Decorative Mirror

This project was submitted to us by Marlene S. of Shadow Graphics in Pennsylvania. She used white waterslip decals to make a lovely design and then placed it on a regular framed mirror. The results are stunning! Think about how you could decorate mirrors for gifts or even scan designs from your wallpaper or linens to use to pull together a bathroom or any other room in your home!

MATERIALS:

Mirror (if framed, frame will need to be removed before decals are applied.)

White waterslip decals

Decal finishing spray

Scissors

Craft knife

Clipart border

INSTRUCTONS:

1) Open a blank page in your graphics program and use your favorite clipart to make a border. Borders with buildings or flowers works great and adds a nice touch to your mirror. Resize your image to fir the mirror you have chosen.

*Note - Choose an image with open spaces. For instance buildings with windows, because you will be cutting these areas out. In Marlene’s example she chose flowers and cut out the areas between some of the flowers. This way little parts of your mirror show through and adds to the beauty of your mirror.

2) Once you have your image ready to print, do a test print on plain paper. This will allow you to check the sizing for your mirror.

3) Once you are happy with your layout and sizing, print your design on a sheet of white waterslip decal paper. Let the decal dry for 15 minutes after removing it from the printer.

4) Once your decal has dried it’s time to spray one thin even coat of your clear finishing spray. Let the decal dry for one hour, then repeat this step again letting it dry for another hour. You will do this three times; each time letting each coat dry for an hour. Once the last coat has been applied let decal dry for 24 hours before cutting your image out.

5) If you are using a framed mirror you will need to remove the mirror from it’s frame. Turn mirror over & remove any staples that are holding the mirror in place. Once you have done that turn mirror over & clean with some glass cleaner then let dry.

6) Using a scissors or craft knife, cut out the desired areas of your design. Once you have all areas cut out take a bowl or pan of room temperature water and place the decal into that. Let soak of approximately 20 - 30 seconds, depending on the size of your decal. When the decal is ready to be applied to the mirror it will move freely from its backing paper.

7) Position your decal on the desired area of your mirror and slowly slide the backing paper out from beneath the decal. With a soft cloth or paper towel gently dab excess water from decal, while you slowly smooth out any air bubbles. Don’t worry about all the tiny air bubbles. Most of them will disappear as the decal dries and cures. Be sure to do this gently so you don’t tear your decal. Let dry overnight before placing the mirror back into it’s frame.

You have just made your own decorative mirror that is perfect for any decor or for use as a special gift!

Decorative Mirror Instructions

For a print friendly version, click on this link.