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+ DIY: MERCURY GLASS

I get several emails about the diy mercury glass that I posted about a while back asking if I have tried it. I never have any advice to give so I thought I would try it myself.  It ended up being a very easy project.  If I had time to do it again I would make a few changes.  Below is the process that I did and I will write what I would have changed:

I used these cheap votives from Michaels:


taped them off {because it's an odd shape, I twisted the paper at the ends}


Here is the BIG change.  I would have used the paint (found here) that was suggested, not the silver.  My Home Depot didn't have mirror paint so being impatient, I went with the silver.


I did about 3-4 squirts of water, and then a couple of sprays of the silver. 


If I did it again, I would have done less of both.  The water left streak marks down the side {see below}, and the silver was too thick. Personally, I think it's all preference.  I rather have less paint, and more light coming through. 


My advice is to do less water.  Maybe 2-3 squirts at the most depending on the size of your votive/vase, and again, your preference.  

I turned them upside down to dry:


and that's it....


you could do a large amount of these without breaking the bank.  I think if you had a patio/roof deck, a handful along the ground or ledge would be really cool.  Wish we did because It was 70 today in Boston! A perfect night for an outdoor dinner party...

*update on mirror paint*


find it here.

29 comments:

  1. very cool. Thanks for your notes.

    I just bought the silver as I couldn't find the mirror at Home Depot. May now wait until I order the right paint online

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  2. I can't wait to do this. LOVE LOVE LOVE it!!!!!

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  3. this is really cool... have a nice one!

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  4. wow great work - well done - very inspiring :) best le

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  5. Good job. I've wanted to experiment but I haven't made the time.

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  6. I actually like the way they look, very interesting. I have a zillion glass vessels from flower arrangements and candles that I've held onto. Maybe I'll do a little experimenting since I wouldn't be heartbroken if I ruined a few of them.

    Do you know where they carry the mirror spray?

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  7. Hey, I think your votives turned out great!! I'll have to give it a try :)

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  8. What a great project! Thanks for the tips, I might attempt this if I am feeling crafty one of these days...

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  9. Wouldn't they be lovely as centrepieces at a wedding or all around the room at Christmas. I would love to give this a try. Thanks for posting.

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  10. I'd love to try this. Thanks for working out the kinks for us.

    I saw a beautiful necklace today at Scandia Down that appeared to have mercury glass beads about the size of a nickel. I'd love to be able to do these, or at least find a source.

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  11. really really cute idea! I need to get out all of my glass vases and votives and do this little project. Maybe I will bring them all over to your house and you can help me :)

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  12. Oooh I think they came out so well! I actually LOVE the amount of paint/light you have going on in these. The images are great too (I spot a domino book right there!)

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  13. They look terrific. One question - does Krylon make mirror spray paint?

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  14. Thanks everyone for your sweet comments!

    I just updated the post with mirror paint information!

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  15. Love this idea! Great project. Filing this one away.

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  16. You rock. Seriously :)
    Great project! xo

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  17. Very cool. Thanks for the tips!!

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  18. So excited to try this! Endless possibilities.

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  19. OMG... I love this DIY project! These candle votives are FABULOUS!! They'd make a great gift too. Thanks for the idea :-)

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  21. Hi! I was wondering if you'd had any issues with an open flame next to the very flammable spray paint ... ? I want to make votive holders for my wedding, but I'm a little paranoid about burning down my venue. :)

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  22. Hobby Lobby carries the looking glass spray paint. I haven't found it anywhere else in my area (OK). Thanks for the tutorial, definitely trying this!

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  23. My mom and I got the spray paint from Amazon (because no local retailer sold it) and she has spray painted several glass items. She sprayed the paint on the outside of the glass and it looks perfect!

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  24. I also found the mirror paint at Michael's for $11.99 in OK.

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  25. I Love the way yours turned out! It's perfect to me. I too got impatient and when I couldn't find the looking glass paint, went with my leftover Krylon Satin Nickel instead. It might not be as reflective as yours or the MSDIY, but you can go check out my FB page, Distressed, But Not Forsaken, and tell me what you think. I'm beginning to think any of the shiny metal paints will do.

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  26. Just have to weigh in. I tried this. It worked. Amazon was by far the cheapest place to get mirror paint. And there is no reason that I can see that the paint needs to be done on the inside of the vase. I sprayed the insides of the vases but it was a pain so I started doing the outside and the results were the same.

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