How To: Mercury Glass... No Spend Challenge

It is almost the end of the month!  And to be quite honest... I {well the hubs} gets paid today so it is the beginning of my fiscal February month.  The debit card might get a little worn out today!  Ha!  

Over the weekend I worked on my chairs for the One Room Challenge, but I also managed to do a few more No Spend Projects too!  

Now I will admit that the one materials needed for this project is typically not something that most of us have laying around the house.  Way back in October, when Hobby Lobby opened in my neck of the woods, I finally found the Looking Glass spray paint and immediately bought 2 cans!  I wasn't quite sure what I would do with it so it just sat there, until now!  

After reading a little bit online {Martha and Design Sponge had a few good tips} I assembled my tools and set up out in the garage.  You will need a glass vase, a water bottle, and some acrylic paint.

I taped off the vase just so there was not any over spray on the outside.

First spray the inside with water, just so the water starts to bead {not dripping} then immediately spray the mercury glass paint in a very thin layer.  I know it sounds weird, but trust me!  It sprays out very thin, not like most spray paints.  It was sort of weird trying to spray the inside of the vase!

After you spray the first coat turn upside down and allow the paint to drip out.  Wait for a bit to let the coat dry {it was about 60 degrees out, so I let it dry for about 5-10 minutes} then apply another coat.  Repeat until you are happy with the coverage.  

Once the spray paint is mostly dry take your acrylic paint and add some highlights to the inside of the vase. If you would like to have some more color showing through take a wet paper bowl and wipe off some of the mercury glass paint and then add in some color.  I think the next time I will use some white and gold.

I made the mistake of rushing to put flowers in it like 10 minutes after I was finished with the project and that was a big mistake.  Some of the paint washed off... so I would recommend waiting a few hours before you try to use the vase.  I also read that you should insert another cup inside the vase to hold the water... I would assume not to ruin the finish.. duh!  {do I ever listen?} So after racking every cabinet in my house for something that would fit in the vase I finally used one of my boys take and toss sippy cups.  It was yellow and you could see the color coming through so I gave it a quick spray of black.

I had some fun playing with where I wanted it to go.  In the end it landed on my mantel.  I love it!  Look out glass vases... I am coming for you!!

Alright!  Tomorrow is the day to link up all of your No Spend Projects!  I have never hosted a link party before so I am pretty excited about it!  Please don't let me party alone!

I am anxious to see what everyone has done for no money!  

Happy Monday!