Can you believe that I made this DIY Storage Ottman from a Home Depot Bucket? Well, I did, and I will show you how!This post was done for a Look for Less challenge. This is where you make a high end decor piece for LESS! [Read more…]
Furniture Makeover – Upcycled Bombay Chest
Have you ever painted a room or bought a new piece of furniture, and you wake up in the middle of the night, just to go and look at it, because it makes you feel happy?
That is totally how this up-cycled furniture project made me feel, and the best part is that I created it myself, which makes me even more special! And here is the really cool part. I’m going to help you get that same feeling. [Read more…]
DIY Mirror from Paper!
Yep, Another mirror 🙂 I like mirrors. And I especially like a DIY mirror. They are such great decor pieces. Great for filling a small or odd shaped spaces. This one was done as part of the Look for Less Challenge, which I participate in every month.
Inspiration
The inspiration piece for this project is this mirror from Bed Bath and Beyond. It retails for $199
Youtube
As always if you would prefer to watch this on video – click here!
DIY Mirror Supplies
Here are the supplies you will need to complete this project
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Foam Core – 1 piece
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Poster Board – 3 pieces (black)
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Rust-Oleum metallic Gold spray paint
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Rust-Oleum Dark Bronze Hammered Spray Paint
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Dollar Tree round mirror
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Rope Cord
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Hot glue
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Optional
Backing
To make the backing for this diy mirror cut a circle out of the foam core. I used a 19″ hoop that I had on hand to trace around, this used up the width of the foam core. If you don’t happen to have a metal hoop kicking around your house, just use a piece of string and a pencil or sharpie to draw your circle.
Squares
Next we will need to make cones. But before we make cones, we’ll need to make squares! You can make these by just measuring them out on the poster board. I used a paper trimmer to cut mine. I bought the trimmer when I did this project, and I am loving it. These inexpensive cutters make this a much easier task. Or, if you are still able to go to your office, you can always borrow their paper cutter. Or just use a pen, ruler and scissors.
There are 3 different sizes of cones and you will need to cut the following sizes
3″x 3″
4″x 4″
5 x 5″
You’ll need 24 of each. Although this number may vary a bit depending on how tightly you roll them, and how closely you glue them.
Cones
Now we get to roll up some cones. These are rolled from corner to corner. Just overlap them a bit and apply a small amount of hot glue to the seam. Don’t worry too much about keeping the bottom of the cone perfect, since this part will be covered by the following layers and you won’t see them. Roll up all of your cones prior to gluing them to the backing board. You will end up with 24 each of 3″,4″ & 5″ cones.
Attaching Cones
Starting at the outer edge of your foam core circle, glue the cones. Having the wides part of the opening aligned with the edge of the backing, keeping the cones all at the same level, using hot glue. Just continue to work your way around the circle until it is completed. Here is what each level looks like:
Paint
Once all of the cones are in place, first remove any glue strings, since these will show up once painted. Next give everything a coat of Rust-Oleum metallic Gold spray paint. Coat everything including the inside of the cones. Also remove the frame from the mirror and spray that as well. I actually really liked the finish with just the gold.
Second Colour
As I mentioned I actually preferred the solid gold colour of the first coat of paint. However, I decided to add a second colour in order to give the piece more of a metal look. How I did this is by using rustoleum dark bronze hammered finish and using gentle pressure on the spray nozzle to give a speckled effect on top of the gold paint. Here is a close-up of what this finish looks like. If you don’t like the finish, don’t worry. it’s just paint, you can always paint over it!
Rope Accent
The final thing I did was to add a rope accent around the mirror. I used a twisted gold rope from the dollar store. To attach it to the mirror frame, first glue one end of the rope to the frame, and then pull it tight around the outside edge, stretching it slightly as you go. Gluing a section at a time. Glue down the cut end wrapping it toward the underside of the frame, so it won’t be visible from the top. Spray with the same finish as the rest of the mirror.
Assembling
After the additional paint finish has been added to the mirror frame, and has dried. Clean and reattach mirror to frame. Then glue the mirror in place inside the centre of the cones.
Hanger
Attach a picture hanger to the back of your diy mirror with hot glue. Then you just need to find the right place to hang your new mirror. And since this cone mirror is made from paper and foam core, it is very light, so you can hang it pretty much anywhere.
Here is the cost comparison for this project, since it was done as part of the look for less challenge.This is a simple project that can be done with minimal supplies, most of which can be purchased at the dollar store.
Here’s an update for you. I decided that it really did look better in straight gold, before I added the accent colour. So, I went back and painted over in gold. And then to add a bit more bling, I added in rhinestones on all of the cones. I like the way it looks so much better now.
I hope you enjoyed this project. Here is another mirror project that you might like
Note that these links may contain affiliate links, I may earn a small commission, if you make a purchase through one of my links, AT NO ADDITIONAL COST TO YOU. Click here for my full disclosure. Thank you for helping to support my blog!
DIY Giant Halloween Spider
I decided I needed to make a giant spider before Halloween. When I started this project it was already October 10th, which didn’t leave a lot of time. But what the hell. I figured -Worst case scenario is I get it finished by next year!! I did manage to get this one in just under the wire, so you can Pin this one now for next year 🙂 [Read more…]
How to Build an Upholstered Bed
Hang around and I’ll show you how to build an upholstered bed!I made this DIY uphosltered bed frame as part of my Master Bedroom project that I did for the One Room Challenge
I did the frame and the headboard. If you are interested in the headboard post click here.
If you want to learn how to build an upholstered bed frame stick around!
DIY Feather Mirror
How to Make a Perfect Feather Mirror
I decided to make a pretty feather mirror. And to tell you the truth it was awful. I’m not kidding. My first attempt at this was not good. Keep reading and I’ll show you what it looked like. So, this is in fact my second version, and it is sooooo much better. Having said that there is still room for improvement, and I will pass all of those things onto you, so that when you make yours, it will be even better than mine 🙂
Supplies for DIY Feather Mirror
Goose Feathers
10″ round mirror
circular serving tray or board
hot glue gun
Rust-Oleum 2X Ultra Cover – White
Decorative trim
Youtube
As with most of my posts, I have also done a YouTube video of the process. You can click here to view.
The first time I made this feathered mirror, I didn’t use goose feathers. I just used feathers that I bought from Wal-mart and they were not tapered at the ends. They were more cut off. So the end result was not very symmetrical. I sourced my goose feathers from 2 places. I bought some from the dollar tree and some from amazon. The feathers from Amazon were definitely nicer, they were in better shape and were generally whiter. But they were a bit more expensive. I did a bit of math and the cost came out to about 50% more expensive. But they were still pretty affordable.
Bend and Direction
You will notice when you get your feathers that they do not all bend in the same direction. And since there is difference from the front to the back of the feather, you can’t really just flip them over to make sure they all bend in the same direction. So when you get all of your feathers, take the time before your start assembling to split them into different piles depending on the direction that they are bending in. You will probably also have a pile for those that are shorter and straighter.
Making your Circle
Now that all of your feathers are organized into piles you will need to mark out your circle that you will use as your guide to keep the edges of your mirror perfectly round. To do this I used a display board from the dollar store. You could also use a large piece of cardboard. Then you will want to draw a circle the size that you want your finished feather mirror to be. I drew my circle 25.5″ around, which was almost the full size of the display board width.
Compass
To make my circle I made my favourite home-made compass. I used a Sharpie, a piece of string (or wool, or ribbon, or whatever is available) and a small screwdriver. Measure and mark the centre of the board. Tie the string around the screwdriver and poke into the cardboard at the centre mark and then use the string to determine how large you want the circle to be. Attach the other end to the sharpie and then draw your circle, keeping the screwdriver upright.
Pizza Pan Options
I used a large round pizza tray from the dollar store for the base of my feather mirror. This is one of the pieces that I think could be improved upon. I found the tray that I used to be a bit too thin, and a bit wobbly once all of the feathers and mirror were attached. So I would suggest instead using something a bit stiffer. You can still use a pizza pan, just not one that’s too flimsy. You could also just use a piece of foam core, and that would work fine too.
Paint the pan white, using spray paint, just in case it shows through in any spots.
Paint and Tape
Measure to the centre point of your pan and poke a hole in it and then using that, centre it on the cardboard, using the existing hole that you made when you drew your circle. Or If you are not able to make a hole just measure to the outside edges of the tray to make sure that it is centered in the larger circle. Then tape it down. Make sure that the tape is in a location where it will not be glued down.
Attaching the Feathers
Time to make that diy feather mirror. The most important thing when you are placing your feathers, is to use that outside circle as your guide, which will keep all of the outside edges perfectly aligned and make your mirror FABULOUS! So do not pay too much attention to the quill end of the feathers, instead pay attention to where the feather end meets the outside circle. Just glue into place. Since you had already sorted the feathers into piles depending on direction, do the first level or row with all of the feathers facing in the same direction.
Second Layer
When doing the second layer, use the feathers facing in the other direction. Keep paying attention to the outside edge and maintain the same distance from the first layer all the way around.
Third Layer
I only did three layers, you could do more, if you like. For my final layer I chose feathers that were a bit shorter and fairly straight. The goal with this layer is to cover up all of the areas where you can see the quills.
Mirror Support
You will need to attach something to support your mirror, as the feathers are raised enough that you won’t have good contact with the pizza pan. I just used a piil cap, since it was about the right height and not too big. Since my feathers were a bit crowded in the centre area, I went in with a small pair of wire cutters, and cut away any quills that were in the way of the lid. Then I just attached it to the pizza pan using E6000 and hot glue to hold it in place while the E 6000 dried.
Mirror
I used E6ooo to attach the mirror. This gives you lots of time to adjust.Once you have placed the mirror, make sure it is centered by measuring to the outside edges of the feathers. Then let dry overnight
Decorative Cord
To finish it off I added some decorative trim. This is twisted cord that I picked up at the dollar store in silver. I taped off the end to the cord so that it wouldn’t unravel and glued the end under the mirror, since there is room under the mirror. Then applying hot glue to the outside edge of the mirror, pull the cord around so that it stays perfectly circular. Don’t let it slip under or your circle will look wonky. Once the cord is applied all the way round the mirror, tape, cut and tuck the other end of the cord under the mirror.
Hanger
Since the pizza pan was very thin, I just poked a couple of holes in the edges of the pizza pan, using a small sharp pair of scissors. And then tied off a piece of ribbon across the back. The mirror is very light weight, so can be hung easily without any reinforcements. A small nail or picture hanger will hold it up.
The Original Attempt
ok, ok, I promised I would show you my original version. so here she is in all of her glory, or lack there of. Unfortunately I lost the card. that had the pics on it, and the only I could find was before the mirror was attached, so the mirror is replaced here by a well placed circle. 🙂
After pics
Here is what it looks like in my spare bedroom with my zingy wallpaper
Note: This post contains affiliate links for your convenience. You NEVER pay more. I may earn a small commission if you purchase something through one of my links. Click here for my full disclosure. Thanks for helping pay the blog bills. 🙂
DIY Moroccan Lanterns
I love the look of a Moroccan lantern. So, I decided to make some DIY Moroccan lanterns. I have seen these done before using mason jars. However mason jars are a bit more farmhouse than I am, so for mine I went with cylinder vases from the dollar store. [Read more…]
Beautiful DIY Painted Vase
How to Make a Painted Vase
I am about to show you an easy and inexpensive way to make a really beautiful decor piece for your home, that you can customize in whatever colour works for you! [Read more…]