Faux Mercury Glass Finials

Did anyone else notice the lovely mercury glass ball finial on the cover of January's Country Living?

 

You all who know me, know what my next thought was --  "How can I make that?" Thankfully, I had seen this fantastic idea on Nita's Mod Vintage Life blog last fall, so I already knew the answer! I purchased two wood ball finials and two square medallions at Home Depot. The ball finials are with the fence supplies, and the medallions are over with the moldings.

 

Oh, and a can of this --

 

First, I unscrewed the large screw from the finial, then simply hot-glued the two pieces together.

 

Not looking so good after a light coat of primer, but just wait!

 

This has officially become my favorite new paint -- I mean, wow! My head is spinning with all of the possibilities this paint has. And though these are really pretty, I wanted to take it a step further, going for even more sparkle. 

Following Nita's directions, next I sprayed a light coat of spray adhesive, let it sit for a couple of minutes, then sprinkled on Martha Stewart glitter, and rubbed it in until the whole thing smoothed out. I already had a bottle of Martha's White Gold glitter, so that's what I used.

 

The glitter gives the metallic paint such a silver-leaf-like finish, sort of mercury glass-ish, too. It totally camouflages the roughness of the wood, although I did lightly sand them, in between coats of paint, to smooth the finish out a bit.

 

 

I'll be on the lookout for other items to use this treatment on, for sure. I hope you're inspired to give it a try, also! And thanks again to Nita, for such a fab idea.

The Giveaway is going on through this weekend! Go here to join the fun.

I'm joining Sarah at Thrifty Decor Chick for her Spray Paint Party, Kim's Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style, and Cindy's Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home.

Comments

[Maryjane]

So thrilled you are enjoying making the laundry detergent! I love to make it too and it smells so good! I love how you have your home decorated! Got lots of great ideas. Love your bathroom with the silver platters and what you did with the mirror is so clver!

Hugs,
Maryjane

[Betsy]

I love these! Very clever to use the finial posts and rosettes. I think that adding the sparkle gives them that special touch. Such a great DIY project.

[Jen]

Great idea! I may have to copy it :)

[phyllis]

Count me as your newest follower.....I like your style! The finial posts are just darling and so much like Mercury glass, but a whole lot less expensive! AND I love a bargain with a creative touch!!

[Marie @ Sally Lee by the Sea]

What a wonderful idea - they look really great!

Happy Show & Tell Friday from your newest follower :O)

[Manuela]

Wow! Love these!

[Korrie@RedHenHome]

Ooh, I *like* these. I can think of all sorts of possibilities at Christmas, too!
Thanks for visiting Red Hen Home.

[~ ~Ahrisha~ ~]

Great idea and they look so nice. Sweet of you to use Michael Lee West's books in your pictures. Hope she gets to see it. Have you read her latest. .Gone with a Handsomer Man? It was really a hoot!
~ ~Ahrisha~ ~

[Account Deleted]

Thanks for the tutorial, eh. This one looks like a pawn on a chess piece.haha. Creative and lovely.

[P M Walker]

Would this faux mercury glass finish work on a resin lamp? I know I'd have to sand the lamp to make the paint stick.