March 10, 2010
by Krista Watterworth
Make Your Own Mercury Glass Vase
On my HGTV show Splurge & Save yesterday I made mercury glass vases to add a nice tough to a traditional style space. I’ve been asked how to do this project so I thought I’d post the very easy DIY recipe for making mercury glass vases on your own!
Have a mask and gloves before you begin. Use a shiny, glossy metallic spray paint (like Silver Metallic Reflective Finish Spray) and large mouthed clear vases in a size that fits your hand easily. To prep, cover the outside of each vase with plastic and taped it tightly along the outside top (to keep spray paint from getting onto the outside). Be sure tape stays on the outside of the vase – don’t fold over the edge.
Do this project outside because fumes will spray back at your face. Spray paint the interior of the vase covering most of it. The trick is keep it light, don’t over spray. Just coat the surface once.
Go back in with a cotton ball and randomly pat around the surface. Antique mercury glass is often peeling away or unevenly distributed. And if you really want an authentic look, spray a light coat of gold metallic spray paint over the silver, and pat with cotton ball in a random pattern. When mercury glass ages it often has a gold/silver mix.
Last 5 posts by Krista Watterworth
- What are some ideas you have used with Home Theatre Electronics to keep flow in a room design? - September 1st, 2011
- How can I use a little bit of glass tile in my bathroom as an accent? - August 31st, 2011
- Pastori's on Restaurant Impossible - August 26th, 2011
- Make Your Own Mod Lights - August 25th, 2011
- Domino Bedroom - July 11th, 2011
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On the mercury glass vases….will water / flowers do alright in the finished product without ruining the 'mercury' look?
Thanks!
Can I put water in the mercury glass vase for an arrangement?
I have been scouring the internet looking for directions on how to make faux mercury glass. I have a glass lamp I bought at a thrift store and want to make it look like mercury glass. I have seen many different techniques and this looks pretty easy and love the results you got. My question…how would you do candle sticks? I am guessing you would have to just paint the outside?