I’m really enamored with all of the Mercury Glass I’ve been seeing in catalogs lately. I think it’s so pretty and shiny. Perfect for holiday decorating.
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The other day when I was rummaging under my sink, I came across this old vase that originally held a floral arrangement. I think everyone has these lurking somewhere in their homes. Found: the perfect victim for a DIY experiment.
I purchased some silver leaf, leaf adhesive and sealer at Michael’s.
First, I sprayed the adhesive on the inside of the vase. It looks cloudy at first, but as it sets up, it starts to turn clear.
Next, came the
Keep placing the leaf sheets until the whole inside of the vase is covered.
I used my fingers and a brush to smooth out the inside surface. Then I took the brush and rubbed it a bit to distress it. I was really looking for a distressed, well used look.
A coat of sealer on the inside, and it’s done. It’s not quite like Mercury Glass, but I think it’s still pretty. I really like how the spaces and cracks between the leaf stand out. Perfect for the holidays.
Linking up to the following awesome blogs:
What a great idea. I love what you've done. I wonder what it would look like with a small piller candle lit inside? Would it glow thru?
ReplyDeleteI have been trying to find a way to make faux mercury glass... I might just have to try this!
ReplyDeleteI would never of thought to put it on the inside - very clever! And the best part, I have a couple of those boring vases and left over gilding from the pumpkins and pears I did - yipee!
ReplyDeleteWow. wow. wow. I love it! I have a few of those vases in the cupboard, I'll give this a try! Thanks for linking up!
ReplyDeleteVery pretty! I am inspired to do something with those old vases (especially ones that are cheaper and don't really look good alone)! Thanks.
ReplyDeleteHi Carolyn, This is a wonderful project. I have many glass things that I don't use because they are not pretty, but I am going to rethink them. I have never done any leafing, but you make it look easy. Great directions and pictures! I love the way the vase came out. Beautiful and worthy of a special spot in your home.
ReplyDeleteYvonne
This turned out very nice. I always wondered how to work with the silver leafing....thanks for the photos and the how-to on this!
ReplyDeleteBrilliant!
ReplyDeleteI really really like that! I am going to have to try it.
ReplyDeleteThat is very cool. YOU are very cool! Thank you, Carolyn, for the lovely birthday wishes. It's good to get back to normal and blogging once again! x
ReplyDeleteVery cool. Wonder how it would have looked had you done the leafing on the outside? I have tried the paint to get the look to but just can't get it good enough.
ReplyDeletetammy
Love it!
ReplyDeleteI love the way it turned out, very clever, I have worked with gold leaf alot, not silver though, I am inspired now, have to go give it a try, thanks
ReplyDeleteOh wow - that is awesome! I am trying to come up with a good idea for a Thanksgiving centerpiece. I may have to try this, although it looks really hard. How long did it take to make the vase? I think I would want to do multiple candle sticks, I wonder how long that would take?
ReplyDeleteGreat job!
XOXO
Jen
LOVE IT!!!! I was wanting to do this one but totally had no CLUE! I am doing this for all my vases! it looks AMAZING!
ReplyDeleteOH, and the wainscoting makes any room look WAY BIGGER! I was thinking about doing it in our 'tiny' master bathroom, just to give the illusion it is HUGE.
Hi Ahrisha, it does look really pretty with a candle inside. It glows through all the cracks in the leaf.
ReplyDeleteHelen! Glad you had such a great birthday!
Tammy, by placing the silver leaf on the inside, you able to still have the shiny surface of the glass on the outside. I think it would still be pretty on the outside of the vase, it just wouldn't have looked as glossy on the outside, but it would have been much easier to do.
Jenjen, I think candlesticks would be pretty quick because you'd have the leaf on the outside so it would be a lot easier to get the leaf where you want it. The vase took me about 30 minutes.
Well done! It looks fantastic.
ReplyDeleteMercury glass is one of my weak spots too. Great suggestion with an old floral shop vase...it turned out great.
ReplyDeleteThat is so pretty. I'll have to try that.
ReplyDeleteIt looks Fab! Oh my, I see another project added to my list! LOL
ReplyDeleteOH Boy! I too have been looking at all of the mercury glass this year. I am so...going to try this. Thanks so much. Laura@the mansion
ReplyDeleteOH Boy! I too have been looking at all of the mercury glass this year. I am so...going to try this. Thanks so much. Laura@the mansion
ReplyDeleteOH Boy! I too have been looking at all of the mercury glass this year. I am so...going to try this. Thanks so much. Laura@the mansion
ReplyDeleteOH Boy! I too have been looking at all of the mercury glass this year. I am so...going to try this. Thanks so much. Laura@the mansion
ReplyDeleteI had NO IDEA one could do something like that! Wow. Cool craft. What rock have I been sleeping under?
ReplyDeleteThat turned out amazing! Great job and thanks for sharing. I don't think I ever would have thought something like that could be made at home. Very neat.
ReplyDeleteFantastic job! I love mercury glass. Thanks for the awesome tutorial too!
ReplyDeleteAnd for sharing your creativity in the DIY holiday party! :)
Roeshel
I did faux mercury pumpkins and one thing I did was take a little bit if white craft paint. I got my paint brush wet-I wanted the brush more than damp but not dripping in water. I got a little paint and smear it over the pumpkins, keaving the bubbly areas. I just wonder if you did that to the outside of the glass if it would look even more like the mercury. I want to try it. I may even add some dark grey paint on the inside in certain places.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tutorial--I love it.
Cheri
Hi Cheri,
ReplyDeleteI actually tried it with some white watercolor paint. It just ended up looking dirty and took the shine away from the glass. I do think that if you put some dark grey paint on the inside of the glass before you applied the leaf, it might turn out neat!
Did you say your name was Martha? Lol. I'm actually thinking I should stop writing mine all together and just spend my days making all these crafts. I thought I was a diy master, but I was wrong. You are the Make it at home and have it turn out awesome queen. :)
ReplyDeleteAnd I have so many of these lovely victims just waiting to be painted or leafed. :)
ReplyDeleteHi!
ReplyDeleteGreat project, thanks for sharing. I love this look as a wedding center piece idea, on maybe a pedestal bowl. Any idea how the inside holds up if you use it as a vase? I'm getting married next year and looking for smart DIY ways to save! :) :) -JP
Just wondering how expensive the stuff to do your vase was? Thanks...
ReplyDeletethis is so pretty; i'm going to have to find the time to try it myself, but i'd love to link your idea on my blog! thanks for sharing:D
ReplyDeletekudzu
Hi Carolyn - I thought your post on mercury glass was fantastic and I made reference to it on my blog! Thanks, Heather
ReplyDeleteStumbled this & then linked up at the Dollar Store Crafts fb page: http://www.facebook.com/dollarstorecrafts
ReplyDeletelove this , but i think if i were going to light it i would get a $1.00 solar yard light at the dollar store, remove the black stake and set in my window during the day and place it in the vase at night. not having to use electricity, or worry about fire. i use them (solar lights)for all kinds of accent lighting.... and night lights.
ReplyDelete