Awesome SeaShell Mirror!

I had a perfectly sound mirror that was chipped and tacky. It remained hidden in a closet. I'd seen seashell mirrors in cute little boutiques down at the coast. I'll make my own!

I lightly sanded the frame and sprayed it with white paint. This was just a background color to blend with the shells and I used a can of white I already had.

After letting it dry all day, I began placing my seashells around the edge.

The first thing I noticed were my shells– there was nothing special. TJMaxx, of all places, has bags of shells you can buy for $10-$20, depending on the size and variety. I bought seven starfish for $10. A variety bag for $20 of cute shells.

I had glue on hand. Some E6000, you’ve all heard me rave over. I also had some Loctite and contact cement. Before I was finished, I’d tried them all. And... once again, E6000 ... best glue EVER.

Note to self: I did not...out of pure laziness...cover my mirror with paper and mask it off. Big mistake. HUGE.

I scratched the glass trying to remove some of the glue. Ditch this mirror.

My guy brings home stuff. He brought home a perfectly good, cheap mirror. He does this, brings home random items he runs across. Some are great. Some never cross the threshold. You just never know.

This one was a winner. It was a lifesaver since I'd just ruined a perfectly good mirror.

It did have beveled glass, but the frame was just a pressed, embossed-to-look-like-it-was-carved wood. Painted gold.

I taped --very well-- and painted the replacement mirror. Then, I picked up where I'd left off with first mirror:

Work from back to front. I trimmed it with a rope glued on the edge. Next, glue background, throw away shells (I had also saved oyster shells) as filler to cover frame. I didn't want a specific top or bottom. I wanted to hang it vertically or horizontally. I placed prettier shells around edges with larger or more unique ones in the center of each side and at corners.

I placed shells around each side in a pattern, but not an identical pattern. Mother Nature is a bit random and I wanted this the same, but I did want it balanced. Also, I wanted to be able to hang it vertically or horizontally, so I placed what could be considered “focal” shells on all four sides.

I broke apart some ancient earrings– really ancient, from as far back as the 70s– and used the pearls as hidden treasures inside some of the shells.

I've now hung this in a dining room, over a spinet piano, and over our guest bed as a headboard. It looks great.

For more details and some details I learned the hard way ... come see us at -- BarefootAffairs