Creating an elegant faux stained glass mirror is a relatively easy and inexpensive way to enhance your home's décor. While genuine stained glass is certainly beautiful, the cost is often too much for many budgets. But with most craft stores selling inexpensive supplies for creating the look of stained glass, making something close to the real thing is an option for those who wish to decorate on a budget.
Plan Your Project
First, you will need a mirror. Consider the look you are trying to achieve. For something with an antique feel, you may want to find an old flea market mirror to spruce up. For a more modern, sleek look, you may wish to purchase a plain, unadorned mirror at the craft store or at a discount store. Next, you will need a design. There are many stained-glass patterns available in books and online. You might also consider drawing your own design. If the pattern you choose is not quite the right size for your project, you can simply resize it on your computer, or use a photocopy machine to make it fit your project.
Preparation
Clean the mirror well, using glass cleaner and a lint-free cloth. Next, you need to transfer your design onto the glass. Flip your pattern paper over, and rub colored chalk over the entire area of the design. Flip the pattern over and tape it, chalk side down, onto the mirror, in the desired location. Using a blunt pencil, trace over your design, pressing hard. Peek under the paper now and then, without shifting it, to make sure it is transferring properly. When you've traced over the whole design, it's time to carefully lift the pattern off the mirror, taking care not to smudge the chalk outline you've just created.
Leading
Using Liquid Lead or a similar product, begin carefully tracing over the chalk lines on your mirror. It is important to squeeze the tube with a steady amount of pressure, and keep your hand moving steadily to ensure even lines. If you've never used this type of product before, it might be a good idea to practice making a few lines on a piece of scrap glass before you begin. Once you've outlined your design, you need to allow the Liquid Lead dry completely before you continue.
Adding Color
Here's the fun part! Now you get to use stained-glass paints to add the color to your design. Use a light hand at first, dabbing the color into the spaces between the Liquid Lead, and allowing the color to spread to the edges. Take care not to use too much, as you want to be sure the color stays within the lines of your design. You can also use stained glass film to create your mirror, but this involves a good deal of cutting and fitting, and paint creates a more durable finished piece.
When your design is complete, allow your new mirror to dry completely before hanging it up. Now stand back and enjoy your masterpiece!
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Having all of the right stained glass tools that you will need on hand and knowing why you need them will help you begin your project with confidence. |
