Pottery Barn has some gorgeous etched mercury glass pumpkins available, and I immediately wondered if I might be able to make my own version. Sure enough, they can easily be made at home, and customized to fit your style! I made my version using Dollar Tree pumpkins and Krylon’s Looking Glass Spray Paint (which I refer to as “crafter’s crack” because I *might* be addicted to spraying it on everything! It’s amazing stuff!) Here’s how you can make your own etched mercury glass pumpkins:
Project estimate:
- Ceramic pumpkin, $1
- Looking Glass Spray Paint, about $3 and up
- Clear stamp, on hand
- White paint, on hand
Total: about $4 and up
Start by spraying the glossy ceramic pumpkin with the Looking Glass paint. Do NOT prime it first. In order to achieve the mirror like finish, you need a glossy surface. Follow the directions on the can.
Choose a small, clear stamp to use. Pour a very small amount of paint (I used Martha Stewart Glass Paint) onto a plate and dip your stamp in it. Blot the stamp on a piece of paper to remove the excess, then stamp onto your pumpkin. I had to “rock” my stamp to get it all on the curved surface. Repeat until the pumpkin is covered.
Your etched mercury glass pumpkin is ready for display! You will need to handle it gently, as the paint can be scratched off because the surface wasn’t primed. If you have a spray on gloss sealer you could use that to finish the project. Have fun creating!
Looking for more pumpkin crafts?
3 Comments
Teri
Pretty! :)
Monica
The can says to spray on reverse side for a mirror finish. Did yours come out right because you used a glossy, pre-painted surface?
morena
Yes, that’s probably it. Actually, even sprayed on glass both sides have a shiny mirror like finish, but the paint can flake off with excessive wear, which is probably why you keep the painted side protected.