Our Shim Mirror: Part 1

There are plenty of people out there that have made their own shim mirror, by no means do I think I am some creative goddess, but I want to share with you what I like/don't and what worked/didn't so hopefully I can help someone out there if they chose to make one of their own!

I found this mirror at Momtastic  - great tutorial and neat ideas on framing your mirror out.

This is a massive shim mirror that I LOVE, but didn't want the mirror that big since mine will be going over a sideboard in the DR.  I like the varying "rays" in this one.  This mirror is frame Crazy Wonderful.

Tips:

• When you go to the store go ahead and buy 15-20 packages of shims.  I used the smaller standard sized shims that came in a pack of 12ish for $1.48 at Home Depot.  They also carry longer shims, but those come in smaller packs and are more expensive.  I purchased 13 packs of shims thinking that people must have been crazy to use 18 or 20 for a mirror - WRONG.  I had to go back to the store.  I would rather take something back the next time I go than have to go back to the store.  
• Shims are not perfectly cut or perfect quality.... each one will vary in color, size, and how "nice" it looks (so just be prepared)
• The shims are also not all the same width (remember this)
• I suggest gluing each pack of shims together and then placing them in a pattern, getting the design laid out right, and then marking on the wood (since I will be painting later) to see where the end of the shim comes on the next pack of shims that you glue together.
• Some of the tutorials I saw used a floral wreath ring, and I purchased one.  When I finished gluing all the shims together I was worried that the one inch pressed particle board wreath ring wouldn't give the shims enough stability so I went and purchased a square piece of wood.  
• I glued the shims together with hot glue and the mirror and back board on with gorilla glue.  I purchased some "Dap" glue that claimed to work on several materials.... I tested gluing (2) shims together and after almost 2 hours it was still just as wet as it was when I first put them together... I decided not to attempt to use this glue.  

I was going for a random look, so I randomly glued each pack of shims together and then laid it out.  Notice that I staggered each pack to give it more of a "sunburst" look.

Here you can see each piece of (1) pack of shims. 

(13) packs of shims in.... and I had to go back to the store.

Drying time.  

Since each group of shims I glued together was random, the shims didn't fit together  like a pie, I flipped some shims around to make sure the wreath is more sturdy.  

So when I moved it.... one group of shims didn't get glued after all.  oops.  

Gorilla glue + 53lb overnight = secure mirror!

I'm currently waiting for my free time and the sun to coordinate so I can spray my mirror.... hopefully after work today!  It's going to be white or gold, I can't decide and I'm completely torn between the two.  With it going on the deep turquoise walls I think the white would POP, but the gold seems like it would add that metallic texture to the room.