Like magic, you can turn clear vases and candleholders into "mercury glass" and make plain framed glass look like an age-worn mirror. Just use mirror paint, and add water for a result that looks authentically old.
Tools and Materials
Glass candleholders
Vases
Picture frames with glass
Spray bottle with water
Mirror paint (krylon.com)
Antique Candleholders How-To
Work on a protected surface in a well-ventilated area. Clean glass before starting. Cover vessels' exteriors with paper, or remove glass from frame. spray interiors of vessels or frame glass lightly with water and then with mirror paint (the water will make the paint mottled). Turn vessels upside down on a drying rack (so air circulates inside). Let dry completely, at least overnight. Repeat if too sheer. For flowers, arrange in a glass and place the glass inside the vase.
I found the paint at Hobby Lobby, which they keep under lock and key. Don't forget your online coupon when you go to the store. I haven't tried it yet, but I also like the process described on the take the side street blog. I think covering/masking everything that isn't to be sprayed, holding the object sideways and spraying lightly are good hints.
Xenophile....you didn't ruin anything! I just used fingernail polish remover to remove the mirrored paint I put on some wine glasses. Now if anyone has any hints I can use for spray painting the inside of a wine glass please let me know. I want it to be a perfect and even coat without the "mottled" appearance. And I want to do it now, in the dead of winter. which doesn't seem to be working well in the cold temps! can I spread it with a brush to even it out and still get the mirror effect?
Xenophile- I came across this blog that compares metallic vs. chrome vs. glass paint: http://takethesidestreet.blogspot.com/2010/11/mercury-glass-side-by-side....
If you email this lady, maybe she could suggest a way to fix your project.
p.s. I've seen a couple of comments that the glass paint is available at Hobby Lobby, but I haven't checked myself yet. Good luck to you!
Glass paint proved impossible to find at my local craft and hardware stores, so I used a "chrome" paint. I was pretty generous with the water because I wanted to make sure I had plenty of sheer spots, but the paint still looks like it gave almost full coverage. Hoping once my glass vessels are completely dry the paint will flake off where the water was to create that mottled appearance. As of right now it looks kind of like I just ruined two vases and four glasses. . .