Mercury Glass Chalkboard Tutorial

Or rather, Mercury Glass Chalk Ink Window Tutorial (or some other nonsense like that).  Let's just stick with Mercury Glass Chalkboard Tutorial to keep it simple.

Some of you may remember this post where I showed you how I created my faux mercury glass.  Well, in this tutorial I've combined my love for chalkboards with my love for mercury glass to make a mercury glass chalkboard.  What is a mercury glass chalkboard? Let me show you:

For this 'chalkboard window' I used a vintage cabinet door that came out of a 1920's bungalow.  I'd had it sitting in the garage a while and couldn't decide what to do with it.  Finally I decided to do the single pane in mercury glass and the smaller panes I will add some photos of my kids after I get them printed.  I painted the frame itself in ASCP graphite and distressed it heavily.  Eventually I would like to hang it from a ribbon that goes through the hinges as well, but that's for another time.

To get this effect, I basically followed my instructions for the faux mercury glass I posted previously. I will do a quick run through here - I did the tutorial on an extra piece of glass I had laying around.  

I started with clean(ish) glass. 

Sprinkled it with a little water:

Lightly sprayed about 4 coats of Krylon's looking glass spray paint.

This is what it looks like when you first spray the paint.  When the surface is all even then you can spray the next coat.  Since it's laying flat you don't have to worry about runs as much, but still do light coats.  Blowing helps dry it some :)

Close up of the painted over water droplets:

After the paint is dry (took about 7 minutes or so) I very GENTLY wiped with a slightly damp very soft cloth.  Nothing rough, no paper towels or anything like that.  A piece of an old t-shirt would be perfect.  First I gently wiped one direction, then the other.  After I wiped the droplets off, I used a dry corner and carefully dried the rest of the water off.  The looking glass paint is very delicate at this stage, I'm sure if you let it dry overnight first it would be better, but I like fast projects.

Then I very LIGHTLY sprayed some Rustoleum Hammered finish in gray to give the holes some depth.

Lastly, I sprayed the entire back in flat black:

Finished glass inside (it's so hard to photograph this stuff so you can really see the detail!!)

Now, here's the actual project on the old cabinet door:

You'd probably be able to see a black chalk ink marker better, but I only have white on hand right now.  I bought my chalk ink markers are Michael's but there's a website where they have a rainbow of colors. 

This technique would be perfect for thrift store frames.  I've also used it on thrift store frames then used the frames on a table top as a tray.  You could hang it on a wall and add hooks or knobs and use it as a message center for keys or coats.  You're only limited by your imagination and 'you only fail if you fail to try!'

Update, what do you think about it set up like this?

Go mercury glass something this weekend and send me the link!
Enjoy!



As seen on:

Vintage French Postmarks and Furniture

So, I was moseying through blog world the other day when I came across this tutorial.  I usually hand draw all my own lettering but was fascinated by the idea of using stuff I already have on hand to reproduce vintage postmarks (or ANYTHING else) on my furniture.  I had already painted this small table (annie sloan chalk paint - ASCP - chateau gray):

and I was pleased with the results (here's where it started):

but I knew it wasn't finished, YET.  When I read the tut I immediately whipped out a postmark I had saved from the Graphics Fairy a while back.  I opened it in photoshop and got it ready to print as a mirror image.  Meanwhile, I went and got my freezer paper ready to go.  When that was all done and printed (I had to set my printer to iron-on transfer - it wouldn't print otherwise) I got to work burnishing the image to the top of the table.

{LOVE}  I think it's fantastic!  (if I do say so myself!)  I do have to say, it took a LONG time to dry.  I was worried then about waxing over the ink (even if it was dry) for fear that it would smear.  It didn't!  YAY!

So, with that all figured out I went to work on this little chest:

It's fairly small.  About a foot and a half wide and 14 inches deep and only 10 inches tall.  I painted it with a mix of ASCP louis blue, chateau gray, and paris gray.  It's a warm gray with just a hint of blue now:

For the image on the top I found the graphic I wanted to use then enlarged it in photoshop and made it so it would print in multiple pages.  Then I put the graphic on the top (don't mind the REALLY blue tint to the image):

It printed on two pages (using the same freezer paper method) and carefully lining up the image so that it would be seamless.  I printed this one in color, because the postmark on the top right is a teal blue.  It's beautiful!  After it dried I waxed it (and the stain came through the ASCP to make it look distressed without having to use any dark wax) so I just went with it.

I'm working on that Mercury Glass tutorial still!  Be patient - it's just me here with two small boys (and all you moms out there know how that can be!)  I'm doing my best - and want my tutorial to be awesome for everyone!

Have a great Sunday!

Before and afters

I'm working hard on a requested faux Mercury Glass tutorial, so in the meantime, I will leave you with a few before and afters:

Yes, that is fabric on top of the black and white dresser.  Very edgy and modern and not my normal style, but it was a custom order for a client and it's fabulous (if I do say so myself :) !

Early American dresser

I can't stay long :) I just wanted to share my latest finished dresser. The top of this piece had been almost ruined from something hot being sat on top.  It had actually burned the wood and then something had spilled over on it.  The fantastic chalk paint covered most of it and I distressed it after waxing it to bring out the two toned effect.

Here you go!