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sunburst mirror DIY

– UPDATED –

It has been soooo long since this first post went up and I thought it would be fun to include some updated photos of this mirror and show you how it has been used over the years.  Still using it and loving it!

Where ol’ girl currently lives in our Houston house.

In our Houston rental.
And even earlier at our Kansas house.
Check out my tutorial below so you can make one of your own!

***

Remember the teaser of my new sunburst mirror…

Well here she is in all her glory!

She’s nice and beefy, and has lots of texture.


It’s hard to tell in these photos (because we haven’t had sun outside our windows in DAYS), but she has a really nice shine too.

Here’s how I did it!
I’m certainly not the first to make a wood shim mirror, I’ve seen several versions around blogland.  And, I didn’t take many pictures of this project because I really wasn’t sure it was going to work or even look good.  I was pleasantly surprised at the end result, and now wish I would have taken more photos.  So bear with me as I try to explain the process with few photos.
What you’ll need:
  • existing round mirror (mine was a 20″ el cheapo bought at Target year ago)
  • 8 packages of 18″ long wood shims ($3.25/pkg at Home Depot)
  • piece of wood for the back of the sunburst (mine was a scrap piece of plywood ~ 20×20)
  • Wood glue
  • Gorilla glue
  • Primer spray paint (I used white)
  • Glaze (I used Lowes Valspar metal & patina glaze in pewter)
  • paint brush for glaze
  • hanging hardware (I took the hardware off the round mirror and reused it)

STEP ONE:  Lay out your wood shims to figure out a pattern you like.  I did stacked groupings of 7 and 5.  To get the finished mirror to fit in the space above my mantel it could be no larger than 33″ so I had to cut 2″ off the thick end of the shims using our trusty compound miter saw.  You certainly don’t have to trim them if you don’t need to.   
STEP TWO:  Using wood glue, glue the individual shims in your 5 and 7 groupings together.  You won’t glue every shim together, just your small groupings.
STEP THREE:  Once your groups of shims are dry, arrange them back into the exact pattern you want them to be in once finished. 
STEP FOUR:  Dampen the side of the wood back piece that will be glued to the shims with a wet rag and apply the Gorilla glue (glue instructions say to dampen one side of the object you plan to glue together).  Lay the piece of wood glue side down to your wood shims.  Place a heavy object on top of the back piece to weigh it down (Gorilla glue needs to be clamped or weighted down to adhere properly).  Let dry for 2-3 hours.
STEP FOUR:  Flip your sunburst over and prime using white primer spray paint and let dry.  This is what mine looked like prior to spraying. 

STEP FIVE:  Brush on the glaze and let dry.  To give it more dimension, apply glaze thicker in some areas and lighter in others.  You really can’t mess this part up.
STEP SIX: Spray on a coat of clear poly and let dry.
STEP SEVEN:  Attach your mirror to the front of the sunburst with Gorilla glue.  Use the same method of dampening and weighing down as earlier.  Wait 2-3 hours or until dry. 
STEP EIGHT:  Attach hanging hardware to the back and hang up your new super chic and super cheap mirror!  And, try not to spend too much of the rest of your day staring at your new best friend ðŸ˜€
Cost:
My only purchases for this project were the 8 packages of long wood shims at $26.  Everything else I already had on hand from other projects.
I’ll take it!!!  Seeing as how these bad boys can go for well over $300!
Now go forth and stick it to The Man!  Make your own sunburst 😀
Linking to these parties!
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Comments

  3. HammBone says

    HOly crap woman. You are a genius. Will you bring your power tools, craft supplies, sewing machine, and glue gun and come over for a play date?

  5. Jennifer @ Delightfully Noted says

    You're right these little mirrors are all over blogland but I'm quite sure yours is one of the prettiest ones I have seen! I've been wanting to make one of these so definately bookmarking your great tutorial. Thanks for sharing!

  6. Karen says

    This is fabulous and amazing. I have seen them done all kinds of ways… all of them great, but I love this. It is gorgeous.

  7. June Scott @ Inspired By... says

    Wow! Shelley, looks great above your mantel! I see lot's of potential here! You could paint one in fun, bright colors for a little girls room, even incorporate it into some wall art, using the mirror (maybe smaller) as the head of a sunflower! Thanks for sharing!

  17. Suesan says

    That's gorgeous. I love the Metal Patina glaze. It's one of my favorite glazes. This is one of my favorite sunburst mirrors.

  20. Babs says

    Wow! Who would ever know that it was made from shims. It really has a "high end" look for a great price. Well done,
    Babs

  31. Kathryn Bond says

    That is GORGEOUS! You are so talented and inspirational! Somehow you make these projects seem do-able for the uh… DIY challenged. I loved the other commenter's idea about playing with colors and adding it to a kid's room. I might have to try that.!

  37. Brooke says

    Hi Shelley! Hopped over from A Little Knick Knack. Should have known that awesome little thumbnail would lead me to you 🙂 What a great project (again!)! You are so stinkin' talented!
    ~B

  44. ugagirl30 says

    I started making one of these 3 days ago until I ran out of shims. Yours is amazing! Love the mirror you picked for the top. It completes it more than others that I have seen! Wonderful job!

  46. RhettDidntGiveADamn says

    This is without a doubt the best sunburst mirror I've seen. I did the one with skewers and I like the look of it – but this just takes the cake! The visual heft just makes it seem so luxe. I don't know if I can pull it off – but I have to try. This is the number 1 thing I want to do for my home right now! Thank you for sharing and I'll be following your blog now. Found you via Knock Off Decor!

  47. AllieMakes! says

    Wow! This is really great! Wonderful job!
    Thanks for linking up to Making It With Allie! I can't wait to see what you have for next week!
    AllieMakes.Blogspot.com

  48. Anonymous says

    Beeeeuuutiful!! I wonder how these sunburst mirrors would look with those convex/port hole ship eye mirrors? Might have to experiment…

  49. Ty and Whitty says

    Wow that is beautiful! Thank you for sharing the step bystep instructions. I need to do this for over my bed. Wouldnt that be pretty? I found this project through TT&J linky party! Thank you for sharing. Come say hi! I love new followers.

    A mommy's life…with a touch of YELLOW
    tyandwhitneyulrich.blogspot.com

  50. Denise at PinkPostcard. says

    this is really beautiful. You did a great job with the tutorial, and it still looks new a fresh! Love your take on it 🙂 thanks for sharing this at Transformations and Treasures!

  56. Cheryl says

    And to think you weren't sure this was going to work out? I hope everyone's comments here are boosting your urge to try some more of those things you aren't sure about. What an amazing piece of art you've created! Thanks for posting!

  59. Jen says

    Just saw this on Tip Junkie – love it! This looks like a project that requires a lot of patience. 🙂 But it paid off! It looks amazing on your mantle.

  66. Mindie Hilton says

    I still can't believe our first party had over 300 links. I have a special give away planned for linkers this week.

    Thanks again for grabbing the button, hope to see you at this weeks party.

  68. Erin says

    It turned out beautiful!! It's hard to believe that was made from shims of all things. It looks like it came out of a high end store. Nice job! 🙂

  69. Ginger Snaps says

    Wow! Love it! Amazing. 🙂 Following from Not Just a Housewife. Would love to have you link this up to my {wow me} wednesday link party going on right now over on my blog. The most view link will receive a set of fancy rectangle chalkboard labels from my etsy shop. Hope to see you there.

    Ginger
    gingersnapcrafts.blogspot.com

  71. Chiara says

    This is indeed, crazy wonderful! Your decor looks so much like my home–similar styles. I love the sheen on this mirror–makes it! I featured your beautiful post on my blog this weekend. Thank you for the inspiration and project!

  76. Shaunna says

    Absolutely awesome. LOVE this one more than any other I've seen in the blogosphere…going to tweet out this link!
    🙂
    shaunna

  78. WhyCuzICan says

    Adorable and your tips and photos are helpful if I can manage to get one done for myself (I love the wood used for these)

    Visiting from ShabbyNest Linky Party today 😀
    ~Suzanne in Illinois

  81. Erin says

    I love this! I have made them before, but I love this one.
    I am your latest follower! I can't wait to check out more of your ideas! I only have a few posts since I just started blogging last week.

  85. Duffy says

    Awesome Tutorial! I have been looking for a way to get this exact result! I think those shims look to be the same size as the large paint stirers that the home improvement stores give away. I think if I start collecting now, I may have enough by spring! Perfect timing for revamping the house! Then I would just have to find a round mirror – will keep a look out at the thrift stores!

  89. Anonymous says

    Are you sure it is 8 packs of 42? Or do you need more? Someone did it and said 17.
    That would bring up the cost for me because they are 5 a package here in hawaii. 8 I can handle, 17 not so much.

  92. Ellora says

    I am just finding this after becoming a follower and I think this is the best looking DIY sunburst mirror I've seen so far! I love it and the price is even better! I may just have to find me a cheapie mirror and create one for our mantle!

  94. Krystal Nolan says

    I bookmarked this posting 2 years ago, and I'm finally getting ready to use it! (Squee!). I linked to you on my blog tonight. simplyvintageblog.blogspot.com

  95. B Neli says

    Love your sunburst! I am trying to make my own but I cannot seem to get it to fit together in a circle the way yours does without huge spaces. Is there a trick to it? Please help!!

    • Shelley | Crazy Wonderful says

      I had to cut my shims down because it would have been too large to fit over my fireplace. If you don't need to cut your shims down you might need more in order to get them to come together without large gaps. Also, the center points will meet closer together when they aren't cut down. Hope this helps!

  97. Pieced Pastimes says

    Hi Shelley,
    After a long search for a mirror and coming up empty handed, I found your post and was inspired to make my own. I posted about it on my blog with a link back to this post.
    Thanks so much for the inspiration,
    Suzanne
    Pieced Pastimes

  98. Anonymous says

    Did you mix your glaze, or buy it premixed? I am having trouble finding the Valspar glaze. It is gorgeous, great job!

    • CrazyWonderful says

      Thank you! I purchased it premixed from Lowes in store, but that was over 5 years ago. They may no longer be making it as I am having a hard time finding it online. It might be worth asking them in store if they have anything similar.

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