While scrolling through Pinterest for fun, homemade gifts to make our family for Christmas, I stumbled upon a post about various crafts you could do with wine corks. This led to a rabbit hole of other wine-related crafts, things you could do with bottles, etm. You know how it goes.
I picked an easy one (not really) to start with... cutting the wine bottles and making candles. Then I decided that the plain old bottles needed something, so I went back to Pinterest.

I found etching.

I couldn't afford a laser engraving machine, so I purchased a Dremel tool and started experimenting. I found a method that I liked, the tool's limitations, and what types of images worked well. I did a couple of Christmas-related designs, a Magnolia, and a lighthouse scene from Maine for my in-laws.

When my in-laws moved to North Carolina a bit later, I wanted to make them a housewarming gift that was NC-themed. This is how the 'Bear Glass,' as it is affectionately referred to around our house, came to be. It is my favorite image to etch. Etching by hand gives me a chance to make the fill area look like hair because of the individual cuts.
My Mother-In-Law loved them so much that she requested I make them for some of her friends as gifts and for charity auctions.

So now, thanks to Pinterest, wine bottles, my love of picking up new hobbies, and encouragement from family, I am putting my craft out there for others to enjoy.