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how to make mercury glass plates

Mercury glass plates are so pretty – but SO expensive! That’s ok, because I figured out a DIY solution. And if you make several, you can put them all together for a hanging plate display that is so simple yet so gorgeous! Want to make some?

I love this idea - mercury glass plates! They'd be pretty on the wall or to use as traditional chargers!

How to make Mercury Glass Plates

Supplies to make mercury glass plates - these look so easy! Definitely want to try these!

 

*this post contains affiliate links for your convenience*

 

Supplies:

  • Glass plates (these are fairly easy to find at thrift stores – but you can also find them HERE)
  • black spray paint
  • Looking Glass spray paint (I’ve tried others, this kind works best)
  • spray bottle with plain water
  • paper towels
What a great craft idea - grab some plates and paint to make these mercury glass plates!
Clean the plates well, flip them over to work on the back side of them, spray them with Looking Glass spray, and immediately spritzed them with water. The paint takes a few seconds to oxidize and turn into silver, and you have to spray the water on them before it turns. Just have your spray bottle at the ready when you spray the paint. Do one plate at a time to make sure that you get the water on in time. Give the paint a 30 minutes to dry, then dab off the water with a paper towel. After the paint was completely dry, give the plates a couple of coats of black spray paint to make them opaque. If you hang them be sure to use the metal style plate hangers with protective tips to keep your plates from scratching too easily.
Let the plates dry 24 hours before you hang them – and you’ll have beautiful artwork out of thrift store plates.
 I love this idea - mercury glass plates! They'd be pretty on the wall or to use as traditional chargers!

Don’t want to hang them? Use this same technique for charger plates – just be sure to protect the table to prevent any spray paint from accidentally scratching off the bottom.

these mercury glass plates are beautiful - and they look so easy to make!

If you enjoy this project, be sure to visit my project gallery!
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Filed Under: DIY

About Gina Luker

Gina Luker is a writer, photographer and lover of all things quirky. She's usually found with a drill in one hand and a cocktail in the other while blogging along the way. She's addicted to coffee, polka dots, rock stars, Instagram, and everything aqua.

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Comments

  1. Dawn says

    November 19, 2012 at 12:19 pm

    Love it Gina, I used it one time to make an old 9 light window look like an old mirror on the side of a potting shed.

    Reply
  2. Pink Overalls @DIY Home Staging says

    November 19, 2012 at 1:22 pm

    I think Mercury glass anything is ideal for Christmas decorating. You’ve encouraged me to try this because the front of the plates stay smooth enough to take removable decals that I could change on whim or with the seasons. Nice!

    Reply
  3. Coreen ~ 58 Vintage Faire says

    November 19, 2012 at 6:43 pm

    I love this post. I’ve just started my own Looking Glass project…I hope it turns out as well as yours. Also, I just read your post on the Graphics Fairy; transferring images with freezer paper. What I’m wondering is if you know if it’s washable?…Thanks Coreen

    Reply
  4. Deanne Langford says

    November 19, 2012 at 7:40 pm

    i would love to use this, but Amazon won’t ship it to Australia and to buy it here would cost me $35 for one can- $20 for the can and $15 for shipping. We have no similar products here- so frustrating!

    Reply
  5. Julie Boarder says

    November 19, 2012 at 11:36 pm

    Your plates look great. I did a little glass vase/dish I was given and it’s okay, but it’s hard to spray it inside enough to make it opaque. I will try the black on top, thanks for the suggestion! We can’t buy it in Canada either so I have to buy the Looking Glass paint when I’m in the US on holiday 🙁

    Reply
    • Lori says

      October 24, 2018 at 8:28 pm

      I just found it in the craft section of Walmart! (Canada)

      Reply
  6. Patty (Patty's Pretty Things) says

    November 20, 2012 at 12:43 am

    I just bought the looking glass spray and am dying to make something! Thank you for the tutorial. Your wall of plates is beautiful!

    Reply
  7. Amy Marshall says

    November 20, 2012 at 12:44 am

    I have a can of looking glass spray I have yet to use. The plates look great and would make great “goodie plates” for teachers, friends, and family. Thanks for the inspiration!

    Reply
  8. Nancy says

    November 20, 2012 at 1:02 am

    Very nice Gina..I also like that you can change them for different seasons or holidays..

    Reply
  9. Restoration House Interiors says

    November 20, 2012 at 8:01 am

    Thanks Gina! Such a fun project! Thanks for sharing! You should share this over at my place for Milk Paint and More Mondays! Trying to get the word out about the party…potentially so much fun!

    Reply
  10. Stephanie says

    November 20, 2012 at 12:21 pm

    This is so awesome – thanks so much for shairng – I’m doing this project ASAP!!!

    Reply
  11. Lisa Hogan says

    November 20, 2012 at 1:12 pm

    I am addicted to mercury glass. I love this project. I would love to find large plates that I could use as chargers on my holiday table!What a great look that would be. I think I will have to take a trip to dollar tree soon .:)

    Reply
  12. Jeannie-JB says

    November 20, 2012 at 2:41 pm

    I’ve used it and I plan on using it again this Christmas. Thanks for the tutorial.

    Reply
  13. Fort Western Stores says

    November 20, 2012 at 8:33 pm

    What a cool idea! This is one of those things that seems really simple, but I never would have thought of it.

    Reply
  14. Cait Geddes says

    November 21, 2012 at 9:29 pm

    I have an obsession with mercury glass and have spend a lotta cash! Wish I knew about this a few months ago! hahhaha. Thanks so much for sharing! I’m going to try this out this weekend. 🙂 Cait
    MyHouseMyCanvas.com

    Reply
  15. Beth says

    November 26, 2012 at 3:42 pm

    Thanks for a great tutorial and I just love the look of these plates!

    Reply
  16. Kayla Myers says

    November 30, 2012 at 9:24 pm

    Love this too! I’ve seen the mercury vases tutorial that involved inegar or something, but I like your version better, 1 less step! Thanks for sharing, very cute!

    Reply
  17. Dewdrop Gardens says

    December 1, 2012 at 12:43 pm

    These look beautiful! I’ve pinned and hope to try this one day. Thanks!
    Debbie 🙂

    Reply
  18. Shannon Fox says

    December 22, 2012 at 4:22 am

    They look great! I’ve got a can waiting to be put to use 🙂

    Happy Holidays!!

    Reply
  19. Loretta Andrade says

    November 24, 2013 at 8:23 am

    It is so beautiful thanks for sharing

    Reply
  20. Sue's Akorn Shop says

    December 15, 2014 at 9:28 am

    So excited to try this!!!

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Decorating with Mercury Glass - A Cultivated Nest says:
    January 16, 2015 at 2:52 am

    […] Mercury Glass Plates @ The Shabby Creek Cottage […]

    Reply
  2. 20 things that will SPARKLE with Mercury Glass - Mirror Paint - Craftionary says:
    August 5, 2015 at 2:40 pm

    […] How to make mirrored plates […]

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  3. 20+ Beautiful DIY Mercury Glass Paint Ideas - Noted List says:
    October 12, 2015 at 2:11 am

    […] Tutorial via theshabbycreekcottage […]

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  4. Cool Stuff that will SPARKLE with Mercury Glass (Mirror Paint) - 12thBlog says:
    October 19, 2015 at 12:33 pm

    […] How to make mirrored plates […]

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