DIY Window Frame Mirror - Simple and Easy!

Another DIY Project how-to! :) 

I've admired many of these DIY Window Frame Mirror projects on Pinterest. I thought I had a few pinned to my boards, but I was clearly mistaken! I must of just Googled the steps. :) They are EXTREMELY simply to make and can add a mirrors touch to any room. I've used one of the two that I made in my office at work. It's great. I've always wanted a mirror in my office, but didn't want to spend the money. These were only about $10 a piece! That's right, TEN DOLLARS! 

Only 4 ingredients for a successful project! What you'll need: 

1. A new or used window frame. My best friend was able to find a lot of them on Craigslist for around $50 dollars. I'm not sure how many she picked up, but I purchased 2 off of her for $10. You can probably find them at Habitat ReStores! 
2. Rust-Oleum - Mirror Effect Spray Paint. One can and I was able to make both mirrors. I could have applied a few more coats, so one can seemed to be good. 
3. Painter's Tape. You don't really need it. I honestly only taped the first one out and figured out that I didn't need it! But it may be nice to have if you want to do some sort of pattern on your window. 
4. Window Cleaning Product of your choice. 

Clean your mirror, both sides, thoroughly! Make sure you let it dry. I did not and it left streaks on the mirror. It actually looked fine, as they are kind of "vintage." It added to the feel. 

I'll preface the first step by saying it is not necessary unless you are going to make patterns in your windows. Painter's tape isn't necessary. 

Make sure you read the back of your Mirror Effect can. It's essential that you spray the back side of your window (IE: the side that you do not want to display.)  If you're going to use Painter's Tape, tape the back side of your window in the pattern or on the sides (if you want to keep them clean.)

Shake your Mirror Effect can very well. About 2 minutes (or at least 1 minute.) 

Beginning straying away! Make sure you evenly coat the backside.  It only takes about 5 minutes for each coating to dry, which is fantastic! It makes the project very short. The pictures below were after 1 coat (you can see it drying) and then after 3 coats. I only used 3 coats as I felt like it gave me the desired effect I was looking for.

The Final project looked great! I was so happy with it. Here it is below only minutes after completion. I happened to do both at the same time (sprayed one, let it dry, sprayed the other, etc.) 

Here is the second one in my office (with some other of my craft projects that I'll do a How-To for after Christmas.) 

Such a simple product to make great home or office decor! 

DIY Ornament Wreath

It's been an interesting quite few weeks! The most exciting news is: I've accepted a position with North Carolina State University! I'm extremely excited. I start on December 1st, and I cannot wait.

I've been spending a lot of time doing crafts (which I probably shouldn't be, because I've got a ton of homework that needs to get done)! Mainly Christmas presents that I cannot share yet, but definitely will.

I've never been big on the Christmas decorations. I've never really wanted to get a tree and I didn't really care about Christmas lights. Once I moved in with my boyfriend, however, that changed. I wanted to do those things. D: (He hates Christmas, so I did them alone.)

One of the easiest things I've made in a while, Christmas Ornament Wreath! 

I looked around in stores because I wanted one for our front door. But I could only find either ridiculously colored ones, over the top ones, or ones that would break the small bank.

So I made my own. And it was extremely simple and cheap (PS: sorry for the lack of pictures, I didn't expect to do this). What you'll need:

1. Ornaments (obviously.) - I used about 80, I think. All sizes, shapes, colors (of blue and silver).  I went very cheap on these (and at this time of year, it's very easy to do so.) I shopped at Rite-Aid for them. If you have a busy front door, I would recommend non-shatter, but I used glass because my boyfriend and I don't slam our door often. 
2. Wire Hanger
3. Pliers (to unhook the wire hanger from itself and hook it back) 
4. Wire Edge Ribbon (if you want to tie your own.) 
5. Super Glue (possibly, if you want to glue some ornaments together, but you don't have to.)
6. Wreath Hanger/Nail (Our apartment door is metal, so I purchased an over the door hanger from Target: here) 
7. A Towel (if you want to use glittery ornaments. I did so they didn't shed their glitter everywhere!) 

Firstly, take your wire hanger and stretch it into a "circle." Mine hanger was not able to get all the way to a circle, around the edges where the hanger is.. actually a hanger. I'll be honest, I used my foot to pull the hanger into a more circular shape. It wasn't difficult, but I wanted it to be as perfect as possible.

Take the pliers, clamp them on the twisted portion of your wire hanger. I found it easiest to clamp this portion and twist the rest of the hanger, rather than trying to twist the pliers. This stripped a portion of the hanger before I twisted it fully. Came right off after that!

And from there, go crazy. Add in the ornaments in which ever order you please.  I tried to even mine out so that it didn't have too many of the same shape and same finish. It happened, because I ran out of some finishes, but I didn't want to open a new pack of ornaments if I had some left over.

The order doesn't matter. Just make it look the way you like. Slide them down the hanger and place them right where you want them. This was the part that took me about an hour. If you do not want to glue the ornaments together (I didn't) don't get discouraged if they feel loose. As you begin to add more, they will tighten up. I did glue a few, because I wanted them facing forward rather than backward.

Tying the bow was actually one of the hardest parts. I watched this wonderful video (here) to try and get a proper technique. I re-tied quite a few times. I also didn't use the metal bow tie.. thing.. she recommends. I used the tie from a bag of bread (didn't feel like going back to the store and it worked.) 

I actually wanted a few more frills, so I took a little more ribbon and tied it around the bottom of the wire hanger, under the bow. Just to add a few more ribbon strings to the bottom. 

 

 Hope this was helpful. :) I spent, in total, about $15 dollars. I had the wire hanger previously, and I used a lot of the ribbon for Christmas present wrappings (so I only portioned the price out to the amount I used on the wreath!) These are extremely easy to make and can save a fair bit of money.

A New Set!

I apologize that it has been so long between posts. Work and schooling as become crazy. I'll post more about those in my next posting, but I wanted to get this wonderful new set out to the masses. :)

B. Bergstrom Photography has taken a new wonderful set of me. Please see below. She always does a fantastic job. If you're in the Raleigh, NC area and want some new pictures taken of you, your family, etc., please reach out to her.