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Monday, August 17, 2009

Small Hand Mirrors

For the small hand mirrors you will need:
3” round mirror
Cernit Phthalate free clay in Black 2.2 ounce pkg
Brilliant Gold and Silver Pearl EX
Pearl-ex varnish
Victorian flexible push mold
Craft Knife
Clay blade
Applicator sponge
Clay dedicated Pasta Machine
All links above take you to my husband's store Clay Factory and to the page where the supply highlighted can be seen and purchased. Or you can visit the Clay Factory site a http://www.clayfactory.net/

1. Condition clay.


2. Roll out in your pasta machine on a thinner setting than the handled mirror, I used the 3rd thickest setting.
Put a thin layer of glue on the back of the mirror, let dry completely.
Place the back of the mirror on the sheet of clay.



 
 
3. Press the mirror down firmly.








4. Trim around the mirror with your craft knife leaving a 1/8” allowance
Press out all the air bubbles, you will be able to see them.


 
 
 
 
 
5. Press the clay up around the edges of the mirror.







6. Trim off the excess with your clay blade.






7. Roll out another sheet of clay on the 3rd thickest setting.

8. Cut a strip ¼” wide and long enough to go around the outside of the mirror.
Cut one end of the strip at an angle.
Press the strip on to the outside of the mirror attaching it to the clay on the outside edge.




9. Trim the end that’s left with your craft blade and butt the edges together.

Smooth your seams gently with your finger.

 
 
 
 
 
10. Mold little pieces of the Victorian mold and place on the strip.











Here you can see that I am not molding whole pieces, just parts of them, I am using ¼” balls of black in the mold

 
 
 
 
 
 

11. When you are done embellishing the mirror place a small amount of silver powder into a Ziploc baggie, zip it closed and shake the powder around in the bag


Place the mirror into the bag and shake the powder onto the clay around the mirror, again you will get powder on the mirror but you will be able to wash it off after you bake it

 
12. Now I take my applicator sponge and on the front of the mirror I daub on the Brilliant gold powder lightly on the high spots


13. Bake in a preheat 275 degree oven for 30 minutes

14. Shut off the oven and let cool

Paint with Pearl-ex varnish, let dry and place back in a preheated 200-degree oven for 15 minutes, shut off oven and let cool

Place into a little bag and this little beauty is ready to give as a gift or go right into your own purse. Wouldn’t this make a great bridesmaid’s gift???

24 comments:

  1. Hi Marie,,,OMG I love these mirrors. How cute are they! You have sooo much originality and so much inspiration. I may have to try one of these...... someday lol. I am lucky I get what I do done. :) Thanks for stopping by for a visit. I love hearing from you. Hugs, gail

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  2. Hi Gail thanks for stopping by, I love it. You should check out the post before the little mirrors. They are mirrors with handles.
    I love hearing from you too.
    I hope things slow down a little for you and everything works out with your family. You are always in my thoguhts.
    LOve and hugs!

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  3. This looks like such a fun project. So glad to have you back. I missed you. Question, how could I incorporate a piece of family flatware into this mirror design and not cover the handle, as it is so pretty? Thanks in advance. Susan

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  4. Awwwwwwww Susan thank you so much you made my week.
    I think it matters the clay you use. It has to be strong and bake hard also. I would build the mirror almost the same way as the last post but only cover the handle at the mirror and tine area of the fork and a little down the handle leaving the rest of the handle and the beautiful part exposed.
    Maybe you could add some embellishment to the clay part that mimics the design on the fork handle to marry the two pieces together. I would also for extra strength cover the handle at the upper part where you are going to put clay front and back with the Ultimate glue also. I would make sure you want to this though before going through with the project because flattening the tines and gluing and baking pretty much guarantees there is no going back to beautiful unembellished flatware.
    You might also think about searching garage sales and thrift stores for decorative table ware also. One of the reasons I use the cheapest (or maybe I should say inexpensive ;-D) pieces of flatware I can find is because the business end of the fork is so easy to flatten.

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  5. You are so talented.

    Ariel come and give me and Marie a new chance.

    Love you sweet friend.

    xoxox

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  6. Thank you Renee.
    I like that, Renee from your mouth to Ariel's ears.
    evol uoy oot eeneR ym ytterp!
    LOL!! that is just fun!!

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  7. You really are so creative! Never could I think of doing these on my own. What neat gifts they will make! Thank you dear heart. Hugs, Lynda

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  8. If you were to choose sides between me and Renee, who would you choose? She is under the impression that you will choose her side! She is trippin'!

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  9. Lynda you are so welcome!! I hope you will share the pics when you finish the mirrors.

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  10. I can not say Ces, it depends on the situation and the circumstances.
    I am not in the mood to choose between you two. I love you both. You are both special in your own ways and I value each one of your individual opinions.
    Don't make me choose, I am not having a great day.

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  11. Oh honey, I am so sorry, you are not feeling well. Is there anything I can do?

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  12. Marie dear, I hope things will get better for you. I need to rest my hands now and I shall return. Goodnight for now.

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  13. No I don't think so. I feel fine.
    My computer is down and I have a bunch of stuff to do. I don't know when I will be back and I might lose all of my things.
    I am using the hubby's now but he needs it for biz and my kids doesn't have my addys and the things I need either.
    Oh not to mention the money. I don't have any.
    Just icing Ces, just icing on the shit cake.

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  14. We didn't forget about you dear Sister Marie.

    xoxoxo

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  15. Hi Marie,

    These mirrors are wonderful! Thanks so much for posting the how-to information in such detail, and with such clear photos.
    :0)
    I'm so glad I found your blog through our dear Renee's blog.

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  16. Thank you Sister Renee!
    I love you!

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  17. I am so glad you like it Angela and so glad you found me through "our dear Renee's blog", I love they way you said that, it just warms my heart. Our Renee is a spider, a web weaver of lives and I am so glad everyday that I found her. She blesses us all with her exsistance and awareness and it helps us grow.
    Welcome and I am so glad I found you!

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  18. Hi Marie, thanks so much for sharing this step by step process for those cute little mirrors. They will make some perfect presents for the holidays. Plus, I'll make one for myself - was just thinking how I never have a mirror in my purse... Love, Silke

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  19. Stunning mirrors Marie. Thank you for the instruction! You are so creative!
    HUGS!

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  20. holy smokes Marie!!! I have to try this project as soon as I have some spare time...you are amazing!!! thanks for sharing your wealth of knowledge with us!!!

    Hugs
    Diana

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  21. WOW Marie what a great tutorial!
    Thank you so much for being out there and teaching all of us!

    Also I love your store!

    I met you a long long long time ago in San Diego at clay camp!
    Pattee

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  22. Marie, I've seen others make these mirrors and it always seems difficult but this seems doable!

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  23. I am glad it made it seem easier Justine.
    Sometimes it is just hearing it a certain way that makes doors open.

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I am so glad you stopped by. Please leave your words of wisdom. I look forward to them and I so enjoy reading them all.
Live to love, Love to create, and create to connect.
Marie

www.mariesegal.com
www.clayfactory.net