Here's how I made this stenciled mirror:
First I painted a cute, ornate frame that I found yard saling last summer. Using a small paintbrush, I primed it first, then applied three coats of a pale, pale turquoise (the same paint I used for the framed bakelite brooches). Spray paint would make this task a little easier, but I started tackling this project when it was still too cold to paint outside.
Unfortunately, my attempts to simply tape off the frame were ultimately unsuccessful because you could see the underside of the frame reflected in the glass. Oops. So, I quickly took it apart, painted the back and inner edge of the frame, then put it back together.
Word to the wise: take a mirror apart before painting!
Now for the fun part! I was inspired by this feminist warning I saw on Pinterest:
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| via Pinterest |
I used a temporary spray adhesive to keep the stencil from slipping once it was positioned in place. I covered everything but the stencil with newspaper and then I lightly misted the stencil with thin, even coats of white Krylon Primer (leftover from these play kitchen projects). I figured primer would grip the glass really well - just rolling on latex paint did not work.
It kind of looks like it has been etched, no? That could actually be another way to emblazon a mirror with this feminist statement, but spray paint was easy and affordable for me.
It looks more faded in the photos above because I took them at an angle to avoid getting yours truly in the shot. Do you have any idea how darn hard it is to photograph a mirror?
If you're thinking of doing a project with custom stencils, alphabet stencils or decorative lettering, I highly recommend Stencils Online because their customer service, pricing and product can't be beat!
Curious about my second stenciled mirror project? Click the link to see!
