I’m opening The DIY Show Off Fall Festival tonight. I hope you’ll join me and that I’m not the only one! I’ll list my 2 previous projects to use as an example.
Edit: We interrupt this blog post for a very important message. For MORE links to awesome blog parties see the end of this post. Now back to the Fall Festival:
What is it?
- A blog party on Mondays for Sept., Oct. & Nov.
- Autumn/Fall inspired DIY projects
How can I join?
- Create a blog post about an Autumn/Fall project that you’ve done
- Add your blog name and project to Mcklinky (example: The DIY Show off – House # Pumpkins)
- Type in the permalink address, not your basic blog address. A permalink is the address that links directly to your specific post. (example: http://thediyshowoff.blogspot.com/2009/08/house-number-pumpkins)
Other info:
- This is my first party so I’m new to Mcklinky and giving instructions so if you experience any problems – please let me know.
- I’ll be posting The DIY Show Off Fall Festival on Mondays and try to start the party sometime on the prior Sunday evening.
- Although a tutorial is helpful, it’s not required. Anything autumn related and DIY is permitted.
- If you’ve been inspired by something you see here – show us what you did too!
- Please use The DIY Show Off Fall Festival button and link back to The DIY Show Off Fall Festival post that you’re participating in. 🙂
- This week’s link to cut/paste is: http://thediyshowoff.blogspot.com/2009/09/week-1-diy-show-off-fall-festival.html
- Enjoy and be inspired!
Here is my project:
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Faux Mercury Glass Pumpkins
I love these mercury glass pumpkins from Pottery Barn.
But….
Pottery Barn image
Ballard Design image
But….
- On back order
- $24 for one 6″ pumpkin
- Mr. DIY + glass = “oops” & sad me
Pottery Barn imageSo, I made my own with more of this type of mercury-glass look:
Ballard Design imageMaterials:
- 1 funkin (faux pumpkin). I bought 3 different sized white ones at Michaels with a 40% off coupon for the large one. The orange would be okay too. Gourds would be a fun twist.
- 1 can of Metallic Finish spray paint (Mine was from WalMart – Rust-oleum Bright Coat/silver). It takes way less than a full can.
- 1 nearly empty can of Rust-oleum Universal Satin in Brown Hammered (or see instructions for another option).
Tutorial:
I sprayed my pumpins with the silver paint. Spray generously. If there are drips, they’re unseen and towards the bottom.
Do not let silver dry – go directly to next step. My can of metallic brown was nearly empty, so it was sputtering which was perfect. I spritzed “spots” on top of the generous wet silver paint. So, both paints sort of blended. Let dry. All done! (Email me pictures! I’d love to do a slide show!)
(Note: I also tried white paint instead of the brown hammered, but it didn’t give me enough contrast or the look that I wanted. If you can’t “spritz/sputter” the brown…maybe try splattering with a toothbrush and metallic brown craft paint. You will have tons of paint so experiment to see what works best to achieve the look you like).
End Result:
I love my shiny faux mercury glass pumpkins. They change in different lighting. It’s so easy! Let me know if you give it a shot! I’d love to see how yours turned out!
What do you think?
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Hopefully you had a chance to DIY something fun this weekend! Please join me Mondays!
I love how you changed the everyday look of a pumpkin into something expensive. I'll be shopping for some silver spray paint soon!
Your pumpkins are gorgeous! I don't have anything fall for this week. I do have something Halloween for the coming weeks and I am working on fall, but not finished. It's been hard for me to think fall when it's been between 101-high 90's here for a couple of weeks.
I love these! Thanks so much for the inspiration – I need it! 🙂
Blessings to you!
http://www.ilovemy5kids.blogspot.com
Awesome! I'm so impressed taht you even thought of copying that look and especially that you pulled it off so beautifully! I hope to join your party soon!
Who would have thought to spray pumpkins with silver spray paint? You are one smart, creative, brave, incredibly talented gal, I am sooooooooooooo impressed. I love it when something like this comes together and girl you have got it together. INCREDIBLE!
How cool that finish comes up beautifully, one would have never guessed. Will have to give that a try this year as it looks like great fun.
Love how you took something expensive and made a great duplicate. Don't you want to marry spray paint! 🙂
Now that was creative! Those pumkins look better than the glass ones! I love the grouping you created, very nicely done.
-Angela
Very clever
Very pretty
Very pocketbook friendly.
They are wonderful!
In a word…WOW!
Wow, the silver pumpkins are beautiful!!! I nominate them as the new Glitter Pumpkins of D&R 2009.
Karen
OH! You are such a clever duck! I love this and it seems I have a "thing" for mercury glass lately. But a 10year old boy aspiring to be the next WWE superstar could be sad for me too. I am definitely going to try this. Maybe on a few other things too!
I LOVE LOVE LOVE these. You did a great job.
I bought some pumpkins at JoAnns with a 40% off coupon but they were $25 and I think $20 each-Making these pumpkins $12 and $15. The one is a little bigger than the ones I saw at Walmart but the Wal-Mart ones are $5 and $10.
I will come back over and post my Celebrating the Holidays post to your party.
Cheri
Its So Very Cheri
I love them! What a great option for people (like myself) who love mercury glass but have a lot of kids and rambunctious-ness in the house! 🙂
That's an awesome idea! I love it!
Oh, my…I LOVE them! I've been on the search for the Homegoods mercury glass pumpkins, but haven't found them. I absolutely love these. I'm going to make these this week!
Well slap me silly! Aren't you just TOO clever!! What a genius idea! and look how CUTE these turned out!!
GREAT job!! I love it!
~TidyMom
W-O-W those are amazing! how creative girl!!! LOVE IT and now im off to try it!!
I love your mercury glass pumpkins. And I also saw your dining room make-over. It is beautiful. IT will be so much fun decorating it through the holiday season!Rhonda
I love these! I appreciate how you were able to recreate items from a pricey catalog and have them look even better!
I had visited earlier when I linked up and was admiring them, but I couldn't find the link to leave a comment. I decided to come back and give a second look for it … found it this time.
Jane
These are absolutely stunning – who needs to pay those prices when you're talented like you 🙂
Great idea…so creative! Going to try this one myself. Looking forward to the fall festival!!
Those pumpkins are so pretty! I love mercury glass and this seems pretty easy to do. Thanks for such a thorough how to!
Manuela
Wow! Your pumpkins are just beautiful! I like them better than the Pottery Barn ones. Great idea, I think I'll borrow this idea for a church event come November!
I haven't been around much but how cool is that?? I'm totally going to be all over that metallic paint this fall and winter! Thanks for sharing the tip!
they are beautiful! I am def going to have to get some metallic paint!
These are fabulous!!! I can't wait to make some and add them in with my glittered pumpkins. I'm so glad you're doing this fall party, I can't wait to join in, but it will probably be another week or two before I get around to my fall decorating!
I can't wait to try your project, and maybe try it on something other than pumpkins. I'll share what I do with you when it gets done! Thanks so much for the tutorial. Good job!!
These pumpkins are sooo fabulous!! I'll be featuring soon!!
Thanks so for stopping by everyone! It's been a fun party!
THANKS SO MUCH to the creative ladies who participated today! I had a wonderful time seeing each project and being inspired and look forward to next week's party!
I hope that if you're giving the mercury-glass-look-alike funkins a try that you'll let me know. I'd love to see them and do a shiny-blog feature in a few weeks with everyone's pictures. I love to "show off"! 😉
Have an awesome rest of the short week!
Roeshel
LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!!!!!!! Oh no! Another project on my list!! LOL!
These are gorgeous!! I've been trying to find fall projects too, so this whole post is a gold mine! 😀 Thank you!
these are just beautiful! i have been totally taken with guided pumpkins and your tutorial on using spray paint is going to be put to use at my house shortly!
i found you by way of by Kari at "U Create"..so glad i did! i linked up a project of mine, and i am excited to be following your blog 🙂
xo
so fun…so going to try this one out!
By the way, I'm going to be linking to these and your other pumpkins (the number ones) in my post on Tuesday. Lowe's had some similar ones in their idea magazine.
Great pumpkins. Best ever. Love them.
Very inspirational!
SewCalGal
http://www.sewcalgal.blogspot.com
So fancy and beautiful. I am featuring this at somedaycrafts.blogspot.com
so fancy and beautiful. They look expensive!!! I am featuring this at somedaycrafts.blogspot.com Grab my "featured" button.
way fun!! I love the metallic pumpkins. I find myself drawn to anything and everything expensive when I go shopping. No matter what it is. Then I try and figure out how to make it on my own. Thanks for the idea. I may just do this one.
I have a Halloween project in the works right now that I am EXCITED about! Can't wait to show it off.
Brittany at:
glennfamily3.blogspot.com
Loovveee the pumpkins!! Great work girl! Totally wishing I weren't moving so I could actually decorate for fall! 🙂
Gorgeous!! LOVE IT!!! I'm going to copy you and make some for my kitchen cabinet tops!!!!! Thanks so much for the idea. I've glittered pumpkins before but I used real pumpkins…we grow them, so they are in abundance! But…for these..I'm springing for some faux pumpkins. I will try to join your party next week…Love your blog, found you through Susan's Met Monday..rambling on, I know! LOL!! Thanks again!
I LOVE them…and will be adding this project to my list…I think they would look fantastic on my mantel…or maybe the piano, if I can keep the 2 year-old away!
You are one of my favorites this week, go see what I had to say and grab the I was featured on: button
Cheri
I like these BETTER than the Pottery Barn pumpkins! Woo hoo… can't wait to make them.
This is genius! I love the look of mercury glass, but I haven't been able to bring myself to buy any (haven't found it cheap enough yet!) 🙂 I will definitely have to try this – and not just on pumpkins! Thanks!
How "devine!" Love the fall *bling* Thanks so much for stopping by The Devine Home – don't be a stranger.
I was afraid this was going to be difficult, but you make it sound so easy. I may give it a try, because it sure is a great look. laurie
I was afraid this was going to be difficult, but you make it sound so easy. I may give it a try, because it sure is a great look. laurie
Whoa!!! Crazy, I just spray painted my pumpkins silver last weekend (because of a Martha Stewart pic I have had saved for two years) I may splatter some umber on them with a toothbrush, I have always loved the mercury glass!!
Thanks for sharing this fabulous idea!
Alyshia
You are so talented. I love the pumpkin idea. Im a newlywed that cant spend much on decorating. But it is so important for me to decorate the house. Thank you for your idea.
LOVE this idea! I love Mercury Glass but you're right, it's breakable and expensive. These look great. I'm linking this to my blog. Thanks for the tip!
Looks really cute. Love this idea. The brown speckles make it. And by the way I love the B in your mirror. I have a mirror over my fireplace I have been thinking about etching…just not sure if I'm ready to commit.
Absolutely gorgeous ! It's like you're reading my mind. I hadn't seen those PBs yet, but I love yours even more. I'm thinking metallics this year too. With craft paint. Bronze, champagne, taupe…stunning !
Kate
Love, absolutely LOVE this! I love all things mercury glass, and – wow – those pumpkins are gorgeous! I think I'm heading to Micheal's tomorrow!
This is the coolest thing ever. I may have to switch things around on you and ask if I can feature this on my blog – I love it! I'm wondering how long the pumpkins will last with the spray paint on them. I'd love to run out and do this now, but I'd hate to have mushy smelly pumpkins by Halloween. Any idea?
Hi Roechel…
Ohhh my…these faux mercury glass pumpkins are fabulous!!! I would have never thought you could get a faux mercury glass finish using spray paints…love, love, LOVE this idea!!! Thank you so much for sharing your creativity and talents with us!!!
Warmest wishes,
Chari
this looks amazing! I have gold accents in my livin/dining room though so I wonder how gold would look?….Thanks so much for the post, it gives me so much inspiration to start some fall projects
The pumpkins look beautiful! What a nice DIY project!
Thanks Everyone! 🙂 Yay! I love when a DIY project goes over well!
Kelly – I bet they would look gorgeous in gold! I hope I get to see them!
Roeshel
Came over from Britt's blog and had to say "WOW"! I was wondering just yesterday how to do a faux mercury glass pumpkin! I knew there had to be a way. Thanks for sharing!
These are fantastic. I'm so doing this!
Those are really beautiful! Thanks for sharing.
Ooh la la! These turned out fabulous! Thanks for the how to!
Oh my you seriously rock! I have an entire stash of these just calling my name, and simply love the look. Thanks so much for sharing and Happy Fall!
LOVE these chic pumpkins!!!
xo,
cristin
Roeshel, I love your site. I e-mailed you too soon asking about these pumpkins. I found them when I searched further. I love them, great idea.
I love this idea!!! I hope you don't mind, but I shared this on my blog (of course giving you credit).
Heidi! Of course I don't mind. Share the love! haha Thanks so much!
Roeshel
ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS! I think I'm going to have to follow your blog!
Fantastic project! I mentioned it and linked to this page in my new blog, I hope you don't mind.
http://raregreen.blogspot.com
~Becky
Wow, love it! Thanks so much for the inspiration. I had a great big chuckle over your #3 reason not to order the PB glass pumpkins, I have a Mr. Oops too! Great tut!
KittenJen
I love the pumpkins. That paint finish really pops. I'm wondering how that type of finish would work on light fixtures. I'm thinking pretty great. Great tutorial.
Awesome! I'll have to remember this for next year! 🙂
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Sorry for offtopic
I am a huge fan of mercury glass, and these pumpkins are superb indeed. I will definitely use this idea. This is an amazing blog!
Love them & they look like the real thing. Inspiration for my pumpkins next year since I am finished for 2010 with pumpkins. Thanks for the tutorial.
XO,
Kimberly
These are so beautiful! I love the mercury glass items at PB – in fact, I used some turquoise mercury glass vases from PB all throughout my wedding reception! Now I'm wondering if I could somehow recreate the turquoise look with your idea… hmm! Thanks for sharing!
Betsey at b.bar
http://www.bybbar.blogspot.com
These are wonderful, can't wait to try this out.
Fabulous! I LOVE silver anything!
okay, so it's two years after you posted this, and i'm just seeing it, but i just saw something on PB's website, using a mix of these metallic pumpkins, wood-carved pumpkins and just the plastic ones. i wanted to recreate the metallic ones, but didn't know how to get that tarnished look. i'm excited to try your technique!
Love the idea – I am pumpkin painting this weekend!!
Love the idea – I am pumpking painting this weekend!
Wow! Your pumpkins inspired me so much…it turned into a 2-day project! I tried getting the mercury glass look you got…was unsuccessful. So, I painted over them and love how they turned out. I wanted you to be able to see my painted pumpkins (and see how I tried to make them look like mercury glass). Thank you for this how-to, I would not have beautifully painted pumpkins in my house otherwise!