Tuesday, June 1, 2010

DIY Starburst Mirror




In honor of our weekly theme, "hardware store", over at The CSI Project.....I decided to fashion a starburst mirror out of paint sticks. Did you know they will happily give you a bag full of them if you ask??? I went in prepared to pay for them, but they were so nice and happy to help me out. I proceeded to skip out the front door, smiling all the way to my car! I could hardly wait to get started.




First, I lined them all up outside and gave them a coat of black spray paint. Then I painstakingly silver leafed each and every one of those blasted sticks. It was not as easy as they make it look. I googled and you tubed and read all the tutorials....I thought I was soooooooo prepared. HA! That stuff is tricky. These are the first few I did. I wanted them a bit distressed, but not quite this much. I eventually got the hang of it.....thankfully. I decided to use silver leaf because I like the look it gives. I was going for a faux antiqued mirrored look. But, really I think you could achieve something similar with spray paint.




As you can see, I am not a patient woman. Instead of cutting the sticks like a normal person would do, I decided to just go ahead and break them with my man hands. Seriously. Then I used hot glue to attach the sticks to the back of the mirror. I used an epoxy, E-6000, to attach the hanger.





The mirror is actually a candle mirror from the craft store. They were half off last week, so this whole project cost me $3.50. The paint sticks were free and the silver leaf sheets and spray paint I already had on hand. I LOVE a really cool, really cheap DIY project!





I really like the way it brightens up this space. Now I need to work on recovering the lampshades that blend right into the walls. And the shutters definitely need some sanding and a bit of glaze to tone them down. As soon as I start one project...I always find at least 10 more mini projects within that project that need attention too! My list is never ending. But actually I like it that way. I would be lost without my LIST of things to do.......and really BORED!



The Girl CreativeThe DIY Show OffSumo's Sweet Stuff



28 comments:

Melanie said...

I LOVE how your sunburst mirror project turned out! What a great & clever use for the paint sticks! I have always been so tempted to purchase the silver or gold leaf sheets, they seem so fun to try...hmmm, may have to think up a project this summer! Thanks for the inspiration!

Jaclyn said...

Great job! I love how it turned out.

Kenzie said...

I love the mirror! It's so pretty!! And the shutters already look 100 times better!

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

Very clever, Amanda! I never would have thought of this. You must have had patience to do the silver leaf on all those sticks!

Ashley said...

Very clever! It looks great in that space.

During wedding planning, I learned they would give you the paint sticks for free and I was giddy.

Amanda @ Serenity Now said...

I LURVE it! :)

BLJ Graves Studio said...

This is so creative and I love how it turned out.

Angie Holden said...

Love your sunburst! :)

Leslie said...

Oh.So.Cute! I'm just going to have to try this. Come by and link this project up at this week's Bargain Brag Wednesday: http://www.bargainshoppingparadise.com/2010/06/bargain-brag-wednesday-6268.html

Thanks for sharing!

Cara Sexton said...

Super cute, and the shutters look awesome. I so enjoy the little vignettes you share. Thanks for the inspiration!

Decor To Adore said...

Oh my goodness! This is such a GREAT idea!

Pam Walter said...

Great idea! Looks like the retro-50's decor. www.satisfiedsole.com

Kari said...

That looks great!!!

Unknown said...

I KNEW it, you ARE a genius!!! I'm flabbergasted. :) Awesome.

Anonymous said...

i love how everything looks together! good job :)

Em said...

AWESOME! You are so smart! The shutters looks great in your signature shade as well ;)

René said...

What a great idea! You have my wheels turning for sure.

blueskiesandgreenlights said...

Your sunburst mirror idea is so genius!!! I have been looking for a cool mirror for our master bedroom, and this is perfect. I am definitely going to borrow this idae. Any tips with the silver leaf??? I have never done this before. Is it ok with you if I feature you on my blog?? My blog is so new...http://www.bsandgl.blogspot.com/

Also, I just want you to know how totally creative and awesome you are. I love your spring table runner project. I am using it for my dining room. You are such an inspiration!!!

Nancy said...

That is a very clever idea on the mirror. And it being low cost makes it even better!

Decorchick! said...

Your mirror is way cool. I was looking for a starburst mirror for our new master, but should have made one! Duh!! Great job. Visiting from Sumos Sweet Stuff and a new follower!

Mad in Crafts said...

Thanks for linking up to the Mad Skills party!

Unknown said...

What a terrific idea!
Thanks for sharing @ Anything Related No.11!
{Rebekah}

Michelle @ Sweet Something Design said...

How fun! Love how that turned out, great job!

Rebecca@This Present Life said...

How clever! I love the look of the silver leaf (I never would've guessed those were paint sticks!).

Saw you at House of Grace. http://happybabydesigns.blogspot.com

Sew Can Do said...

Genius! Fab idea. Thanks for linking to Craftastic Monday:)

Nancy said...

WOW!!! No one would ever no they were paint stirs! I love the mirror!!!!

Anonymous said...

Paint sticks? That is awesome! No one would ever guess. Thanks so much for linking up this fab project. :)

Tiffany said...

What a great idea! Another item to put on my weekend to-do list!

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