Anthro Inspired: "Mosaic" Mirror

Anthropologie, how can you do this to me time and time again? You send me newsletters containing the most fabulously designed pieces, but they always come with a price tag that makes my wallet want to enlist in the witness protection program. A lampshade for $128? A rug for $1098? Sure, I’ve got this spare kidney which could easily go for a few bucks, but I should save it in the event a friend or family member needs it.

In my opinion, one of the best things Anthropologie puts out is their collection of mirrors. They always come up with really interesting ways to modernize the same ‘ol mirror, and their "Pieces of Yesterday" mirror is no exception. I really like how the tiles don't match, but they do. It's really easy to put something like this in your home because it'll pretty much match anything.

Want this in your home? ME TOO. Let's figure out a way to make this a little more accessible (read: cheaper) so that we can all get our hands on something like this.


Supplies:

• Mirror- mine came from a set I bought at Ikea
• Hard Coat Mod Podge
• Brush
• Patterned cardstock

I started by rummaging through my "I'm going to use that one day for a really awesome DIY project" pile, and found this cute little Ikea mirror. The mirror on Anthro's site is 12" square, and this one is only 7.75", and is also not perfectly square like the other one. The tiles on the real mirror are mosaic, and I only have sturdy cardstock. Eh, no matter. DIY is all about taking what you have, and getting an equally lovely result.

The next thing I did was pick out a few pieces of patterned paper (nicer quality works better) which would become the "mosaic tiles" on the mirror. For those of you nervous about picking out colors/patterns, use a cardstock stack. Everything in there is pretty much meant to go together. I measured the squares, and laid them out to make sure everything fit.

 I brushed the back of each page with Hard Coat Mod Podge, and adhered them to the mirror. If you don't know what Mod Podge is, check out Plaid online which explains what it is, and how to use it. After all of the "tiles" set, I started brushing the mod podge over each piece. I applied 2 thin coats per package instructions.

Note: I did not use tape to seal off the exposed mirror area. I only had scotch tape, and thought it may be difficult to get it off of the mirror. Masking tape would work much better. 

Once everything dried, I took some rubbing alcohol and cleaned off the glue that got all over the mirror. Rubbing alcohol is GREAT for removing glue, stickers, price tags on colorfast surfaces.

Let's take a look at the finished product!

This project was really easy, and I think the final product turned out really well. The best part is that I already had everything on hand so I was able to make this funky little mirror for absolutely nothing!

Welcome to My Blog

I've never considered myself an artistic person. My drawing, even when it's looking its absolute best, appears to be something you'd find on a cave wall, and not at an art gallery. My sewing ability leaves something to be desired, I can't seem to get the hang of knitting, and don't even get me started on hand lettering. 

It wasn't until last year, when I started receiving compliments on homemade gifts, that I realized I may actually have something to offer. I started cruising around the internet for "home decor on the cheap" projects, and found tons of blogs dedicated to helping the artistically-challenged become craft success stories. I am now on my way to becoming one of those success stories!

This blog is my adventure through upcycling, replicating expensive things I've found in catalogs, sharing the things other bloggers are creating which I covet, and anything else I think is worth showcasing. I want my blog can be a place where those who believe they can't find out that they actually can. I hope that, in sharing my own crafting adventures, I can help others create their own.

Thank you so much for stopping by :)