Ok, so maybe my chickens didn’t actually help with this faux mercury glass project, but they did keep me company from a safe distance. This project is simple enough that my chickens could do it if they had hands. This glassware can make a beautiful display in your home and a lovely hostess gift, filled with flowers to bring to the next picnic or party!
I stumbled upon this faux mercury glass tutorial on Pinterest and in my futile attempts to track it back to its original source, I found endless variations on the technique. I settled on a combination of several and I am thrilled with the results.
The entire project can be completed in 10 minutes or less and involves a can of Krylon Looking Glass, Mirror-like spray paint, a spray bottle of equal parts vinegar and water and clean glassware. The Looking Glass paint can be found many places including larger Michael’s Craft stores, Wal-mart and online.
Here’s the entire technique: SPRAY. MIST. DAB.
The spray paint can be applied to the outside, the inside or both sides. I tried all the variations and was happy with all of them. When painting the outside, it helps to hold the glass with a gloved hand for maximum control.
SPRAY a light coat evenly on the glass. The paint dries within 2-3 minutes.
When spraying the inside of a container, holding it upside down distributes the paint more evenly and prevents it from puddling at the bottom.
When completely dry, MIST lightly with the vinegar/water solution.
Allow the vinegar to sit for a minute and then DAB the beads off the glass, don’t rub.
Voilà! That’s it! These unmatched pieces look beautiful in groupings on a mantle, side table or window sill.
Kathy Shea Mormino
Affectionately known internationally as The Chicken Chick®, Kathy Shea Mormino shares a fun-loving, informative style to raising backyard chickens. …Read on
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Ok, so maybe my chickens didn’t actually help with this faux mercury glass project, but they did keep me company from a safe distance. This project is simple enough that my chickens could do it if they had hands. This glassware can make a beautiful display in your home and a lovely hostess gift, filled with flowers to bring to the next picnic or party!
I stumbled upon this faux mercury glass tutorial on Pinterest and in my futile attempts to track it back to its original source, I found endless variations on the technique. I settled on a combination of several and I am thrilled with the results.
The entire project can be completed in 10 minutes or less and involves a can of Krylon Looking Glass, Mirror-like spray paint, a spray bottle of equal parts vinegar and water and clean glassware. The Looking Glass paint can be found many places including larger Michael’s Craft stores, Wal-mart and online.
Here’s the entire technique: SPRAY. MIST. DAB.
The spray paint can be applied to the outside, the inside or both sides. I tried all the variations and was happy with all of them. When painting the outside, it helps to hold the glass with a gloved hand for maximum control.
SPRAY a light coat evenly on the glass. The paint dries within 2-3 minutes.
When spraying the inside of a container, holding it upside down distributes the paint more evenly and prevents it from puddling at the bottom.
When completely dry, MIST lightly with the vinegar/water solution.
Allow the vinegar to sit for a minute and then DAB the beads off the glass, don’t rub.
Voilà! That’s it! These unmatched pieces look beautiful in groupings on a mantle, side table or window sill.
Love it! They turned out awesome :)
Thanks Rebecca! It was really fun too. :)
I like this… they look lovely! I will have to give it a try. I bet they will look nice next to my cobalt blue jars.
That is a good idea for the old jars I save, will have to try it. Ellen from Georgia
I'm constantly on the lookout for fun glass pieces now! Let me know how yours turn out, Ellen!
Which of the vases were painted on the inside, which on outside, and which on both in and outside?
The Atlas jar was painted on the inside and out. The jelly jar in the last picture was painted only outside and I don't remember the rest!
What a fun project! What is the reason for the vinegar spritz though?
Kim, the vinegar solution eats through the paint a little bit, giving the glass a pretty patina. This step can certainly be skipped as the glass looks pretty with the paint alone, but the spray gives it more of an authentic mercury glass appearance.