Just Hanging Out

As you have read previously (here) I made a shim mirror, I think just about everyone has made some sort of mirror on the web and here is my version.  I glued each shim together in no particular order with a hot glue gun creating groupings and then gluing each grouping together in the best "roundish" shape possible (if that makes any sense).  I decided to spray paint the whole mirror metallic gold and glued the mirror onto the shim frame (allowed 48 hours for the gorilla glue to fully dry).  I thought the rough edge of the mirror didn't look "finished" so I found a cheap bead necklace in a pack of 5 at Target for $1.  The necklace was already gold, but not the same color, so I hung the beads on a wire hanger and sprayed with the same gold spray paint.  

I couldn't decide where I wanted to put it until our furniture arrived so I held off on painting the mirror... like a month and a half (oops).  Fast forward and I have a change of heart where I want the mirror hung.  

I think it's too small to go on this large wall.  I don't want sconces or anything else next to it.  

I liked this option, but it would rarely be seen here.

Perfect.  I think the lamp that was previously here will have to be relocated. 

It took MUCH longer than I ever imagined from start to finish, but I am very pleased with the final outcome.  I will say that T originally tried to screw loop screws (not sure what they are properly called) with wire on the back of the mirror but just holding it on the wire was pulling the screws which made us nervous that we might wake up in the middle of the night to a disaster.  I googled and read online that other people used a Hangman Professional French Cleat for a more study hold.

The best part is that it comes with a built in level.  

I will say that I wouldn't trust it to hold a full 60 lbs that it claims it can hold.  The mirror probably weighed in around 15-20 lbs and T said he wouldn't trust it to hold much more since the screws don't go into two studs.  He was really pleased with the easy of hanging this, partly because the mirror didn't have a shape that one would notice if it was crocked or not, lol.

One easy project that turned into the never ending project.... now complete.

....On to the next one!

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.