Mercury Glass DIY

Enjoy transforming the look of regular or frosted glass with this easy do-it-yourself project. The results are amazing!

I bought these vintage Art Deco style lanterns for our 1940's style wedding reception and had them displayed on our mantel. After seventeen years of enjoyment, I noticed the frosted glass had thinned out in spots, probably due to the heat of lit candles, and one had a significant crack. I was almost resolved to sell them at a yard sale and to purchase a pair of tall mercury glass vases filled with light artificial greenery to set off my newly refreshed and painted stone fireplace. However, I didn't have an extra hundred in the decorative budget, so I started thinking how I could repurpose those lanterns which already had a sweet sentimental value into something new. I learned a great deal from this tutorial and started to give this DIY a go!

Supply List

1) Water bottle with equal parts water and vinegar,
2) Krylon Looking Glass spray
3) Tape
4) Protective drop cloth
5) Protective eye wear
​6) Gloves
7) Mask​
​8) Cloth for blotting

You can find Krylon Looking Glass spray at Hobby Lobby (use 40% off coupon); the Looking Glass is the one to go with over metallic or chrome sprays, according to advice from friends. I used Scotch tape that I purchased at The Dollar Tree and some left over painter's tape to cover areas that I didn't want painted. Next you will need a sprayer with half vinegar and water. NOTE - Many mercury glass projects spray the Krylon Looking Glass spray on the inside of glass, but for this project, the outside of the glass was the only part sprayed. Also, don't spray inside of glass containers if you are planning to use them as vases with water inside; the water will cause the paint to eventually wash away over time.

​Now, if you're like me, you might get so excited to start your project that you are tempted to bypass reading the safety instructions, but don't! Make sure you wear safety goggles, gloves, a mask and have exposed skin covered. You will need to do this outside on a day that is not windy.

The picture below shows before and after of how the Mercury Glass DIY project transformed my lanterns. There is such an improvement that I wanted you to see the difference.

Extremely happy with the end result! The pear tree topiaries were gifts from my Grandmother Helen and I used the lanterns as decorative glass planter boxes.

Hope this post inspires you with your Mercury Glass DIY project!

With Love,
Christina

Stay humble & BOLD!

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