DIY Sunburst Mirror
I have loved sunburst mirrors since they first came on the scene a few years ago. Maybe it was longer than that. It doesn't really matter because I've always loved them.
So when I saw what looked to be an easy DIY Sunburst Mirror made out of magazines (yes, I said magazines), from Shoestring Pavilion, it had to be a sign that I must make one immediately.
It had to be a sign because I found this blog not on Pinterest, but by total accident. When I finally realized what I was looking at and that all I needed was a round mirror, foam board, magazines, hot glue, and paint, I pinned it immediately. It just so happened that I had a round mirror, which I loved, but it was always dwarfed by everything and any wall, no matter the size.
I also have a stack of old Lucky and Us magazines because I feel like I need to keep old magazines around. You just never know when someone is going to need to make a magazine collage. Because I'm twelve years old, I guess.
So, I embarked upon this project.
First, I have to explain that the foam board I purchased was sold in a pack of two at Walmart for $8. It was also rectangular instead of one big square like the original tutorial shows. We trimmed it to a square and traced the circle outline of the mirror. I didn't think it would be necessary to further trim the foam board into a circle. I was wrong but that comes later.
Then I started rolling.
I rolled on the carpet in my bedroom.
I rolled at the kitchen table.
I rolled and rolled and rolled some more.
It went on for hours. This part was the most time consuming task ever.
I also didn't manage to get the roll as tight as the original tutorial. Actually they all came out to be varying sizes, which I kinda dug.
Then I hot glued.
I hot glued like a mofo.
The first circle of reeds starts on the outside of the line. The original tutorial suggests starting in each quadrant but I got really impatient with that degree of organization and I just started gluing it around the circle.
I was finally done with the first circle.
Right around that time I realized I was out of reeds and had to make more because there is a second layer that is glued around the inner part of the circle. This layer works to add dimension and covers that foam board. But see how I should have followed directions and cut the board into more of a circle? You can totally see the square.
On went the second circle of reeds and then I tested it out to get an idea of what it would look like.
But then it was time to spray paint! You could leave it alone and it would look really interesting. I wouldn't mind that look if my walls were painted. But they're stark white with no immediate plans to paint any time soon so I wanted something that created a more bold statement.
In the tutorial the reeds are painted gold, which is awesome! And, might I add, the color of a true sunburst mirror. But I planned for black, especially because of the white wall. Our dining table set is also that dark blackish-brown espresso color so I thought black would be a good accent. I commenced to spray painting.
And I soon realize one can would not be enough. I mean, this thing is huge and has so much dimension and so many angles. It required two whole cans of spray paint.
After spraying everything as best I could, it was time to affix the mirror. The mirror is kind of heavy and the tutorial says to use hot glue. Hot glue can be fickle, as proven by the reeds that randomly popped off. I didn't trust it with the mirror. So we used a stronger adhesive over top that could only be used outside because the fumes would cause cancer or something. Swear it said that on the back of the tube.
Moving this thing was a challenge, too. Because the magazine reeds aren't terribly strong and hot glue can be unpredictable, they're easily crushed. Please note that the original tutorial used a higher quality magazine page so hers were probably stronger. But when transporting the thing inside and out, which we had to do like five times, we had to sort of create some over-under transporting action.
We also had to figure out hanging this giant thing. I didn't trust that all of the stress of the mirror's weight could be held by glue and foam board. And the mirror has perfectly good hooks already attached for hanging. So my husband ever so craftily took an exacto knife to the back of the board and cut a hole where the hooks were so all of the stress of hanging it wouldn't fall on the board, it would fall on the mirror.
And we finally hung it yesterday!
The original wall I had planned for this sunburst was not going to be enough after I realized the size of this thing. I'm not complaining. I like that it's a large piece but I had to choose a bigger wall to feature it. It's almost 45 inches across.
From this angle you can see the 3D effect of having two layers of reeds.
Also, with having it hung high up, you can't see all the imperfections!
I love it. I love how it turned out and I can't believe I did it! It was a true "upcycle" and it cost me a whopping $16 to create.
While it was more time consuming and tedious than I thought it would be and proves a little cumbersome to move, I'm very happy with how it came out and how it dresses up my little round mirror.
I would never have attempted this project were it not for an accidental clicking on Shoestring Pavilion.
Which reminds me of one of the reasons why I blog. That just so happens to be a Tuesday Topic and I'm linking up with Lauren and Tiffany to tell you about it.
I find cool ideas and blogs everywhere with things that I can actually do! I learn so much from blogging and I also like to tell everyone when I find something or complete some cool project. Not because I like to brag (not all the time), but because I want people to know how easy it is and if I can do it, so can you!
Posts
