How to Make a Custom Mirror Frame From Trinkets

This custom mirror frame project gives your child something to do with their hands that won't get them in trouble, helps with hand and eye coordination, uses the mind and imagination and gives them a chance to explore their own creativity. This craft is one example of things you can find to do with your child.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Cardboard or a plastic trash bag to cover your work surface.
• Framed mirror to hang on wall or door, or to attach to a dresser or vanity.
• Knick-knacks or odds an ends
• Clear drying bottle of strong non-toxic craft glue

1. If you do not have a large framed mirror either purchase a mirror that already has a frame or measure the mirror you will be using and purchase a a light wooden frame to glue onto your mirror for decorating.

2. Cut a large trash bag, or two, along the seams to open it up and lay it down on a hard surface to use as a work surface. A large cardboard box opened up along the seams will work just as well.

3. Have your child collect and gather together an assortment of odds and ends they would like to decorate the mirror with. These items could include assorted pins, jigsaw puzzle pieces, game board pieces used for moving around a gameboard, game pieces like checkers or dominoes, sports cards, shells and anything else that your child would like and that is approved by you. Old kid's meal toys from fast food restaraunts, small cars and rubber animals, and old hair pieces and jewelry, are other ideas.

4. Lay the mirror flat, and if you need to, glue a fitted frame onto the mirror by applying a thick layer of glue that will hold the frame in place. Let the framed mirror dry for several hours before decorating.

5. If the mirror already has a frame, you can skip Step 5 and lay the mirror flat on the work surface.

6. Have the pieces your child has selected for decorating the mirror laid out on the table and ready to apply. It might be helpful to arrange the pieces on the frame before gluing so your child can work out spacing and design issues.

7. If the frame has a surface that is slick and glossy, lightly sand it with a piece of fine grained sand paper that can be purchased at any craft or hardware store.

8. Give your child a paintbrush or foam brush to apply a liberal amount of glue to the frame. Your child can then apply the pieces on the mirror frame wherever they want, pressing them into the glue. The items can be laid out neatly, overlapped, partially extending past the edge of the mirror frame.

9. Craft glue can be easily removed by scraping or peeling after it dries, so do not worry too much about spilled glue.

10. Let the finished mirror dry for several hours or until the glue is completely clear before hanging it.

Tips & Warnings

• Your child could decorate a picture frame in e same way for a family member and then give a framed picture of themselves as a gift.

• Decorate mirrors or other frames to hang in a family room, nursery, playroom and even a bathroom.

• Make sure you purchase a non-toxic glue.

• Make sure there are no very young children around who could swallow the pieces being used to decorate the mirror.