Saturday, March 3, 2012

{PB Inspired Etched Mercury Glass Lamp}

Thanks to everyone who voted for me in round two of Creative Bloggers Got Talent.  I made it to round three!  You can check out the top fifteen here.  This is the project I created for round two, and since the winners have been posted, I can share the tutorial with you now.  :)
Do you ever check out Pottery Barn online just to dream a little?  I do.  Recently, I came across this AWESOME etched mercury glass lamp.  I love it, but, unfortunately, I don't have $259 to spend on one lamp.  So I started thinking about how I could make my own.  I remembered seeing these lamps that the awesome Shannon of Anythingology made, and as soon as I thought of them, I knew how I could create my own etched mercury glass lamp!   To make the lamp, I started with a glass cylinder vase, Krylon Looking Glass spray paint, and faux etching paint.  I used other supplies that I'll tell you about when I get to them.


I covered the outside of the cylinder vase with newspaper and tape and followed some DIY mercury glass directions I had pinned from A Stylish Interior.  (Here's another set of directions too from Take the Side Street.)  I did one thing a little different than the directions, though.  (I think I saw this somewhere on the web as well.)  After I did the whole spray paint and vinegar thing over and over, the glass just didn't have the exact mercury look I was going for.  So I sprayed the inside with Krylon Metallic Gold spray paint.


 I am a perfectionist, which is almost a recipe for disaster with this technique, so I kept spraying and using vinegar and spraying until there was so much spray that the vinegar wouldn't eat through it anymore.  So I just stopped spraying.  Then it was time to create the "etched" design.  I used my Silhouette to create a damask contact paper stencil.  I used the faux etching kit I had to create the design on the glass.


I assume they still make the kit I used for the faux etching.  I had it for a REALLY long time and had never used it, but I'm sure if they don't sell this kit anymore, there is some other type of faux etching paint you can get, or you can use real etching cream.  Next, it was time to make the cylinder a lamp.  This is where Shannon's lamp tutorial came into play.


I got a bottle lamp kit from Walmart, as well as some Gorilla Glue epoxy.  I put the lamp kit together, and glued it to the vase using the epoxy.  Check out Shannon's tutorial for the exact how-to.  (One thing to note, though, is that if you buy a bottle lamp kit, you don't have to drill a hole in the lamp components.  It's already there.)


I taped the lamp kit in place while the epoxy dried for the full time the package directions called for.  I bought a shade from Walmart, put it on, and for a little over $20, I now how a PB inspired lamp!


I think I'm going to do something to the shade later on, but for now, I'm satisfied.


It was really hard to get a picture that fully captured the mercury glass look of the lamp because the paint is so reflective.  It doesn't look like the exact tutorials that I followed; it has an aged look I really like.


It's not an exact replica of the PB lamp, but it looks great in my living room, and I'm so glad that it didn't cost me $259!  :)
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32 comments:

  1. Congratulations!!! I'm so happy you made the top 15. Will we be able to vote the next round?

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  2. Congrats on making it to the Top 15! I love your lamp, it's beautiful. I can't believe it's from a vase! So cool.

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  3. This is such a great lamp. I love it and it's from a vase... Wow!
    Greetings from Germany
    Catrin

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  4. This is absolutely stunning! I wanted to let you know I included it in my features from last week's BFF Open House!

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  5. Way to go! This lamp is gorgeous! You are so brave with your crafting...I don't think I would ever try something like this?! Just beautiful!

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  6. This is amazing! I am linking back to you tomorrow. Used some of your steps, some of mine, etc. Thanks for a great project!

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  7. Absolutely fantastic!!! You did such an awesome job and I'm super impressed. Thank you so much for sharing this gorgeous creation with us at Inspiration Friday last weekend! :-)
    Vanessa

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  8. I am LOVING THIS!!!!!!! You did such a fantastic job.....hope to see you tomorrow at the link party! Your spring box is going to be featured!

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  9. Wow, you sure did a great job! You really did a great job, who needs PB when you can come up with your own beautiful transformations! Thanks for sharing all your creative inspiration at Sunday's Best.

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  10. I am IMPRESSED. I can't wait for your catalog to come out :)

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  11. I know that you've probably heard it a million times already but what a gorgeous job C:

    Thank-you so much for sharing at Pin'inpiration Thursday C:

    Hope you pop by on Saturday to check-out our new party.

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  12. That's fantastic! You did your research it sounds like, and it payed off! Great work!

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  13. Your lamp turned out to be very pretty. I would never think it was made from a vase!

    I would love if you would post and share it with my readers! Join the Community and share any of your creative project!

    Susan @ Oh My! Creative

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  14. Impressed! I've never tried anything like this before. It looks so great. Thanks for sharing at Things I've Done Thursday! www.bearrabbitbear.com

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  15. This is so cool! I love the results!

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  16. Your lamp looks gorgeous. I love the etching. So awesome. I love to dream of all those gorgeous things PB has.
    Ruth

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  17. Wow! That is gorgeous! You did an amazing job! I would love for you to stop by and link to my Sew Crafty Saturday Party!

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  18. I love this tutorial!! Thank you so much for the great idea. Lamps are so pricey, plus I love the look of mercury glass. What a glam way to make a one of a kind statement piece. Definitely pinning, definitely making!!

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  19. Found you via Knock off Decor. Following you via Linky and email!
    Tera
    http://www.EccentricLeopard.com

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  20. Love your lamp...it turned out great!
    Im now a follower. When u get a moment I invite u to come visit me.
    Jennifer @ Decorated Chaos
    Htp://decoratedchaos.blogspot.com

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  21. Love your lamp...it turned out great!
    Im now a follower. When u get a moment I invite u to come visit me.
    Jennifer @ Decorated Chaos
    Htp://decoratedchaos.blogspot.com

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  22. Bethany, Thanks so much for linking back to my blog via "DIY Mercury Glass Directions". If you could mention my blog name next time too, I would love it! And, you have inspired ME to try my technique on a lamp and then etch it! Yours turned out great! I just saw one very similar yesterday at Home Goods for $49.99. Great job!! Following you via Linky now.

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  23. That is so beautiful! Thanks so much for stopping by our blog today. We are your newest FB and linky followers. Megan

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  24. love this! you've inspired me:) i think I'm gonna make my own but with a big mason jar full of shells and sand. i love the beach:) thanks for the idea. happy new follower.

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  25. found you through Tater Tots and Jello! This turned out so pretty. Thanks for the inspiration! If you're interested I have a link party on my site today and I'd love you to join it. Maria at http://caribbeanmissionarywife.blogspot.com/2012/03/t-time-67-and-link-party.html

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  26. Thanks for linking to Sew Crafty Saturday! Sharing this on my Wildflowers & Whimsy's Facebook page ! Can't wait to see what you share this Saturday!

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  27. New follower, I love this lamp!! So creative and cheap!!! Come by for a visit to my new blog:) pricklybanana.com

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  28. I wonder what you could put in the vase to make it heavier so kids couldn't knock it down so easy?

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  29. It turned me out because its very nice. So better to keep on posting regarding on etched glass. It's a well done and informative writing!

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  30. Just broke my expensive Ralph Lauren lamp and I cannot afford to replace it ($359 on E-bay) so I went on Pinterest to get an idea and found your post. Since my living room has mercury glass accents and my sofa is covered in a brown on brown damask print, this is perfect. Thanks so much! I'm on my way now to buy supplies.

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Thanks for taking the time out of your busy day to leave an awesome comment! :)