How to Make a Sunburst Mirror from an Old Clock
7:30:00 PM
This post was originally created for my contributor post over at My Favorite Finds. But I just knew you'd love to see this project here...so here's my latest DIY upcycle!
Hello! I’m Rachel from Architecture of a Mom and I am so
excited to be here at My Favorite Finds today! Carrie has asked me to share some frugal décor ideas,
and I have to say that I am pretty excited about today’s project...a clock upcycled to a sunburst mirror!
.JPG "Sunburst Mirror")
One of the keys to decorating on a dime is to look at things you already have, and cheap items at the store, in a different light. Sometimes, all you need is a little paint and glue to make an ordinary piece into something extraordinary!!
This clock is simply a slightly dressed up version of the
round clocks you see everywhere…schools, dorm rooms…you name it.
.JPG "Old Broken Clock")
And I know for a fact that this clock hasn't worked in over 2 years. As in, I wasn't pregnant with my twin girls (who are almost 2) when we first noticed that it wasn't keeping time. We changed the batteries….but it still wouldn't work. So what did we do? We left it on the wall. Yup. We are on top of things like that.
.JPG "Old Broken Clock")
And I know for a fact that this clock hasn't worked in over 2 years. As in, I wasn't pregnant with my twin girls (who are almost 2) when we first noticed that it wasn't keeping time. We changed the batteries….but it still wouldn't work. So what did we do? We left it on the wall. Yup. We are on top of things like that.
Well, a few weeks ago, I finally took it down, but I couldn't throw
it away. I knew I could repurpose it into something spectacular.
Here’s what you need to make this old clock into a beautiful
sunburst mirror.
Clock
2 packs of wood shims (find them in the window and door area of
your big box home improvement store—mine came in a pack of 14, and I got 2
packs for a little over $3)
Paint sample of your choice (I used a free sample of Valspar "Secluded Garden" paint in satin that I got via a coupon and some copper craft paint
that I had on hand)
Krylon looking glass spray paint (I bought mine at Walmart
several months ago for around $8)
Painting supplies (paintbrushes, painters tapes, newspaper
(used as a drop cloth and to mask areas)
Hot Glue Gun & sticks
Hot Glue Gun & sticks
Here’s what you do:
Disassemble your clock so that you have the back of the
front glass exposed (my glass was glued into the frame, so I just used tape and
newspaper to mask everything but the glass.
Use the looking glass paint to paint the back of the glass.
You will need to do about 3-4 thin coats. The looking glass paint makes a mirror-like
surface when painted on the back of glass or clear Plexiglas. Allow to dry.
.JPG)
Paint all the shims. You will most likely need at least 2
coats. I did the majority of the shim in blue, but the edges are metallic craft
paint in copper.
Once the mirror surface is dry, reassemble the clock. In
order for the paint to be most effective, you need a dark surface behind it, so
I just used the inside of the clock (with the hands removed). This also allows
you to use the hanger hardware that is already on the back of your clock to
hang your finished mirror (which in turn saves money).
Do a dry run and arrange the shims without glue so that you
are sure you like the look. Then use your hot glue gun to adhere the shims to
the back of the clock.
.JPG)
Then hang up your mirror and wonder why you lived with a
broken clock for so long! And since the only thing I bought for this project was the shims, this qualifies for a frugal project...at under $4!
.JPG "Sunburst Mirror 2")
Sometimes I link up at the following places: 504 Main, A Diamond in the Stuff, AKA Design, Alderberry Hill, At the Picket Fence, Beyond the Picket Fence, Blessed with Grace, Cherished Bliss, Classy Clutter, C.R.A.F.T., Craft-o-maniac, Crafty Scrappy Happy, East Coast Creative, Eat at Home, Finding Fabulous, Gingersnap Crafts, Glued to My Crafts, Home Stories A to Z, House of Hepworths, I Heart Naptime, It's So Very Cheri, Lil Luna, Lines Across, Live Laugh Rowe, Made in a Day, My Favorite Finds, Not Just a Housewife, One Creative Mommy, Organizing Junkie, Positively Splendid, Semi Homemade Mom, Serenity Now, Simply Sugar and Gluten Free, Six Sisters Stuff, So I Married a Craft Blogger, So You Think You're Crafty, Someday Crafts, Sugarbee Crafts, Tatertots & Jello, The 36th Avenue, The CSI Project, The Finer Things in Life, The Frugal Girls, The Grant Life, The Shabby Nest, Tidy Mom, Thrifty Decor Chick,Today's Creative Blog, Uncommon Designs, and Under the Table and Dreaming.
13 comments
I hopped over from Tatertots and Jello. What an awesome idea, it looks great! Thanks for sharing it!
ReplyDeleteKrista @thehappyhousie.com
This is incredible! I love sunburst mirrors, but I never thought to DIY one out of a clock. It looks great! I found you at It's Overflowing--thanks for sharing!
ReplyDelete~Abby =)
Visiting from classy Clutter - great job and great tutorial - love the color you chose!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Suzan
Love this!
ReplyDeleteI am really feeling your sun Burst...thanks for sharing! and for giving me an idea!
ReplyDeleteaccording2sharon.blogspot.com
This is such a awesome way to up cycle a old clock! I love the color too! I would love if you would share this over at our blog hop http://www.ablossominglife.com/2013/03/frugal-crafty-home-blog-hop-16.html
ReplyDeleteI can't believe that started as an old clock. It's gorgeous! Thanks for linking this up to Monday Funday!
ReplyDeleteThis turned out just lovely!! It's amazing all the things that can be done with simple things to make something spectacular!!
ReplyDeleteXO,
Christy
Very good idea using a clock Rachel~ It came out great! Thanks for linking up last week on Made in a Day!
ReplyDeleteKim
This is too cool and from a clock. So great! Next week is Recycle/Upcycle week at The cSI Project and I was wondering if you wanted to be the guest judge. I would love to feature this project and you. Let me know!!! I would love to have you. I would just need a pic of you and all of your links so people can follow you.
ReplyDeleteThanks!! Email me dee@thecsiproject.com
Shims...now this is a fantastic way to use them! I bought a large package of them for next to nothing to use for whatever came along...this might be it. I love it and have pinned this project! Great job, it looks fantastic. Thanks for the inspiration. :)
ReplyDeleteGreat idea! It looks wonderful, nice use for an old clock.
ReplyDeleteSaw you sharing at Thrifty Chic Decor
Debbie :)
Ooooh, that is super cool! Love how you did it with an old clock! Thanks for entering One Crafty Contest!
ReplyDelete