• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
The DIY Mommy
  • Home Decor
  • DIY Crafts
  • Organize
  • Printables
  • Recipes
  • Life
  • Shop My Home
  • Lake House
  • About
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home Decor
  • DIY Crafts
  • Clean & Organize
  • Recipes
  • Free Printables
  • Life
  • Our Little Lake House
  • Shop Our Home
  • About
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » DIY Crafts » Upcycling Ideas

    Make Faux Mercury Glass Vases from Recycled Jars

    Published: Jun 11, 2015 · Modified: Apr 26, 2020 by Christina Dennis · This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads · 13 Comments

    There's something SO satisfying about taking something headed for the trash or for the recycling bin and turning it into something pretty, isn't there? I'm sure not ashamed to say that I LOVE creating treasure from trash and those have been some of my favourite projects. Not only are they budget-friendly, but they usually cause you to use every ounce of creativity you have. Today, I'm sharing with you how I made some beautiful faux mercury glass vases from old pickle jars and baby food jars. If you've been following my blog, you'll know that I have a thing using jars in my craft projects - they are so handy-dandy! Also, please scroll down to the bottom of this post to see more trash-to-treasure DIY projects from my blogging friends.

    How to make faux mercury glass vases from recycled jars - this method doesn't use a water + vinegar spray prior to the spray paint!

    Aren't these so pretty? I truly love the look of mercury glass. It simply screams vintage, and it's sparkly. Sparkly is always good in my books.

    How to make faux mercury glass vases from recycled jars - this method doesn't use a water + vinegar spray prior to the spray paint!

    There are quite a few faux mercury glass tutorials out there, but my technique is different. Most will tell you to spray your glass surface with a vinegar and water solution before spraying with mirror paint, but I don't do that. I don't like how it's tricky to control whether or not your vinegar water will run and blotch. My technique uses mirror spray paint and oil rubbed bronze spray paint, and I think the outcome looks just as pretty!

    Here's what you need for this project:

    How to make faux mercury glass vases from recycled jars - this method doesn't use a water + vinegar spray prior to the spray paint!

    • clean pickle and/or baby food jars (I use a mixture of olive oil and baking soda to get the sticky labels off)
    • Krylon Looking Glass Silver-Like Aerosol Spray Paint 6 Oz. (If you live in Canada like I do, you won't be able to buy this online, but Michaels often has it in stock.)
    • Rust-Oleum 249131 11 oz Universal All Surface Spray Paint, Oil Rubbed Bronze Metallic

    Directions:

    1. Apply several very thin layers of the Looking Glass paint onto your jars. The trick is VERY THIN LAYERS. If you try to spray this stuff on in thick layers, it will drip and blotch and look horrible. Wait for one layer to dry before you spray on another one, and make sure you are in a well ventilated area while using this product and wearing a ventilated mask yourself.
    2. Once the jars are completely dry and you can see your reflection in them (if you can't, continue adding on more thin layers of mirror paint), spray a very thin mist of the oil rubbed bronze metallic spray paint randomly on the jars. You may want to practice on some cardboard or a scrap off wood first to see how much pressure you need to put on the spray can's handle to get the spotted effect. It's not too much pressure at all! I've found that even if I mess up a little (for example, a big blob of ORB spray paint shoots onto my jar), I can quickly blot it with a paper towel and the finished effect still looks good.How to make faux mercury glass vases from recycled jars - this method doesn't use a water + vinegar spray prior to the spray paint!
    3. Let the jars dry, and you're done! That's it. This is such a simple project with a very satisfying impact.

    How to make faux mercury glass vases from recycled jars - this method doesn't use a water + vinegar spray prior to the spray paint!

    I've used these all over my home for the past several months as vases for dried and fresh flowers. They're very neutral and add a bit of glam to any room.

    How to make faux mercury glass vases from recycled jars - this method doesn't use a water + vinegar spray prior to the spray paint!

    Now it's time to see what the other gals have created from their trash! Please click on the links below to see my blogging friends' projects:

    Trash to treasure DIY project ideas

    Faux Mercury Glass Vases  from The DIY Mommy (You're here!)

    DIY Marshmallows Roasting Sticks from Fynes Designs

    Papasan Chair Cover Turorial from The Happy Housie

    Cobalt Blue Glass Vase Birdbath from Time with Thea 

    Reclaimed Wood Towel Bar from Joy In Our Home

    How To Make a Fairy Garden from Life Is A Party

    Reclaimed Headboard from New House New Home New Life

    More Inspiration

    • DIY Dollar Tree Heart Shaped Wreath
    • How to Set Up a Cricut for the First Time (Step by Step!)
    • Inexpensive Gift Wrapping Ideas that look stunning!
    • Free Printable Christmas Coupon Book for Kids

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Kendra @ www.joyinourhome.com

      June 11, 2015 at 7:41 am

      These are beautiful, Christina! I love mercury glass...I'll have to look for that spray paint! I totally have a thing for jars too... and have more stashed away in the garage than I care to admit! 😉 Have a wonderful day! Xo

      Reply
      • Christina Dennis

        June 21, 2015 at 9:56 pm

        Thanks so much, Kendra!

        Reply
    2. Dannyelle @ www.lifeisaparty.ca

      June 12, 2015 at 5:45 am

      These are so pretty. Love how they turned out and from simple recycled jars, great diy.

      Reply
      • Christina Dennis

        June 21, 2015 at 9:55 pm

        Thanks, Dannyelle!

        Reply
    3. Thea

      June 12, 2015 at 5:55 am

      Christina I loved your tutorial for these gorgeous Mercury Glass Vases! It was very easy to follow. Your method is the first one I came across that I thought I can really make these too! They would make great gifts and they look so pretty.

      Reply
      • Christina Dennis

        June 21, 2015 at 9:55 pm

        Thanks so much Thea!

        Reply
    4. Virginia Fynes

      June 13, 2015 at 6:46 am

      These look so pretty, thanks for the tutorial!

      Reply
      • Christina Dennis

        June 21, 2015 at 9:54 pm

        Thanks, Virginia! They were so easy to make and I love the effect.

        Reply

    Trackbacks

    1. How to Make a Fairy Garden House says:
      June 12, 2015 at 5:14 pm

      […] Faux Mercury Glass Vases from The DIY Mommy […]

      Reply
    2. Stencils and Furniture Makeover + {Motivational Monday 6.14.15} | Southern Couture says:
      June 14, 2015 at 7:01 pm

      […] Make Faux Mercury Glass from Recycled Jars from The DIY Mommy. […]

      Reply
    3. Motivational Monday 41 - Dwelling In Happiness says:
      June 14, 2015 at 7:01 pm

      […] Make Faux Mercury Glass from Recycled Jars from The DIY Mommy. […]

      Reply
    4. Motivational Monday – Burlap and Babies says:
      June 14, 2015 at 7:02 pm

      […] Make Faux Mercury Glass from Recycled Jars from The DIY Mommy […]

      Reply
    5. How to Sew a DIY Papasan Chair Cover - The Happy Housie says:
      September 4, 2015 at 10:58 am

      […] Faux Mercury Glass Vases  from The DIY Mommy […]

      Reply

    What do you think? Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    Welcome!

    Christina Dennis, The DIY Mommy

    I'm Christina and I'm sharing budget-friendly DIY & decor ideas to create a cozy home and life you love!

    Read more about me

    Latest Posts

    • Creative And Unique DIY Wall Art Ideas
    • DIY Dollar Tree Heart Shaped Wreath
    • 10 Best IKEA Organization Products under $20

    What's my home decor style?

    Discover the home decor style that best fits your personality and lifestyle. This two-minute quiz is going to give you the direction you need to start the big, bold room makeovers that you've always wanted to try!

    Find out now!

    Archives

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About The DIY Mommy
    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclosure Policy
    • Terms of Service

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2009 - 2023 The DIY Mommy. "The DIY Mommy" is a registered trademark.