Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Mercury Glass/Silver Leafed Bowling Ball


I have some dear friends who love to give me stuff rather than throw it away. It is a bit of a game to them to give me stuff as a challenge and see what I come up with. Early this summer they said they had a bowling ball for me. My family was a bit startled to find a bowling ball on the front step but I knew where it came from.


I bought a chunky wooden lamp from GW (4.99 if I remember correctly) and a clock face for the base. Spray paint, silver leaf, and clear coat completed the transformation.

Edited: I finally remembered where I got this idea - it is from. Gina at the Shabby Chic Cottage.

I wanted it to look like old glass so I didn't try to make the silver leaf coverage perfect,

Does it work? What do you think?

BTW I don't think this is the permanent home for the gazing ball so I didn't stage it.

I will be sharing this at.




Keeping It Simple
UndertheTableandDreaming

Party Button

Beyond The Picket Fence
Make it Yours @ My Backyard Eden



Hump Day link

28 comments:

  1. What a fun transformation! It does look very like mercury glass.. which I love! I keep lusting after mercury glass vases and christmas tree baubles which I can't really afford.. maybe I could fake it with your technique!

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  2. I think it is beautiful. Works very nicely. That is so funny your friends left you a bowling ball on your front porch. My family gives me all their throw-aways!

    Great job!

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  3. Never ever had seen such lovely ball!
    Have a happy day Melissa. COuld you please send some sunbeams my way? xxxx

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  4. I wish I had friends like that! I think it came out great & I like the "not total coverage".

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  5. Great job, it looks just like mercury glass! Smart to use a bowling ball too, those are pretty cheap and easy to come by. I could never have one of those at my house though, I shudder to think of the damage my kids could cause with it.

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  6. Oh I love love love love and did I mention LOVE it?! This is spectacular!

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  7. OMG girl!! it looks terrific!! It does look like old mercury glass. Simply amazing!
    *hugs*deb

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  8. It looks really good! I never would have guessed it used to be a bowling ball!

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  9. I don't know whether to laugh or hang my mouth open in shock. Oh my goodness! I can not believe you took that challenge and made something so beautiful and unique out of it. What else do you have up your sleeve? I am amazed. Lisa~

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  10. So beautiful up on its pedestal - I want one now. What great neighbors!

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  11. I love silver leaf, oh the possibilities. This is fantastic...never would have thought of it. The proportion between the ball and base is just right. Great job:-)

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  12. It looks beautiful! you do have very nice friends :-)

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  13. It would look great in the garden, as a gazing ball!

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  14. How wonderful that your friends give you such wonderful things! I am sure they are impressed by your creativity!

    I hope you don't mind but I have tagged you with an "award"...please stop by if you have a moment. I am also having a giveaway!

    Best wishes,
    Natasha.

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  15. Totally captivating. Have to try this. The bowling ball in mercury glass is such an outstanding decor element. Kudos.

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  16. That looks cool Melissa! I totally understand the displacement of things, til I finally find the HOME! And yes of course my husband was rewarded for his geniusness!! LOL

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  17. OOOH! That's really gorgeous! Now to find a bowling ball... :)
    Thanks for linking up to Making It With Allie!

    AllieMakes.Blogspot.com

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  18. What a great idea!! I will never look at a bowling ball the same way again!!

    Debbie

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  19. Totally awesome, Melissa! Love it! Very cool.

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  20. It looks great - what an unusual transformation and you're right, the 'imperfect' finish is an important part of the look.

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  21. That is a bowling ball? No way! Cool idea and a great transformation!

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  22. I would never be able to tell that was a bowling ball. It turned out beautifully! I LOVE the silver leaf!

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  23. This is brilliant! How did I miss this? Love it :D

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  24. What a wonderful idea!!! Love how it turned out! Thanks SO much for joining in on Thrilling Thursdays @ Paisley Passions. I hope to see you again this week :)
    ~Lori S.
    Thrilling Thursdays @Paisley Passions

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  25. PS- I am featuring this on Thrilling Thursday tomorrow. Feel free to stop by and grab a featured button if you would like :)

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  26. How beautiful! Gotta love free stuff - especially when you can make it look that fabulous!

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  27. You "bowled me over" with this transformation, Melissa. LOL Great job!

    Thanks for linking to my party. I would love to have you join me each week.

    Liz @ the Brambleberry Cottage
    http://thebrambleberrycottage.blogspot.com/

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