I can’t believe I posted this so many years ago. Wow! It is still an awesome tutorial and technique. I will be working on some new pieces tomorrow and to honor this tutorial. I think I should do a giveaway!!! This Tutorial is soo simple but, the Faux mercury glass is sooo beautiful on its own but wouldn’t it be fun to do it in any color?
When I found out how to do Faux mercury t glass, I was trying to figure out how to do it in blue??? I figured it out and I want to share it
If you only want to color your glass and skip the faux mercury fun I have a colored glass tutorial here. If you only want to do the faux finish follow this link.
You will need some glass pieces you want to transform, paper towels, a spray bottle with 50% water and vinegar solution, Krylon Looking glass spray (very important you need this exact paint) and … wait for it. If you want colored glass get Pebeo Vitrea 160 in the color of your choice, it is a wonderful glass paint. I chose turquoise, which I am madly in love with.
You might have to order the looking glass spray and Pebeo Vitra 160 online I was lucky and found the Looking Glass spray at my Walmart but I had to order the Pebeo Vitrea 160 on Amazon. You might be thinking that you
pick your color
will just use another glass paint. I tried that and I was never happy with the color. The Vitrea has an intensity that’s just can’t be beat. It is intense color and transparent. I think it is worth the trouble to get.
To have colored Mercury Glass first you need to color the glass. The hardest part of this is waiting for it to dry a whole 24hrs.
Mix with the Pebeo thinner and paint on your piece. I found the best the results from painting on the outside of the piece. I tried I swirling it around on the inside with some thinner, as some others have recommended, but most of the color drained out. I had a much better result when I painted on the outside. So, go ahead, paint on the outside in a thin layer and let it dry for 24 hours and then bake it for 40 mins at 325 to make it fully waterproof. Keep in mind this is paint so it is not going to go one perfectly. You will probably have some streaks and unevenness in the color. It does not have to be perfect; The color will be covered with your faux mercury finish.
When you bake don’t preheat your oven, bake at 325 for 40 mins and leave the glass in the oven until it’s cool. That way, the glass doesn’t experience a big temperature change and crack.
Getting ready to bake the glass
Now your glass is colored, time to get the Faux mercury look.
Clean your glass really well. Don’t worry about your painted surface it can handle going through a dishwasher now. Do this outside to avoid the paint fumes. Remember, this is spray paint.
1) Mist you glass with your spray bottle of water and vinegar solution. Spray your glass piece so it has bubbles. You might see other tutorials that say don’t let your water run on the glass. I say let it run! The more texture the better. The instructions on the Krylon looking glass will say spray on the inside, trust me spray on the outside. If you want to use it as a vase you will want to fill inside with water and if you spray it on the inside you will ruin your finish.
2) Spray the paint over your 
misted pieces. The liquid will prevent the paint from sticking. Leave it for a minute or two and blot with the paper towel. Then repeat until you get the look you want. You can choose to have it very transparent or add more layers to be more opaque. The outcome is gorgeous either way
So that is – mist, spray, wait, blot, and repeat till you are thrilled. It’s easy and fun. I don’t think you can make a mistake. Finally something I can’t screw up. so try it! let me know how it goes and share your results!! Until next time!
2 Vases DIY (Faux) turquoise Mercury glass
Voila Blue Mercury Glass
Creating Beauty one Creation at a Time 
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Wow! I love blue glass. Thanks for sharing.
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you make beautiful things i love that stenciled table ooh lala and colored shiny glass oh my
Thanks Chris I love to make things
Love this and can’t wait to try it, but one question: can all glass be baked at 325 degrees? Any precautions or special treatment? On a cookie sheet? or right on the oven rack? Thanks very much! You’re a genius and an inspiration!
Thank Teri, I put my glass on a cookie sheet covered in foil. I adjusted the post to mention not to pre-heat the oven and to leave the glass in the oven till the oven cools down. The oven is probably not safe for all glass. If its really thin and delicate I would skip the oven part. You only need to bake it if you are going to put water in it. I have a few pieces that are decorative that I didn’t bake
thank you! thank you! I’m off and rolling now!
You go girl. please share you results with me email me diretly at melissa@AldanaDeorativeArt.com or post to my facebook page http://facebook.com/AldanaDecorativeArt. I can’t wait to see. No glass is safe over here.
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love this. can’t wait to try it!
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Lovely! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Ria! You should give one of these projects a try. they are so fun
I rec’d the Pebeo from Amazon last night and already had the looking glass spray so here i go! One tip I really liked (saw it on a french youtube video) was to dab dab dab the thinned paint on. I tried a couple pieces right away and it worked well…best for overall coverage (i’ve tried the mod podge and the martha stewart paints earlier this week. blech). You’re right–waiting 24 hours is going to be the hardest part! Thanks so much for a great how-to.
Jen please please pictures. I’m dying to see your results. email me melissa@AldanaDecorativeArt.com or post or message me on facebook https://www.facebook.com/AldanaDecorativeArt. Dying to see you results. -Melissa
Has anyone tried any other colors? Thinking about attempting amber and red but not sure if it will look good. And worried the red will look pink. Anyone?
I am going to try Sunshine yellow. These colors are very intense I think the red will stay red and I amber will be gorgeous. try it! and send me pictures
How much thinner do you use for one bottle of paint?
HI Lori, You use so little of the paint that I wouldn’t describe it as thinner per bottle of paint, I have painted 50-60 mason jars. I wold guess I have used half a bottle of paint and I am on my second bottle of thinner. I use about I part paint to 3 parts thinner but that is because i want a subtle blue. I have a vase I want a deeper blue so I am using about 2 parts thinner for 1 part paint. have fun and send me pictures
What happens if you paint on the inside and use water in the vase? Can you spray some type of sealant inside the vase to protect the finish?
Awesome! Thanks for sharing, I’ve been looking to make some blue mercury glass and so glad I found your blog!
I’ll be making red and green and gold for Christmas, Exciting!!!
Wow, these are fabulous! Thanks for a great tutorial!
Val
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