Gift Idea: Make A Pretty Floral Frame Mirror

Ideas Magazine asked us if we could make something pretty for their Handmade Christmas edition, and so I scoured my Pinterest pages for ideas. I saw this gorgeous little floral frame mirror from Anthropology earlier this year and immediately fell in love with it. When I saw it again in my DIY project ideas folder, I knew it was the ideal project for the magazine! It’s the perfect gift for a special friend or something that you can make to adorn your home this festive season.

Anthropology metal flower mirror

 

How complicated: easy

How long: 5 hours

Make A Gorgeous Floral Frame Mirror

You will need:

  • Round mirror with fixing bracket at the back (we got ours from Mr Price Home)
  • Cardboard circle, about 2cm smaller than the mirror’s edge, and some Prestik
  • 1 roll craft metal
  • Spray adhesive
  • Flowers and leaves template
  • Pen
  • Scissors
  • Spray paint (we used Krylon Color Master in Rose Gold)
  • Embossing tool
  • Wood glue

 

STEP 1:

craft metal and spray adhesive

Create a double layer of craft metal by fixing two layers together with the spray adhesive. Allow to dry.

 

STEP 2:

craft metal and paper flower templates

Roughly cut the flowers and leaves from the template, leaving some space around the shapes. Then trace the shapes onto the craft metal using a pen. Use the same shapes several times – we cut out about 20 flower shapes, seven branches and five leaves.

 

STEP 3:

craft metal and thread cutters

Cut out the traced shapes on the metal sheet using a pair of scissors. Take care not to cut yourself on the sharp edges!

 

STEP 4:

craft metal and mirror spray paint

Fix the cardboard to the centre of the mirror with some Prestik. Then place all the metal shapes and the mirror on a covered surface, and spray with the spray paint. Allow to dry before finishing with a second coat.

 

STEP 5:

craft metal flowers

When the flowers are dry, use the embossing tool to shape the petals gently. Play around with bending the petals up or down to find the flower look you want.

 

STEP 6:

craft metal flowers on mirror

Arrange all the flowers and branches on the mirror. Once you’re happy with the arrangement, fix everything onto the mirror with the wood glue. Allow to dry overnight.

Super Easy Round Studded Mirror DIY

For our Cottage Renovation project, I wanted to have a round mirror to hang above the console table in the dining room. Our budget was seriously pushing red though, so I had to choose between buying a table lamp or a mirror. Knowing I could make a cool mirror, I bought the lamp, a pre-cut round mirror, and got to work! If you have a little spot that could do with something über trendy, then this round studded mirror DIY is for you!

You will need:

round studded mirror DIY

  • Mirror (buy one pre-cut or have one cut at your local glass shop)
  • Chipboard circle, cut to 10mm bigger than the mirror.
  • 4mm Hardboard, cut to 50mm strips that are long enough to go around the chipboard circle.
  • Chipboard screws
  • Matt black spray paint
  • Double-sided foam tape
  • Brass upholstery tacks
  • Metal to metal adhesive
  • Brass chain or leather strap – I was going to use the chain and then I remembered that I have an old belt laying around, begging to be used!

Method:

//STEP 1

round studded mirror DIY

Use the chipboard screws to fix the hardboard strips around the perimeter of the chipboard.

//STEP 2

round studded mirror DIY

Spray with the matt black spray paint (always spray in a well-ventilated area or outside).

//STEP 3

round studded mirror DIY

Fix the upholstery tacks around the perimeter, equally spaced. To cover the chipboard screws, cut the pin from the tack and fix over the screw with metal to metal adhesive.

//STEP 4

round studded mirror DIY

Fix the leather strap to the frame with the brass tacks.

//STEP 5

round studded mirror DIY

Fix the mirror to the frame using the double-sided tape. I used 2 layers to create some added depth.

Now, look at yourself in the mirror and smile!

Happy making!