SO as promised, a convex traffic/ security mirror makeover:
You know those security/traffic mirrors you see on the road so people can see oncoming traffic from around a corner or a blind driveway? Or in your local convenient store to watch shop lifters?
Well I happen to think they make for a kick ass hack for your home. (I can watch my kids from anywhere in the room)
This project all started with a convex mirror I found while picking pieces to redo at the Furniture Bank. I thought the big mirror would be a fun sunburst mirror project- I just wasn't sure what I would use this time for the "burst".
Cheryle came to the rescue and brought back a woven curtain panel (the ANNO STRA) from her latest IKEA haul. Its only $9.99 for the 24"x108" woven straw-like panel....
I decided that I would try to cut and layer it.
I started by pulling a few (3-4) rows of the strings out that bound it on each side...
I then cut it longways down the center of the panel, making one strip wider, the other smaller. One strip was 6 sections, the other 7 (by sections I mean the segments above between the white string). I did a test of two pieces to see how it took spray paint.
It did great (with Rustoleum Bright Gold):
I stacked and folded the two pieces together and plated around with a layered look until I was happy....
I then proceed to spray both strips with gold on both sides (they were cut in half in this picture so that they would fit on one drop cloth):
Once dry I brought them inside and broke out a glue gun and scissors...
I cut the strips into 3-4" wide pieces:
I first glued the shorter (6 segment) pieces along the mirror's edge, being sure to leave one segment frayed and the edge bent up...
Once I had a few of those pieces attached around the perimeter, I took the longer "straw" sections and folded them 'almost' in half making sure the finished length was a little smaller than the shorter sections.
I put a few drops of glue in the center of the longer piece....
folded, and made the fold 'permanent'...
I added some glue to the pieces that were attached to the mirror and then placed these new folded shorter pieces to them...
This created a fuller, layered sunburst, and the little bit of fringe from the first piece attached hid the second piece's seam...
I continued this all the way around...
Until I had a big, gold grassy sunburst.
Kind of hula beach chic...
Coming to your local 7-Eleven soon.
FYI-If you don't have a convex mirror, just use any round flat mirror!
