Thursday, December 1, 2011

More Antiqued Mirrors

I picked up these frames at the same thrift store as this little spice rack and loved the carved wood insets. Knowing painting and glazing would bring out the detail, I was excited to make them over.


Then I saw the antique mirror tutorials from here and here and gave that a try on this project.  For these mirrors, I actually tried EZ-Off and it didn't really take off the silvering until I used some fine grade sandpaper. One of my readers, Aimee of Twigg Studios, suggested I try lime scale remover and acetone nail polish remover...isn't it wonderful how helpful you all are? ;) And go check out her blog - beautiful!

Here's how they looked at first:



Then they got a coating of homemade chalk paint in a creamy color



Then they were glazed to bring out the detail

See how a little glazing with a brownish tint really brings out the detail?
Then the mirrors got their treatment

Trying EZ-Off and wiping it off on the right...it doesn't work so well

While wet, a little 400 grit sandpaper helped the whole thing along...

...still not quite what I wanted, but with the addition of nail polish remover (acetone) and a lot of scrubbing with fine steel wool, I was able to get the look I wanted.
and some antique sheet music was placed behind the mirrors







Then I tried some fabric



Sorry about the reflection of my lovely garage, but mirrors are tough to photograph!

Pretty, right? It would be even prettier if it didn't reflect my grass and garage, but you get the idea ;)


Linking up to the parties on my left sidebar.


26 comments:

  1. a-frikken-mazing!

    I mean, you usually see something quite remarkable, but this is frikin awesome! awesomest!

    If I EVER visit the states (which hubby might do next year) I would love a set like this, if you could be bothered to make it for me. Payment forthcoming of course, but I honestly would love this particular pieces that you created.

    Or something similar. :)

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  2. These are gorgeous...you did a GREAT job restoring them!!

    Aimee from ItsOverflowing.com

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  3. You did a great job on these!!!......still thinking about tackling mine soon :)

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  4. Thank you! I was going to order a new mirror for an antique from, but now I'm going to cover the spots with sheet music.

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  5. These are awesome!! I love it!


    Newest follower!

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  6. That's an interesting technique. Love the sheet music behind it.

    Fran (your neighbor at the Power of Paint party.)

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  7. Good idea. Think I'll add this one to my craft posts bookmark.
    -Joy

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  8. They look BEAUTIFUL now!! I'm always so afraid to glaze things because I'm afraid I"ll over do it, but I MUST give this a try! Thanks for sharing!
    Angela

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  9. YES..very pretty! I love how they turned out! Thanks for stopping by!

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  10. these are so pretty, jill! love this idea:)

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  11. Great re-do!! Would love for you to link up @ Find Your Craft Friday over on my blog!
    Have a great Friday!

    Emily @ BabyBerry
    http://weinzapfelbabyberry.blogspot.com/

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  12. So very pretty! I love mirrors and frames--they are so versatile. These really turned out nice!
    Mary

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  13. I've been looking at your mirrors again and trying to figure out if there is a way to make the spots taken off more spread out, or even.
    I suppose you have been trying that too.
    I do not really want to use muriatic acid. it is so caustic.

    Love what you have been doing.

    thanks for visiting my place.

    blessings
    barbara jean

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  14. Thank you for the sweet comment....I am your newest follower!

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  15. Great job! I have some mirrors I need to do this too! Shay :) http://raisingdieter.blogspot.com/

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  16. These are cool! I like the sheet music behind the glass. You could change the songs according to the season.....
    thanks for visiting me at Sugar and Trash :)

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  17. Wow, I have not seen this effect before and I really like it! Cool!

    Returning the follow from Happy Hour Projects - I'm so glad you dropped by!

    Adrianne
    www.happyhourprojects.com

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  18. I love the antiqued mirrors! That chalk paint covered wonderfully! And the artwork is pretty!

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  19. Love these - especially the weathering of the mirror.

    Found you via Eclectically Vintage.

    I'd love it if you would share this on our Friday FREE-FOR-ALL Linky Party. It's at http://www.cookingatcafed.com/2011/12/friday-free-for-all-linky-party-120211.html

    All the best,
    Dana

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  20. What a beautiful job. I've never tried this technique before, but I'm thinking of all the possibilities. Glad you just kept going with it until you got the look you wanted. Great job.

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  21. your mirrors looks great! Thanks for sharing @ catch as catch can!
    gail

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  22. Pretty! Such a neat effect with the sheet music and the fabric! I'd never even think of something like that...I'm impressed! Thanks so much for sharing your fabulousness at Shine On Fridays!

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  23. Love this idea! I would love for you to link up to my new party, Monday Myriad Linky Party
    Also, do you button swap?
    katieoallred@gmail.com

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  24. The mirrors turned out beautiful. I love the sheet music! The glazing adds the perfect touch to the frames.
    Rachel
    adventuresofadiymom.blogspot.com

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  25. that is so cool! i love those chunky frames!

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