This is easily the most unusual item I’ve ever crafted with. I couldn’t be happier with the end result, though. Any guesses as to what I used to make my sunburst mirror?
This post first appeared at Dollar Store Crafts, where you can find my NEW tutorial every Tuesday! This project actually made it into DSC’s top 10 posts for 2013. I had worried that people might think the item I used was gross, but I was happy to receive such a favorable response. I love that other makers can see the beauty in something that we usually just discard.
I’m always looking for ways to repurpose or recycle what I have. Why buy it if you can make it, right? I obviously get this from my mother, because when she brought me a large container full of shiny fish scales I agreed with her that they were too pretty to put in the trash. They’re nearly unbreakable, and they remind me of capiz shells.
My mother cleaned the scales in soapy water before bringing them to me. If you’re not a big fish eater, you could recreate this look with silk flower petals. The bridal section at Dollar Tree has a bag of white silk petals that would make a beautiful sunburst mirror like this one.
Supplies:
- LargeFish Scales
- Frame
- Glue gun
- Mirror or spray paint
To make your own fish scale sunburst mirror:
Step one: Paint the frame white. I used a $1 frame from Michael’s.
Step two: Start from the outside edge and hot glue a row of scales around the frame.
Step three: Continue filling in rows until the frame is covered.
Step four: Insert a mirror. I actually did not have a mirror to fit this frame, so I sprayed Krylon’s Looking Glass paint on a piece of plastic I cut from a package.
Your new sunburst mirror is now ready to be displayed! What do you think, would you craft with fish scales? It’s actually common in some cultures, I’ve learned!
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