Faux Mercury Glass Tutorial

Mercury Glass Anyone?

Or how to DIY some vintage inspired sparkle a.k.a faux mercury glass

I am so in love with the shabby French vintage look and think the aged elegance of mercury glass is the perfect finishing touch to complete the effect. I have a small collection of authentic pieces but wanted a fast way to beef up my stash….thankfully I stumbled upon Take The Side Street’s  awesome tutorial on how to make your own faux mercury glass. She gets all the credit for figuring out the how to and below is my step by step take on the project.

The HOW TO:

Step 1:  Find a smooth, clear, glass piece. Any old thing will do BUT there has to be room for you to spray INTO it so just keep that in mind. Make sure it is clean, free of dust and dry.

Step 2: Get some of this happy in a can; Krylon’s Looking Glass spray paint. You should be able to find it anywhere artsy/craftsy. I purchased mine at  Hobby Lobby. Go somewhere you can use a coupon, it is about $12 a can.

Step 3: In a spray bottle mix equal parts white vinegar and water. I knew I would be making several pieces and used a cup of each. You only use a few squirts so it does not take much.

Step 4: Quickly (it dries crazy fast) and lightly spray the INSIDE of your glass item with the Looking Glass paint. You are not going for full coverage here just a light coating. The paint is VERY runny {VERY} so try to move over the area quickly to avoid run marks as it dries.  Do not stress over it though (not worth the future frown lines ladies), I had a few runs and by the time the project was complete you could not see them at all.

Step 5:  Once the first coat dries lightly MIST the inside the glass with your vinegar/water soloution, over the dried paint. Let the droplets sit. They will bead up nicely.

Step 6: Spray another coat of the Looking Glass paint OVER the droplets. *Note* as you are watching it dry you can tell if you have the coverage you want by this coat. Three was enough for mine but just trust your gut. Set the piece aside and let it dry for a bit….flip through a magazine….update your Facebook status….say about 15 minutes? This gives the vinegar’s acidity time to eat through the mirror finish a wee bit. Aged fabulousness unfolding!!

Step 7: Fold up a few paper towels to create a little pad slightly smaller than the palm of your hand and saturate it with the vinegar/water mixture.

 

Step 8: Lightly (the goal is small flakes not chunks) using the pads of your fingers on the pad, rub where the droplets have beaded up. This will cause the etched paint to lift off leaving that gloriously mottled, aged, mercury glass look! Repeat as you like till you get the level of distress you want in your piece.

Step 9: Step back and admire your finished piece. Then reflect in awe at your own awesome talent and mercury glass making skills! Enjoy!

Go forth and sparkle!

Stay Posh,

XOXO, Tricia