Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Silvered Jugs


Have you ever had an idea about a project and felt sure you could accomplish it?  Then when you achieved the almost perfect effect you were going for, you just had to go one step further which proved to be too far.

This is a tale of two jugs.  I wanted to make them appear to be mercury glass.  I was going to be patient.  I would be successful.

First, we don't drink wine, but the lady in the booth next to mine said these were wine jugs - one clear and one pale green.  They were perfect for what I wanted to do.  Plus she had scrupulously cleaned them inside and out.

The jugs had black screw top caps which I decided to use.



Using the Krylon Looking Glass spray paint, I laid  them sideways up on the trash carts at about chin level. (Which for me is about four foot!)  You do need to see inside the jug or bottle while trying this.  Next time I will be using something smaller.  I put the nozzle inside the neck of the jug and began to spray.  I now realize I should have been wearing gloves and a mask - there is a lot of blow-back.

I rotated the jug as I sprayed.  Paint collected inside in a puddle.  I took that to mean stop spraying and did.  I spent the next ten minutes gently turning the jug around (staying horizontal) until the sides were coated. Then I sprayed the inside of the second jug following the same steps.  

At that time I went from one jug to the other rotating and coating the inside.  I also gave a light coat of spray on the outside.


THAT, folks, proved to be the one step too far.  I forgot I was using looking glass spray.  You should only spray on the BACK of the glass not the FRONT!  How dumb could I be?  Just wait.

As you can see from the photo above the effect after drying was close to what I wanted.  My neighbor actually thought they were mercury glass.  (Of course she was watching from across the street!)

Well, looking glass spray as I found out is easily scratched or rubbed off.   I took them back outside and sprayed with varnish.  I meant to use gloss, but my niece Leia was frosting the back of her window and I picked up the matte finish spray by mistake.

THAT, folks, proved to be the second step too far!

As seen in the picture the sheen was gone and they were cloudy looking with voids.  In other words they were definitely as DISTRESSED as was I.



I printed out some of those Palmer's advertising images from The Graphics Fairy to use as labels.  Though if you bought perfume in this size jug, you probably should just take more baths!

Flower images on the front and print ad label on the back.






These were looking pretty decent so I put on another layer of matte spray varnish followed by a third.

In for a pence, in for a pound.

There was no going back!








So-o-o-o - I waxed them with Howard's Citrus Shield in dark oak. You can see in the photo the before and after.  Wait, I just realized I have them in the wrong order.  You see the after and the before!







I gathered together some adornments to hang from the jugs now that I was beginning to like them again.

A label from The Graphics Fairy stamped with a "2" (the back is green adhesive cardstock stamped with script and a crown), a broken "pearl" necklace, skeleton keys, rhinestone and pearl flower stems, and silver wire.

I assembled the parts for a pleasing jewelry effect and attached it around the cap which I had glued on the jug.



Okay, this actually looks rather fancy.

I just had to go one more step.

I wrapped ivory tulle around the black cap and tied a small bow.








Here the two of them sit in silvery splendor.  You can see the front and the back.  The jugs really don't appear to be mercury glass any more, but I now know when to stop and go no further for the next project.







I know some of you have made the mistake of going one step too far when working on something.  All of us have had to remove a finish or sand or repaint from time to time.  BUT sometimes if you just keep going, the end result will be pleasing.

Remember, don't judge your jugs by their jewelry!

See y'all!



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15 comments:

  1. I think in the end these turned out really cool. I like them with the labels you added and the bling! Great job in the end even if the process was a little distressing!

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  2. I'm terribly impressed, Donna! You didn't let going "a little bit too far" ruin your fun. I just love the idea of the looking glass spray in them and would NEVER have had the guts to attepmt spraying inside without testing on something that didn't matter first. I am such a cautious little wimp. You have moxi, and your fixes upon fixes have landed you with some rather lovely treasures unlike any I've ever seen. So cool. PS: thanks for the tip on the trouble with recoating waterbased paint. Smart!
    Liz

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  3. I think they turned out pretty good in the end. I also go a step to far sometimes!

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  4. Wow! I think those turned out pretty darn good! Your last line of advice......hilarious!!

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  5. Thanks for stopping by Our Family of Three! These jugs are awesome. I'm going to start saving some of my wine bottles to make these. They would look great on my fireplace mantle! I'm now following you and can't wait to see what else you inspired me to do. We can just inspire each other =)

    Sarah Beth at Our Family of Three
    www.woodsfamilyofthree.blogspot.com

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  6. What a great save. You'd never know by the end result that you were after something else, they look great. Thanks for sharing at our party this week.

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  7. These bottles turned out so pretty. Thanks so much for sharing. I would like to tell you how sweet you were stopping by and commenting on my blog, I loved it.


    Jody

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  8. Wow, you made me tired just reading all that you did! I really like the dark wax on them. You are too funny with the perfume and taking a bath. I love reading your post:) Thank you so much for linking this up to Rustic Restorations Weekend!

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  9. I really love how the jugs turned out, and your step-by-step made me laugh too! But I did enjoy seeing the "true" way you did the jars, and appreciated the humor too! (Found you while perusing the Shabby Nest's link party!)

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  10. They look great. I like the addition of the labels.

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  11. Oh my GOODNESS!!! AMAZING! I loved them when you painted them in silver... but fell in love when you added the prints to them!

    Thanks so much for sharing this at The DIY Dreamer.. From Dream To Reality!

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  12. Great refashion! I would love for you to link this up to The CSI project this week. The challenge is refashions/upcycles. This would be perfect and you just might WIN! Come on over each week for a new challenge, new tutorials and new judges.
    www.thecsiproject.com

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  13. Love love your jugs. I just tried my hand yesterday at fake "mercury" and had no success at all. I just used some silver spray paint I found in our paint cabinet. I sprayed the outside of the glass jug and it just looks like a silver spray painted mess:) I will try your method soon. Thanks for the tutorial...Connie

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I enjoy reading all of your comments and will always answer with email. I will try to track you down if you show up as a "no reply" commenter to let you know. Friends are like that!