Mercury glass decor has become a popular trend for holiday decorating. The metallic sheen gives a glamorous look while the globes softly diffuse light for a cozy ambience. Making your own DIY mercury glass globes is an easy craft that allows you to customize sizes, shapes, and colors. Read on for tips on how to make these beautiful holiday accents for your home.
What is Mercury Glass?
Mercury glass gets its name from the silvery metallic look it achieves, reminiscent of liquid mercury. But it contains no actual mercury. The look is created through a multi-step process:
- Clear glass globes are blown or molded into shape
- The globes are coated with a silver-colored paint or spray
- Finally, the paint is distressed to reveal some of the clear glass underneath
This gives an opaque but shimmery silver finish with glimpses of clear glass peeking through. The result is an eye-catching, glamorous sheen perfect for holiday decor.
Benefits of DIY Mercury Glass
Making your own mercury glass has many advantages:
- Custom sizes and shapes – Choose spheres, teardrops, cylinders or geometric shapes. Good sizes for holiday decor are 3-6 inches.
- Pick colors – Silver is the classic but gold, rose gold, and other metallic colors can complement your decor.
- Save money – Pre-made mercury glass costs more. Making them yourself saves significantly.
- Make multiples – Create coordinated collections of varying sizes and shapes.
- Fun craft – The process is easy enough for kids to help and learn.
How to Make Mercury Glass Ornaments
Follow these simple steps to DIY beautiful mercury glass bulbs and balls:
Supplies Needed
- Clear glass ornaments, vases, votives or other vessels
- Metallic spray paint in your choice of color
- Painters tape
- Distressing tools like sandpaper or steel wool
- Decorative embellishments (optional) like raffia, ribbons, pinecones
Step 1 – Prepare the Glass Surface
Make sure the glass surface is clean and dry. Use tape to cover any areas you don’t want painted – like the metal ornament cap or surfaces that will be glued.
Step 2 – Apply Metallic Spray Paint
Lay the ornaments on newspaper in a well-ventilated area. Apply 2-3 even coats of spray paint, allowing it to fully dry between coats according to the manufacturer’s directions.
Step 3 – Distress the Paint
Once fully dried, take sandpaper or steel wool and lightly rub over the surface. This reveals glimpses of clear glass beneath for that signature mercury glass look.
Focus on the raised portions and edges. Be careful not to scratch all the way down to bare glass. The distressing gives dimension, but you still want much of the metallic paint to show.
Step 4 – Add Embellishments
Adhere any extra decorative embellishments with hot glue, wire or decorative ties. Ribbons and raffia can be tied around the “neck” or base. Mini pinecones, holly sprigs or beads can be glued on. Let your creativity go wild!
Step 5 – Seal and Protect
Spray with a clear acrylic sealer to protect the paint and give a nice glossy finish. Let dry fully before hanging.
Displaying Mercury Glass Ornaments
Now the fun part – finding ways to display your DIY mercury glass creations:
- Nestle in boughs of evergreen on a mantel or tablescape
- Hang with pretty ribbon from chandeliers, sconces, or Christmas trees
- Line a centerpiece or garland with mixed sizes and shapes
- Fill bowls or vases for some holiday shine
- Use them to top packages and gifts for an elegant touch
- Scatter down a table runner for festive flair
- Hang in window panes to refract incoming light
With the right placement, these mercury glass diy projects will add the perfect dose of holiday sparkle!
FAQs About Making Mercury Glass
What types of glass can be turned into mercury glass?
Clear glass ornaments work best. But any clear vessel made of glass – vases, votive holders, jars, etc – can be transformed into mercury glass.
What kind of paint works best?
Metallic spray paints give the most authentic old-world mercury glass finish. Silver, gold, and copper are popular.
How soon can I distress the paint after spraying?
Follow the specific spray paint’s directions for dry times. It’s important the coats are fully cured before distressing so you don’t scratch off all the paint.
What tools work to distress mercury glass?
Sandpaper (400-600 grit) and steel wool (super fine grade) are commonly used. Avoid anything too abrasive that will scratch off all the paint.
How do I get light to reflect off mercury glass?
The metals in the paint cause light to refract and bounce off the globe’s surface. Hanging in windows or placing near light sources will make them shine.
Can I seal mercury glass after distressing?
Yes, sealers like polyacrylic spray help protect the finish and creates an attractive glossy sheen. Just let the paint cure fully first.
Elevate Your Holidays with DIY Mercury Glass
With these simple tips, you can easily make beautiful mercury glass ornaments and decor to elevate your holiday decor. Their gorgeous metallic shimmer will catch the light and add a festive feeling to any room.
Display them creatively on their own or mix with other natural elements like pinecones, berries, flowers, and candles to complement your decorating theme. Making them yourself allows for gorgeous custom pieces at a fraction of the cost.
So gather your clear glass vessels and spray paints and get ready to DIY some holiday magic this season with mercury glass! Your friends and family will be impressed with your crafty creations.
