How to Personalize a Mirror

Mirrors are widely available in a variety of sizes and frame options, so if you are looking for an easy craft project to decorate your home, personalizing a mirror for yourself, or as a gift, is an easy choice. Not only do you get the usefulness of a mirror, which can open a dark space and reflect valuable light, but you also get the opportunity to show people what your interests and passions are. For yourself, or as a gift, personalizing a mirror takes a bit of planning and prep, so grab your mirror and let's get started.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Mirror in your choice of size available at most craft supply stores like Michael's
• A simple picture frame to fit your mirror
• Scissors
• Collage materials
• Modge Podge collage media
• Foamy stickers from craft store
• Acrylic paints and brushes

How to Personalize a Mirror

1. 
   Mirror available from Michaels.com

   Match a larger mirror with a plain wood frame for a classical look Cut out images with a theme such as unusual architecture, fine art, classic botanical studies or whatever interests you. Using Modge Podge or other decoupage medium, layer and coat the frame until filled in totally. Allow to dry and piece together your mirror and frame.

2. 

   Grab some "Foamy Stickers" (available at craft stores) and a smaller mirror and create a whimsical design around and covering the border of the mirror itself. The ones pictured here are from Michael's and have a fairy princess theme perfect for a girl's room. Hot glue some picture wire to the back to hang.

3. Use scrap-booking bits to decorate a small mirror. Again, use a mirror without a frame and then go crazy at your local scrap-booking shop and purchase some of their scrapbook page enhancements to dress up your mirror for someone special.

4. Print out a bunch of digital photos of yourself and your friends to dress up a mirror for a guest room. Print images on a heavy bright white paper and allow to dry. Carefully adhere to a plain mirror frame using Modge Podge or another collage medium and wrap around beveled edges. Layer like you would any collage project to get a full and visually interesting design. This is sure to please all your house guests and make them feel even more welcome in your home.

5. Paint a plain mirror frame with a bright, bold color and hand paint a design that reflects something about yourself or the recipient of the mirror. Use words, pictures and symbols to speak to your intended in a more personal way to let him know you share in a special bond. You do need to have some control over the brush so practice on paper first.

6. 
   image from www.animationusa.com

   Create anything that you want. If you love the idea of "Mirror, mirror on the wall..." go ahead and fashion a real dark fairy tale themed mirror. Use old fairy tale books from a resale shop or thrift shop and utilize the darker shaded images to create a collage design on your mirror. If you can find the classic image of the queen looking into her mirror, layer that on top so that the inspiration of the theme is easily viewed.

7. 
   Image from www.eco-artware.com/crafts/crafts

   Cut up old undisplayed photographs into a variety of shapes and sizes. Separate by predominant colors and create a Mosaic on a plain craft mirror. Glue the pieces of photos directly onto the mirror surface. To make photo pieces more sturdy, glue entire photos onto thin cardboard or foam core pieces and then cut with a utility knife. Mix cardboard and foam core board backed pieces to give your mirror more depth and interest.

Tips & Warnings

• Plan ahead. Get a supply of craft mirrors in a variety of sizes and shapes, and collage materials to use before you get started. Once you discover how easy it is, you'll want to do a bunch for friends and family!