Are you dreaming of those real mercury glass ornaments from Pottery Barn that have that expensive look? But don’t want to spend a fortune on your holiday decor? This simple DIY tutorial will show you how to create stunning, budget-friendly mercury glass ornaments that add vintage glamour to your Christmas decorations without emptying your wallet.
.

Jump to How to Make DIY mercury glass CHRISTMAS ORNAMENTS

On my blog WM Design House, I may sometimes use affiliate links, which means a small commission is earned if you purchase via the link. The price will be the same whether you use the affiliate link or go directly to the vendor’s website using a non-affiliate link. Read my full disclosure policy here.

Mercury Glass Ornaments

Transforming plain glass or plastic ball ornaments into stunning, vintage-inspired pieces is not just a craft—it’s a magical journey of creativity that allows you to infuse your holiday decor with personal charm and elegance.

With just a few simple supplies, you can create shimmering, homemade mercury glass ornaments that capture the nostalgic sparkle of antique mercury glass while enjoying crafting something beautiful with your hands.

Close-up of Christmas tree ornaments, featuring shiny silver and matte blue baubles hanging from white ribbons. The tree is adorned with snow-like flocking and soft white lights, creating a festive and cozy holiday atmosphere.

Materials Needed for DIY Mercury Glass Ornaments

Clear glass ornaments
Clear plastic shatterproof ornaments
Rustoleum or Krylon looking glass spray paint
Gold powder pigment
Fine gold glitter
Gold spray paint
Spray bottle with half water and half vinegar (white vinegar)
Plastic cups
Hair dryer
3/8″ wide velvet ribbon

A collection of craft supplies on a table: a metallic spray bottle, glitter jar, Pearl Ex powder, silver effect spray can, and a clear plastic globe. Greenery and a white fence are blurred in the background.

Additional Tools You’ll Need

Scissors
Paper towel

You’ll find most of the supplies through my links or at major craft stores like Hobby Lobby.

Step-by-Step Guide to Make Faux Mercury Glass Ornaments

Step 1: Prepare the Work Area:

Cover your workspace with paper or a drop cloth to protect it from spray paint.

Tip from wendy’s craft room:

This can get a bit messy, so I would suggest you do this outside if possible.

Step 2: Prepare the Ornaments:

Remove the clear ornament caps and spray them with gold spray paint. Allow them to dry and set them aside.

A collection of metallic, round pins with intricate designs scattered on a textured, bronze surface. The pins have various patterns and protruding rods, creating a decorative, artistic arrangement.

Step 3: Create the Mercury Glass Effect:

Spray the inside of the ornament with a few sprays of the mirror finish spray paint and swirl the paint around for your first coat.
Spray a very small amount of the vinegar and water solution inside the ornament and swirl around.
The vinegar will react with the paint, creating a mottled, aged effect.

A can of Rust-Oleum Mirror Effect spray paint is next to a transparent plastic ornament placed on a clear plastic cup. The ornament's surface reflects light, indicating it has been partially sprayed to create a mirrored effect.

A large, metallic sphere rests on a smooth brown surface. The sphere has a reflective, textured surface with various shades of silver and subtle hints of color. Shelves with various objects are blurred in the background.

Use the blow dryer and dry the inside of the ornament.
Add a second layer of spray paint.
Add a very small amount of vinegar spray if you want more of a mottled or aged look.

Add a small amount of the Pearl Ex pigment powder (I used Interference Gold and Mink) and swirl around. The mink pigment will give you the rose gold looking ornament.
Use the blow dryer again for your drying process.

diy mercury glass ornaments-A container of Pearl Ex silver pigment, a gold-colored spoon, and a clear cup with a silver-colored orb resting on top, partially covered in the pigment. The items are placed on a beige surface.

A translucent, frosted glass-looking ball positioned upside-down in a clear plastic cup. The surface has a textured, swirled pattern with shades of silver and gray, giving it a glossy appearance.

Tip from wendy’s craft room:

Use a small spoon when adding the pigment powder, and start with a little bit. You can always add more.

Add another small spray of the original silver mirror spray paint and a few sprinkles of gold glitter.

diy mercury glass ornaments-A close-up of a DIY Mercury Glass Ornament with a shimmering, reflective surface. It hangs on a snow-dusted Christmas tree, capturing glints of festive lights and green foliage in the background.

Repeat the above steps until you have your desired look.

Tip from wendy’s craft room:

Dive into color exploration. Experiment boldly with pigments and glitter – each shade offers a unique potential. Mix unexpected combinations, layer textures, and craft something truly original. Your creative palette is limitless, so don’t hold back.

Step 5: Finish and Dry:

Place the ornament into a plastic cup to dry completely.
Replace the ornament tops.
Add a piece of velvet ribbon.

diy mercury glass ornaments-A cluster of blue and silver Christmas baubles hanging from strings in front of a decorated Christmas tree with twinkling lights. The background is softly blurred.

Yield: 12 Ornaments

How to Make DIY Mercury Glass Ornaments

Learn how to create stunning DIY mercury ornaments with this easy tutorial. Add vintage charm to your holiday decor effortlessly!

Active Time 1 hour

Additional Time 15 minutes

Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes

Difficulty Easy

Materials

Clear glass ornaments
Clear plastic shatterproof ornaments
Rustoleum or Krylon looking glass spray paint
Gold pigment
Fine gold glitter
Gold spray paint
Spray bottle with half water and half vinegar (white vinegar)
Plastic cups
Paper towels
Hair dryer
3/8" wide velvet ribbon

Instructions

Prepare the Work Area: Cover your workspace with paper or a drop cloth to protect it from spray paint.
Prepare the Ornaments: Remove the clear ornament caps and spray them with gold spray paint. Allow them to dry and set them aside.
Create the Mercury Glass Effect:

Spray the inside of the ornament with a few sprays of the mirror finish spray paint and swirl the paint around for your first coat.
Spray a minimal amount of the vinegar and water solution inside the ornament and swirl around.
The vinegar will react with the paint, creating a mottled, aged effect.
Use the blow dryer and dry the inside of the ornament.
Add a second layer of spray paint.
Add a minimal amount of vinegar spray if you want more of a mottled or aged look.
Add a small amount of the Pearl Ex pigment powder (I used Interference Gold and Mink) and swirl around.
Use the blow dryer again for your drying process.
Add another small spray of the original silver mirror spray paint and a few sprinkles of gold glitter.
Repeat steps until you have your desired look.

4. Finish and Dry:

Place the ornament into a plastic cup to dry completely.
Replace the ornament tops.
Add a piece of velvet ribbon

Tips and Tricks for DIY Christmas Ornaments

I couldn’t tell the difference between the glass and the clear plastic ornaments once finished. So why not try both? If you’re concerned about breakage, plastic ornaments are a great choice. They’re lightweight and won’t weigh down your tree.

Experiment with color: A Kaleidoscope of Mercury Glass: Want to add a splash of color to your beautiful ornaments? Experimenting with different metallic colors of paint can transform your mercury glass ornaments into stunning, one-of-a-kind piece.Remember, the possibilities are endless! Don’t be afraid to experiment and have fun with color.
Here are a few ideas to inspire your creativity:
Classic Elegance: Stick to traditional metallics like gold, silver, or copper for a timeless look.
Bold and Bright: Dare to be different with vibrant colors like pink, red, or green.
Mixed Metal Magic: Combine two or more metallic colors for a unique, textured look.
Vary the Vinegar Application: Adjust the amount of vinegar mist to control the intensity of the mercury glass effect. I only applied this mixture after the first spray of paint as I liked the look of adding the pigment powder and glitter for the added texture I wanted.
Try this process on other items: Don’t limit yourself to ornaments; try items like a clear glass wine bottle, a flower vase, or a clear jar.

diy mercury glass ornaments- A tall, slender bottle and a smaller, round vase, both made of distressed, textured metal, are placed side by side against a plain white background. The bottle has a narrow neck, while the vase has a flared opening.

diy mercury glass ornaments- A decorative, ribbed glass bottle with a silver, textured stopper. The clear glass has a speckled pattern, and the bottle reflects light on its surface, giving it an elegant appearance.

How to Style Your DIY Mercury Glass Christmas Ornaments

Once you’ve crafted your beautiful mercury glass ornaments, it’s time to display them. Here are some creative ideas:

Traditional Tree Decor

diy mercury glass ornaments-A tall, white Christmas tree adorned with blue and gold ornaments and ribbons stands next to a fireplace. Embracing the blue and white Christmas decor theme, stockings hang on the mantel, and gifts are placed around the tree on a white rug. The room features large windows with brown blinds.

Classic Elegance: Hang your ornaments on the Christmas tree, either as standalone pieces or paired with others for a layered look. Be sure to check out my entire Christmas home tour featuring all my blue and white Christmas decorations!
Color-Coordinated: Group ornaments of similar colors together for a cohesive look.
Mixed Materials: Combine mercury glass ornaments with natural dried orange ornaments, gold foil balls, or other textured ornaments.

Tabletop Displays

Ornament Bowl: Fill a glass bowl or vase with mercury glass ornaments for an easy centerpiece.
Holiday Mantle: Arrange ornaments on your mantle mixed with greenery for a stunning display.
Windowsill Display: Create a magical windowsill display by hanging ornaments from a ribbon or string.

Gift-Topping

Add a unique touch to your gifts by tying a mercury glass ornament to the package as an added gift.

By incorporating these styling ideas, you can elevate your holiday decor and showcase your handmade ornaments beautifully and festively.

Wrapping Up

Following this simple DIY tutorial, you can create stunning mercury glass ornaments that add vintage elegance to your holiday decor. So, gather your supplies, let your creativity shine, and enjoy the process of crafting these beautiful ornaments. Happy crafting!

Did you make this craft?

We would love to see what you have created, so mention us @wmdesignhouse or tag us using #wmdesignhouse so we can see your creations!

More about me!

Hello, I’m Wendy – a dedicated homemaker with a deep passion for decorating, gardening, cooking, and crafting. I find joy in harmonizing beautiful elements to fashion a space that is both comfortable and inspiring. I will help you create a beautiful home, one project at a time.

DIY Mercury Glass Ornaments: How to Make Christmas Magic

Mercury Glass Ornaments