Mixed Media Mirror Makeover

Mixed media mirror

Well, it is that time of the month again for the IBC blogger challenge and this month’s topic is mixed media.  I have chosen to give an old mirror a mixed media makeover. If you have not heard of Mixed Media it refers to a visual art form that combines a variety of media in a single artwork.  So you can combine paint techniques, add textures and embellishments just to name a few to create your project. (More about IBC at the end of this post)

Mixed media mirror

I was given this large mirror I believe it was part of an old dresser.  Because I am in a steampunk crazy phase at the moment, it was the most obvious choice for a theme.  And I knew I would have many of the elements needed for this project laying around my shed.

Mixed Media Mirror Makeover

**This post may contain affiliate links. Which means I earn a small commission on links used at no extra cost to you. Please see my disclosure policy for more information.**Prepare the mirror frame

Start by protecting the mirror by covering it with some kraft paper, this is to prevent the paint and glue getting on the mirror.

Next,  scuff up the surface of the frame with a sanding block to remove the smooth finish.  This will allow the mod podge to adhere to the frame.   Add a layer of mod podge to the frame and place a paper napkin or toilet paper over the mod podge. Using your fingers to gently move the napkin around to form wrinkles like the image below. When touch dry you can add another coat of mod podge.

Once the mod podge is dry, paint the frame with black gesso. A  foam paint roller works great for this step. You can skip this step and paint it all at the end, but I find this way easier.

For what I had in mind the side spindle would look too old fashioned so they got a makeover too.  I used some sisal rope I had at home and glued it around them using a hot glue gun.

I  painted the rope with the black gesso.  To get the gesso into all the grooves it does help to spray the rope with some water.

Adding the mixed media elements

I had some wooden cutouts at home which were perfect for this project. Other elements included bits and pieces I found around the house and my shed.  The idea is to create layers and textures all over the frame.  I will break it down into small sections so you can see what I used.

For the top, I used the wooden cutouts which were plumbing to go with the steampunk theme.  These were glued to the frame using a multi-purpose glue. I added some metal charms, studs, keys, old clock hands, shells just to name a few.  You can zoom in on the picture to see them all.

For the sides, I cut strips of thick cardstock and glued them to the frame. To make the cardstock look more steampunk I glued split peas on all the corners. As you can see from the image below, you don’t have to be perfect.

The butterfly, clock, and hinges are all vinyl decals I made using my Cricut vinyl cutter.

The top has a few layers, the brown in the bottom left corner is an offcut of faux leather. The middle is layers of steampunk charms and 3D metal butterflies.  Even I must admit that it looks a total mess at the moment, but it all comes together in the end.

Making the hot air balloon

I made a small hot air balloon using some burlap for the basket and offcuts of leather for the balloon.  The netting on the balloon is from an onion bag and the ropes were a broken necklace.

This was the hot air balloon before painting.

The bottom was nuts, brackets, glass stones and the wooden steampunk charms.

Painting the elements

This is the mirror with all the elements

Using the black gesso, paint all the elements making sure to cover all the exposed areas.

Highlight the paint with wax paste

This is the step where the magic happens.  The metallic wax paste will be used to highlight all the elements.  To add the wax you simply touch the wax with your fingertip and rub the surface of the elements.

Try not to cover all the black as this adds to the effect. I used these 4 colours for this step. Once you have added dabs of all the colours, you can use a small paintbrush to blend the colours slightly.

To seal the colours and to protect the surface when cleaning I added 3 coats of satin spray polyurethane.

Here are close-ups of the mixed media mirror before and after where you can see the true colours on the mirror.

I have tried moving this mirror around to get good photos but the light just does not do the colours justice.

Mixed media mirror

Mixed media mirror

For more craft and DIY project ideas jump across and check out Favecrafts and Diyideacenter.

About IBC (International Bloggers Club)

If you follow my blog you will know I am part of IBC (International Bloggers Club) which is a group of talented bloggers from around the world. We have members from Spain, South Africa, Australia, the United States, and Canada. Each month we come together and create a project in a common theme.

If you missed last months Vintage Valentine theme here is the link to my Vintage valentine wall hanging which can be used all year round.  The Mixed media contributions from my fellow bloggers are below, please feel free to jump over and share your thoughts.

Northern feeling|Diy mixed media art

Mixed media art

A Crafty Mix|Mixed Media Night Light

Mixed media night light

If you are looking for more mixed media ideas check out this stunning mixed media cow skull

Cow skull

Or these mixed media recycled wine bottles

Painted wine bottles

Mixed media mirror

If you are looking for any of the items used in this project, please consider using our links. By clicking on the links we will earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.  Which helps us come up with new and exciting ideas to share with you.

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58 Comments

  • Reply
    Michelle Leslie
    February 18, 2020 at 11:20 pm

    Wow, Anita, your mirror would fit right into a scene from Mortal Engines. I can actually picture this in Hester’s bedroom. Stunning. So happy find a fellow Steampunker in the big blogging cosmos.

    • Reply
      Anita Holland
      February 20, 2020 at 11:14 am

      Thank you so much, Michelle. If I had a chance to redo my house I think I would go steampunk, I find it so interesting

  • Reply
    Michelle
    February 19, 2020 at 2:29 am

    Love your projects! Can something else be used in place of the black gesso?

    • Reply
      Anita Holland
      February 20, 2020 at 11:17 am

      Thank you, Michelle, you can use any acrylic paint to do this. I only used gesso because I had lots of it at home.

  • Reply
    Marie
    February 19, 2020 at 5:02 am

    Anita, in all honesty, when I started reading this post I thought, what the hell is she doing to that mirror? By the end, I had to pick my chin off the floor. This is AMAZING! I can’t stop looking at the close-up shots of every single element you used on this steampunk mirror. Your blending of the different waxes to highlight these elements is impeccable! Wow Wow and Wow

    • Reply
      Anita Holland
      February 20, 2020 at 11:25 am

      Thank you so much for the lovely comment, Marie. To be honest I did not have a clue where I was going either. I just kept adding things and was not happy with the look, so I kept adding more. But once painted and highlighted I loved it. I will be keeping this for myself which is rare for me. It is just such a shame that the photos do not do the mirror justice but the close-ups will give you a good idea.

  • Reply
    Kim
    February 22, 2020 at 3:44 am

    Wow, Anita!! That’s truly amazing. I love all the details.

    • Reply
      Anita Holland
      February 23, 2020 at 1:08 pm

      Thank you Kim, each time you look you seem to find something new to look at.

    • Reply
      Anita Holland
      February 23, 2020 at 1:08 pm

      Thank you so much, glad that you liked it.

  • Reply
    Susan
    February 23, 2020 at 12:37 pm

    Wow! The finish on this project is amazing!! I have my doubts that I could pull it off, but I might have to try it. It’s insanely cool! Ever since I saw this I have been looking around my house and seeing so many things I’d like to try this on. Thanks for sharing such a great technique!

  • Reply
    Katrin
    February 24, 2020 at 1:47 am

    Anita, wow this mirror turned into such a unique piece of art! Very creative!

    • Reply
      Anita Holland
      February 25, 2020 at 2:37 pm

      Thank you so much Katrin, I did love the results.

  • Reply
    alice
    February 24, 2020 at 2:16 pm

    the mirror came out really nice and I am surprised at the final results.

    • Reply
      Anita Holland
      February 25, 2020 at 2:39 pm

      Thank you so much Alice, I was as surprised as you were.lol

  • Reply
    Lydia C. Lee
    February 24, 2020 at 2:27 pm

    That looks fantastic! How clever! #AnythingGoes

  • Reply
    Michele Michael
    February 25, 2020 at 12:23 am

    Love this piece sharing and pinning.

    • Reply
      Anita Holland
      February 25, 2020 at 2:40 pm

      Thank you so much for sharing my project.

  • Reply
    Jeanna
    February 25, 2020 at 2:57 am

    That is incredible, you must be teeming with creativity and energy. I thought it was a beautiful mirror to start but you turned it into a true work of art.

    • Reply
      Anita Holland
      February 25, 2020 at 2:42 pm

      Thank you so Much Jeanna, I do seem to have some strange ideas in my head and sometimes they pay off.

  • Reply
    Carol
    February 25, 2020 at 4:11 am

    Fascinating process and so many layers to your final beauty

    • Reply
      Anita Holland
      February 25, 2020 at 2:43 pm

      Thank you, Carol. The more layers you add the better the project will look in the end.

  • Reply
    creativejewishmom/sara
    February 25, 2020 at 9:17 am

    Gorgeous! great to meet you on Craft Schooling Sunday!

    • Reply
      Anita Holland
      February 25, 2020 at 2:43 pm

      Thank you so much, I will be stopping by again.

  • Reply
    Jeanne
    February 27, 2020 at 12:47 am

    What fun! love the gears and the hot air balloon! I do mixed media on paper, but this is entirely another level.

    • Reply
      Anita Holland
      February 27, 2020 at 11:53 am

      Thank you so much, I have only recently started doing mixed media and really love it. It can make the most boring item look something special.

  • Reply
    Maria
    February 27, 2020 at 9:55 am

    What a beautiful art work on that mirror

    • Reply
      Anita Holland
      February 27, 2020 at 11:52 am

      Thank you so much Maria, soi nice of you to say.

  • Reply
    Allyson
    February 27, 2020 at 4:04 pm

    Wow, amazing mirror and so unique! I love everything about it! Visiting from Wonderful Wednesday.

    • Reply
      Anita Holland
      March 3, 2020 at 11:14 am

      Thank you so much Allyson, it is very different.

  • Reply
    Michelle
    February 28, 2020 at 7:13 pm

    This is absolutely fabulous! I LOVE steampunk! I have a couple of steampunk projects (jewelry) percolating. You’ve added to my inspiration.

    Michelle
    http://mybijoulifeonline.com

    • Reply
      Anita Holland
      March 3, 2020 at 11:19 am

      Thank you Michelle, Steampunk has always fascinated me because it has so many interesting elements to it.

  • Reply
    Grandma's House DIY
    February 29, 2020 at 5:47 am

    I love it! Thanks for sharing with us at the To Grandma’s house we go link party – I’ll be featuring you next week on my blog, Facebook and Instagram!

    • Reply
      Anita Holland
      March 3, 2020 at 11:19 am

      Thank you so much for the feature it is greatly appreciated.

  • Reply
    Joy
    February 29, 2020 at 3:42 pm

    Amazing transformation to a steam punk framed mirror Anita. Very clear ‘how to’. Thank you for sharing with How Sweet the Sound.
    Joy

    • Reply
      Anita Holland
      March 3, 2020 at 11:20 am

      Thank you so much Joy, I had so much fun doing it and the results were so great.

  • Reply
    Linda at Mixed Kreations
    March 2, 2020 at 1:20 am

    Wow! That mirror came out really nice! Love it!

    • Reply
      Anita Holland
      March 3, 2020 at 11:22 am

      Thank you, I honestly loved the outcome so much I surprised myself.

  • Reply
    Shelbee on the Edge
    March 3, 2020 at 4:45 am

    Anita, this is brilliant! I am not a very crafty person but this is something I could totally do and you get such a unique and awesomely eclectic piece of home decor. Wonderful! Thanks so much for sharing and linking up.

    Shelbee
    http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com

    • Reply
      Anita Holland
      March 3, 2020 at 11:25 am

      Thank you Shelbee, I have never been a crafty person, I have always done woodwork and furniture. I only started this last year and just jumped in and had a go after watching some videos on youtube and saw how simple it was. It looks like you need to be very artistic but you really don’t need to be.

      • Reply
        Kathleen Lanfried
        March 8, 2020 at 1:45 am

        Love it! I’m planning steampunk design on my closet doors and built in wardrobe. Thanks for sharing your creative mind.

        • Reply
          Anita Holland
          March 9, 2020 at 11:22 am

          You are very welcome, I would love to see it when you are done.

  • Reply
    Sam - Raggedy Bits
    March 4, 2020 at 8:31 am

    Wow, Anita, this mirror transformation is amazing!!! Love how you have used mixed media to give a plain old mirror a fresh new look!!

    Thank you so much for sharing your awesome project with us over at Waste Not Wednesday!

  • Reply
    Waste Not Wednesday 195 - Of Faeries & Fauna Craft Co.
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    • Reply
      Anita Holland
      March 5, 2020 at 4:21 pm

      Thank you so much for the feature on my mirror, it really does mean a lot to know others like my projects.

  • Reply
    Waste Not Wednesday-195 - Raggedy Bits
    March 4, 2020 at 12:42 pm

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  • Reply
    Linda
    March 4, 2020 at 12:51 pm

    I’m so excited you’ve been PINKED on Classy Flamingos! Absolutely amazing, thanks for sharing. http://blog.poinsettiadr.com/2020/03/classy-flamingos-blog-party-92.html

  • Reply
    Leanna
    March 4, 2020 at 4:31 pm

    This is really beautiful and unique. Such a stylish makeover, I love this concept and have never seen anything like it before. I am very much inspired. Thank you.

    • Reply
      Anita Holland
      March 5, 2020 at 4:25 pm

      Thanks, Leanna it is out there even for me, but I get these strange ideas in my heart that don’t go away until I try them. This was one that worked out well.

  • Reply
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    • Reply
      Anita Holland
      March 24, 2020 at 1:42 pm

      Thank you so much for the feature on my mixed media mirror. It is greatly appreciated.

  • Reply
    Brenda Miller
    May 9, 2020 at 3:57 am

    Wow is all I can say, it turned out beautiful. I amy going to try my hand at it. Any last minute suggestions on things that you “should have done” It is so gorgeous, I am refering to techniques. You can tell by all the comments that it was definately a hit in the craft world. Thanks for showing us how each step was done.

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