Find and Faux ~ Mercury Glass
Sunday, January 10, 2010 I love mercury glass...
{image: Paris Parfait}
...collecting can get a little pricey...that's why...
{image: Vintageweave, Los Angeles ~ one of my favorite shops!}
...I love faux mercury glass!
{photographed image: January issue of Martha Stewart Living}
Here are your DIY instructions {from Martha} to turn your plain glass finds into instant antique faux mercury glass ~
Prep ~
- A clean clear glass vase or candleholder
- Krylon Looking Glass Mirror-Like Paint {Michaels}
- A well-ventilated area
- Cover and tape the outside of the glass {I used plastic wrap, easier to see what you're doing, tape it tight!}
Create ~
- Lightly spray the interior with water {spritzed water with my hand} ~ this will create a mottled effect
- Lightly spray the interior with Krylon paint {kind of wishing I didn't spritz any water}
- Turn the vase upside down on a drying rack for air circulation {turned it upside down, held it for about a minute, then left it upright, didn't put it on a drying rack}
- Let it dry completely, preferably overnight {Krylon directions read "Dries in 5-10 minutes...Handle after 1 hour"...that's the way I like it, that's {sort of} what I did, please don't tell Martha}
- Repeat if it's too sheer {repeated about 6 times...maybe should have waited the hour in between, sprayed in 20 minute intervals}
- If you are using real flowers, place another container inside the vase to protect the paint from water
- Arrange your flowers
- Admire the view and take a picture, too!
What do you think?!
Faux mercury glass? Faux, yes. Pass for the real thing? Uhhh, no...but, it will look really fabulous! *added note: after drying for 24 hours...it does have a rich mercury glass-like finish! Fun project? Absolutely! And easy, too! Try it again? Without a doubt! Votives are next! Should you try it? I hope you do, you'll love the way it turns out!
What is your find and have you turned it into a faux?
{If it's on your blog, leave a link so we can see!}
Eileen ~ xo
Here's a quick history of mercury glass...
For more Good Things from Martha, check out the January issue...
Giveaway ends Wednesday 9pm PST ~ Winner announced Thursday!
Reader Comments (15)
Me too! I was heartbroken when my cats broke my entire collection as I had it out as a tablescape. Sigh.
Oooh, that is so pretty! I didn't even know what mercury glass was before reading this! xoxo
Ohh, Kristin...I'm sooo sorry... :( Try this project! :) ! Congrats on Bon Bon Rose's 1st Blogoversary!
Shannon! ~ ♫ Happy Birthday to YOU ♫ !!! :) xo
I think you did a GREAT job!
So I have stumbled upon your blog while trying to research mercury glass lamps. I have an original antique mercury glass lamp that I am going to sell on Ebay in a week. I am trying to get information on it. I know that it is old and that it used to be an oil lamp, but it has been converted to an electrical lamp.
Anyway, here are some pics of the lamp on tiny pic...
http://tinypic.com/m/99knko/1
http://tinypic.com/m/99knpl/1
http://tinypic.com/m/99mjk6/1
If you or anyone else has any information or are interested please let me know!
How is possible I didn't know about this. Its a must do. Thank you for sharing.
Oh, Mrs. Limestone! ~ I do hope you try it! I would love to see what beautiful mercury glass you make! ~ It was a little dangerous after I made this vase...I wanted to spray every piece of clear glass in sight! I want to try a picture frame with two pieces of glass and spray the back of the back piece and float the picture in between. :)
Hi - I thought your post on mercury glass was really great and I made reference to it on my blog here: http://inspire-me-heather.blogspot.com/2010/10/faux-mercury-glass.html
beautiful mercury glasses.you can also use paint on them to create decorative colored mercury glass.
We are the online resource for Glassprimer glass paint.Use our paint to create decorative colored glass, industrial colored glass, architectural colored glass, and more.
http://www.glasspaint.com
Hi Heather! ~ Welcome! Thank you for including my post! I had so much fun looking at the other tutorials! Love the faux mercury glass with the stencil! ...and foil... who knew! :)
Hi James ~ Welcome! OK, your glass paint is Fantastic! ...The fume mask scares me...but, WOW! the finished product looks AMAZING! I would love to do some small pieces of glass and jars... do you have a small scale DIY version? Because, if you do... I'M IN! :) I'm going to stay posted on what your company's up to! :) I need to look again, do you have a mirror paint?
I do like it, I am planning on doing a mercury glass project soon. I would like to credit you for the details on how to. I will be posting it next week. Thanks for the info. Tricia @ SeekingEcoChic
Thank you, Tricia! I can't wait to see your project! I originally found this in Martha Stewart Living magazine! It's so fun and easy! Just warning you...you'll want to save every empty jar that comes your way just so you can "mercury glass" it! :) Have fun!
White Vinegar works better than water
ohhh! White vinegar! Thanks, Emma! I'll try that! :)