July 18, 2010

How To Make A Seashell Mirror

Seashell mirrors are so expensive when you buy them retail.  The large seashell mirrors often sell for $1000.00 and up in high end stores.  I have found some in the $400.00/$500.00 range that are beautiful too.  I  refuse to even pay $200.00 for one when I have a huge plastic bin full of seashells downstairs begging to be used.
Being a do-it-yourself kind of girl, I decided to make my own. 
I protected my dining room table and starting sorting, cleaning, and gluing on shells. We only eat in the dining room on holidays so it wasn’t in the way.
I could have finished it in a couple of days if I had worked full days.  I chose to do a little here and there…when I was in the mood.  This way,  it took me the better part of two weeks. 

My big 36” seashell mirror took me a long time to make, but it’s up and I like it!

I found this round mirror on the 75% off aisle at Hobby Lobby.
($18.00 – that’s my bargain find for this weeks parties)
It doesn’t show in the photo, but it had a large hole in it.
I filled it in with newspaper dipped in Elmer's glue.  It worked like a charm.

Next, I spray primed it.   The mirror glass was glued in so I couldn’t remove it.
You can see another smaller hole on the upper left edge that I didn’t bother to fill in.
First, I glued small shells on the outer rim.  (I used E-6000 glue)
Then, I added larger seashells,  trying to keep each side similar as I went.

After the shells were attached, I made a concoction of decorative sand, white acrylic paint, and Elmer’s glue.

I used a  paint brush to pounce this thick mixture between the tiny shells on the outer rim.

I put the back on and added heavy weight hanger wire.

The seashell mirror called for a complete mantel top makeover. 

I am going to share that later this week.
I had soooo much fun doing it!!

 

HINT:  It includes more seashells, old wood, some glass, and horns!

I am joining Sunday Showcase Party at “Under The Table and Dreaming”…
UndertheTableandDreaming

Met Monday party at “Between Naps on the Porch”…
Metamorphosis Monday

Today’s Thrifty Treasure party at “Southern Hospitality”…
Today\

Nifty Thrifty Tuesdays at “Coastal Charm”…
A New Thrifty Party @

White Wednesday at “Faded Charm
White Wednesday

Don’t forget to check back later for the mantel reveal.
Rhonda

40 comments:

  1. This is beautiful! Thanks so much for the tutorial.

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  2. Your shell mirror is just stunning! I really like your idea of mixing the sand and the glue! Thanks for sharing such a great idea. I love shell crafting too, and made a mirror several years ago, so I know how labor intensive it can be :) I have also covered boxes, and made wreathes, too!

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  3. This is gorgeous! Stopping over from MM. This looks very expensive! Great job!

    heather

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  4. Sandi at Lamp Tramp made a gorgeous shell mirror a while back. I'll try and find you the link to her post if you'd like.

    Yours turned out great! I don't think I'd have the patience to do something like this.

    Judy

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  5. Gorgeous! Love the transformation. Simply stunning. The sand and glue is genius! ~ Stephanie Lynn

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  6. Love the mirror Rhonda! I can see that you put a lot of work in it but the end result is soooo worth it!
    Gorgeous!!!
    Cindy

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  7. Beautiful shell mirror.....and it just shouts Summer! Makes me want to head to the beach and look for shells! Cathy "Girls Gone Junkin"

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  8. WOW! That turned out beautiful! Such a great size and I love the round. Can't wait to see our mantel!

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  9. Your seashell mirror is just lovely! The shells and the large size are stunning. Very cute and clever!

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  10. It turned out beautifully, Rhonda! I could see why you would do it over a few weeks time, plus I think you can step back and see where you might want a particular shell to go, too.

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  11. Thank you for the inspiration! Yours turned out beautiful! :) Love how you incorporated other things aside from shells, loving the starfish!

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  12. Wow, that mirror came out beautifully, actually it is stunning!

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  15. This turned out just beautifully! Love how you used the glue and sand concoction to fill in the spaces. It added a definite beach feel.
    :-) Sue

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  16. Wow that is awesome, great job! Thanks for sharing, saw you at Under the Table!

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  17. How much for the mirror? I love it!!

    -Rene

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  18. OMG, what a beautiful mirror. Rhonda you did an amazing job!!! hugs~~~ Daphne

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  19. This is gorgeous! I love all things sea related...you did a fantastic job. Thanks for the tutorial and for sharing!
    Sharlotte

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  20. WOW, that's a lot of shells and glue but it's beautiful!

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  21. Gorgeous! And right up my alley! Drop by my place if you can. I invite you to link up to my thrifty Thursday too.

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  22. Hi Rhonda. Just wanted to let you know I featured this today. Thanks so much for joining the Sunday Showcase Party! Hope you have a great week! ~ Stephanie Lynn

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  23. It is just beautiful....I have been wanting to do something like that, but frankly...I don't have the patience.
    Love it!!

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  24. I love it. You did a fantastic job.

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  25. Oh wow! That is absolutely awesome. You should go into business. You'd make a fortune!

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  26. This is absolutely stunning. The idea you had to mix sand, glue and paint was totally amazing. I'm impressed you found a mirror that was that inexpensive, too. All around great job.

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  27. Hi Rhonda... This turned out fabulous!! I love projects like that they you can play with as the mood strikes:-) You had a lot of shells laying around, it must weigh a ton!!
    Bella

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  28. This is incredible! It looks so professional and I love all the different shells you used :D

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  29. Your mirror is simply beautiful. My daughter does shell art so I truly appreciate all the work you put in. You are so kind to share the glue/sand idea. She frets when there are "holes" around the shells.
    Debbie

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  30. Your shell mirror turned out beautifully! I love it. I made a small one and it was a job, now you have inspired me to make a larger one.

    Great tutorial too!

    hugs
    Sissie

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  31. What a wonderfully gorgeous idea!!
    Happy day!
    xojanis

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  32. Neat mirror. That must have took a lot of time and patience.

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  33. I saw one on DIY and they added little individual pearls here and there and it gave it just that "special finishing touch". Lovely job. Jackie

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  34. Wow! How beautiful!! I tried to make one and it pales in comparison. I am going to try again, keeping in mind your tips. Thank you very much for sharing!

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  35. Hi Rhonda,

    I LOVE this project. I can't wait to try it myself on some picture frames that I picked up at a garage sale! Hope you don't mind, I shared your project on my blog Links of Interest

    Rachael
    The Smile Spot :)

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  36. I should say WOW!!, You are very creative and I love the end design. I think you could sell some of your artwork for cash.

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