Silhouette acrylic etching Archives

I’ve just arrived home from the November All Things Silhouette Conference for 2019 and so many ideas are hitting me. I am making notes for when I get a chance to start creating again.

I wanted to share a project I created and put in the Silhouette Showcase room at the conference.

This is an acrylic etched with the Silhouette Curio. It is a lighted base that can be found at Craft Chameleon and the acrylic is specifically sized for the base.
This is one of my favorite ones that I have etched for the base.

Acrylic light base by Craft Chameleon found HERE

There are several different acrylic shapes that fit in the lighted bases and also Curio Templates for all those shapes.
I LOVE the Curio templates to help hold my blanks in place!

Thank you to Craft Chameleon for allowing me “test” this one out for them to share with everyone at the ATS – Showcase.

I couldn’t stop there though. I etched 150 of the 15/16″ acrylic discs and gave those out to the attendees of all the Ultimate ATS attendees for the Friday classes in their goody bags.

For these I added a wine charm to the bag but they could also add it to a key chain or other type of hardware too!

I had a few extras and turned mine into a pair of earrings that I wore this weekend too!

And yes, there is a Curio template for these charms too! I was able to etch 10 charms at a time.

And I want to share this with all of you because I think it is so neat.
I was able to use my Business Edition software to connect to 6 different Curio machines to etch 30 snowflake ornaments during the conference.
It’s a long story on why but where else do you get access to a room full of Curios.
Next time, I’ll try even more!

Are you just getting started with the Curio? I recommend starting with the Silhouette metal etching sheets and practicing first.
Here is a step by step tutorial on how I do that – Beginner Curio Etching Metal.

Want to learn how to etch on acrylic? I just recently launched an online class on my Teachable site to show you how.
Check it out HERE along with my other classes that are available.

Or if that is not enough, come join us for a full weekend of Curio projects on May 1-3, 2020 at the Curio Retreat in Woodbridge, VA!
Grab your seat quick as we are already over 50% full!

I would love to see your projects feel free to post on my Facebook group at Silhouette Secrets with EllyMae.

Enjoy!

**This post may contain affiliate links. What that means is that I may receive compensation if you purchase through the links I have provided. The price you pay for the product or service is not higher but I may get compensated for sharing.

The Emboss Panel is such neat feature. Currently, it is only available to those who have plugged in a Curio machine.

It can be found on the right side of the Silhouette Studio v4 software and looks like a star with a shadow.

Since this is a currently a Curio feature only, if you have not plugged a Curio into your computer, the Panel will be grayed out. If you hover over the icon, you get this message.

So keep that in mind if you are looking at it along with me.

Deboss – the design will be created as seen on the screen & will press the design down into the material exactly as seen on screen.
For example, if using cardstock, it will create a valley where the design is.
Emboss – the design is flipped horizontally so it is mirrored BUT it does not show this on the screen. You will place your material face down on the embossing mat and the design will be pressed mirrored. When it’s finished, you will flip it over and the design should be raised on the side that was face down on the mat.
F – This tells you which way to put the material on the mat. For deboss, put the material face up.

For emboss, put the material face down.
Embossing Patterns – Choose between 5 options: none, lined, concentric, cross hatched, or spiral.
Lined

Concentric

Cross hatched

Spiral

Each design will vary in which pattern may look better for the emboss. Again it is a matter of personal preference. I prefer the look of the cross hatched pattern, especially when etching on acrylic. But, that is just my preference, you should play with the patterns and decide what you like.
Spacing – Increase or decrease the grid spacing between the lines of the pattern. This is 0.005 spacing – a really tight DebossIf we zoom in on the design, you will see the pattern.

Here the deboss is 0.025.

This is another area where you are changing a lot of data at one time, so be patient with your computer if it is thinking.
If the pattern spacing is smaller than what the Silhouette can process, then you will end up with a blue square or a square with an X in it.

Use the up arrow and increase the spacing just a bit or delete and type in a number just a bit higher than the current spacing, until the box disappears. Remember, be patient and go slow, it is processing a lot of data.

Above 0.015 was too small but increasing to 0.025 there was no longer the error.
Angle – Change the angle of the deboss or emboss pattern.
Release Emboss – Releases the lines of the emboss pattern. When you are satisfied with the pattern, click on the Release Emboss button.Once the emboss/deboss is released, you could add another pattern on top if you chose to.

Here is the flower design (Floral Elements Design #191146) embossed on a piece of Silhouette Score & Emboss paper. This was embossed using the Silhouette fine tip embossing tool and 3 different embossing patterns.

Now, while I have not been that impressed with the emboss ability on cardstock, it is just not deep enough for my liking, I do love using the emboss features on materials such as metal and acrylic.

Silhouette Metal Etching Sheet

Home Sweet Home Montana by Jennifer Wambach Design #148502

Welcome Elk by Sophie Gallo Design #89012

Acrylic

Acrylic coaster blanks from Craft Chameleon
Eat, Sleep, Coffee Repeat by Sophie Gallo Design #230872
Less Monday More Coffee by Tany Batrak Design #209927
Yes, Coffee by Kolette Hall Design #171334
But First Coffee by Lilium Pixel SVG Design #242962

I hope you have learned a little bit about the Emboss Panel today. The Curio machine very quickly because a favorite of mine and now I can’t put it away.

Here are a few more a things to help you get started on the Curio.
The Curio – Getting Started with the Curio
Silhouette Curio Beginner Metal Etching
Basic Acrylic Etching Video Class

I’d love to see what you are creating with your Silhouette machine.
Feel free to post over on my Facebook group at Silhouette Secrets with EllyMae.

Enjoy!