StarBurst Mirror

 

ummmm..... I probably should have cleaned that mirror a little better for the photos.... 

 

Thank you so much for posting THIS tutorial

So far I have linked this to an awesome blog 'Between Naps On The Porch', hopefully some one who wants to make one of these might find something useful in my experience....


Hanging this was a nightmare..... it is sharp, they are skewers used to pierce through veggies and such, so my # 1 instruction = BE CAREFUL!. Other than that making this things was a blast! I am always looking for lightweight artwork for my home, I like to change things with the seasons.  I own alot of art and decorative objects that I am no longer in love with = but am not ready to drop the cash on new items...... so thank goodness these fabulous decor bloggers and crafters have come into my life.

While I KNOW this would be even more fabulous as a darker colour I wanted to see how it would look as a bronze shade, instead of black or charcoal coloured like almost everything else I purchase = so I'm trying to branch out colour wise.

On my  skewer star burst, there are a few areas that are un-even but it looks so cool on the wall and I am so proud I made it using only dollar store Items! The lighting in my home is very dark I like it like that but it makes taking great photos very difficult So I am having a hard time getting great photos... Also I have not accessorized my FP mantle yet, so I just have plain photos of this lightweight inexpensive peice of art.

My instruction giving abilities need work, so hopefully what I have missed explaining can be made up in photos♥♥♥

The cost of this project

2 packages of 12 inch skewers @.99 each Loony Twoons Dollar Store
1 pack of 50 12 inch thicker skewers @.99 Dollar-rama Dollar Store
1 pack of Glue gun Glue @ 1.29 - Loony Twoons Dollar Store
1 circular mirror @ 2.00 - A Buck or Two Dollar Store

Because many of the skewers were crooked or cracked I needed two packages. So in total I estimate the cost to me for this project was under $10.00 = Yippee! It took a little longer than I expected but it was ALOT of fun. Most importantly it was LIGHTWEIGHT which means that it did not need to have an anchor bolt or heavy duty wall fixture. I used a tiny thin 1 1/2" screw.

I already had the paint and foam brushes but purchased the brushes and paint becuase I needed more for another future project { and to post what type of paint I use}. I used  a heavy duty pair or snipers, but you can cut these skewers with a pair of stronger scissors or any other means. I just happen to like those things strong green tin snips.


I laid out 12 of the thicker skewers, equally, then as I worked on each section, I cut the skewers accordingly. The measurements I used for my starburst mirror are,

12" = longest and largest skewer
10" = in-between each larger skewer
9" =
8" =
7" =

err...... umm....


I used a brightly coloured wax pencil to mark off the segments and also drew a line ( or circle... haha ) approximately 3/4" following the circumference as a guide line for the placement of the skewers.

Anyhoo - basically after dividing the star burst into segments. I started gluing the skewers into place. I tried to stop and take alot of photos as I anticipated adding this to my blog. I divided those segments with the 10"skewer, and divided those segments with the 7"skewer to try and keep things even.

I actually only used a tiny bit of glue while affixing the skewers onto the base, I wanted to ensure that if I made a mistake they would be easy to remove. It was very easy to add for glue later to really seal these skewers down. So far there have been no problems and this is hanging above my fire place. I did drop this one, and it hurt. Thankfully it did not pierce through my skin, but it hurt...,. so be careful when hanging!

 I am certain  I missed a few important steps and directions..... I will update when necessary♥

Supplies

this didnt work out as planned - thank goodness I had long thin screws and washers laying around

I had hoped that the 1/4" thickness along with the board and glue I would still be able to get away with using these things t fasten the face of the frame to the back ( with the skewers glued on = nope- didn't work.

Frame with back removed - I put the circular mirror in a safe place during this crafty project

I used the holes as rough guide lines ( time to buy a new 16" ruler = I got alot of use out of this one! )

I used the angles here to sorta get square.... didnt work due to the excess glue when I began gluing the skewers on, as well as the different dimensions of each skewer. They are roughly 1/4" inch thick, but alot were much thinner so it sorta threw my calculations out of whack. but it still turned out lovely.

Foam brushes and paints from the Dollar-rama

In order to pain this mirror frame and not apply the pain too thickly ( causing the detail to be lost) I used 3 thin coats of paint. I affixed a crude handle using a piece of cardboard, and took my time, laying on 3 thin coats. I actually used a blow dryer in between coats becuase I really, really wanted to finish this project.

2nd coat

Here is some designs I toyed around with. There are alot of different ways to make these. Alot of different ways to lay out your star burst. I am looking forward to seeing the patterns other people come up with

This is what I went with

Here are a few more photos of the placement and gluing the skewers on

I used a piece of cardboard to keep the skewers level, otherwise they would point out when it is face forward.

a photo to sorta explain how I arranged these skewers

Copious amounts of glue. I did use less glue than many of the other star-burst mirrors I have seen, becuase I used skewers instead of dowels, which are much heavier than skewers.

Filling in a few spots.......This is gluing the underside after all my skewers have been affixed.

All skewers are glues on, awaiting painting

Here I have laid the mirror on top to see my progress.... look'in good!

I painted the back first, using the paint I mixed up, and using a small foam brush.

Here it is painted, with 3 coats of paint, I took my time and was sure to cover all areas, when it was dry I applies Plaid Water Based Satin Finish Varnish, just for a little sheen. I used 2 thin coats  on the entire piece.

I had hoped I could get away with using the fastening system that this picture frame already had, but I ended up digging through my container of screws and finding 3 long similar dimension screws that were much longer than what originally came with this mirror. I needed to use washers and some other creative methods becuase the hole was now too big......

And here is the backside finished. I added small felt pads to protect my wall from the protruding screws, I also had to GENTLY bend the hanger thing to catch the screw I inserted into my wall to hang this.

♥