is great! As if I didn’t need another great reason to buy myself a Cricut! I can’t wait to use this idea, Thanks!
TheFamilyThatPlaysTogether.com
MessyMissy says
Fantastic idea. I’m afraid I’m in the no-cricut crowd….thanks for the alternative!!
gail@myrepurposedlife.net says
I did this for my daughter jamie a couple of years ago for Christmas, I sort of hinted to her before hand and she asked me to put “jamie” not our last name… I guess she knew she’d be getting married soon and didn’t want her maiden name on it. lol
great job!
gail
Stephanie Coppedge says
What Cricut Cartridge did you use for the first one?
Jodie says
What a fantastic idea! Thanks for the tutorial
Warm Wishes,
Jodie
Laurie@The Baking Bookworm says
What a great idea! I’m forever worrying that I’ll forget to get my pyrex back from other people. You could even use this idea just to pretty-up your dishes too! Thanks for the idea!
Bernadette @agirlandherhome says
Such a great idea..much beter than a Sharpie!
thanks,
Bernadette @ agirlandherhome.blogspot.com
Carmina says
Quick question, do you have any problems with the etching after it’s been in the oven?