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wood sunburst mirror {a tutorial}

rustic starbust mirror diy  |  greyhouseharbor.com

Know what I love? A good knock-off.

Know what else I love? Mirrors.

I adore they way they instantly lighten and brighten any space. Sunburst (or starburst) mirrors have been en vogue for a few years now and the trend isn’t fading. But they can cost some serious coin.

Ballard Designs was selling this rustic beauty for $340.

rustic starbust mirror diy  |  greyhouseharbor.com

This one is from Lamps Plus is more reasonable at $55, but it’s pretty small.

rustic starbust mirror diy  |  greyhouseharbor.com

I’m working with a one-income military family budget here! While not against spending good money on quality things, if I can make it myself for less, I will. Or at least I will try…

Supplies:
– one package (42ct) of dry cedar shims (make sure they are the 15″ ones)
– 14″ diameter mirror
– 12″ mdf floral craft ring
-18″ mdf floral craft ring
– Powergrab Loctite Adhesive
– D-rings & picture wire for hanging
– sandpaper

Tools:
– miter saw (power or handheld)
– square
– measuring tape or ruler
– caulk gun
– screwdriver
– clamps

1. Start by thoroughly sanding all the shims. I actually put on gardening gloves for splinter protection after taking this picture.

rustic starbust mirror diy  |  greyhouseharbor.com

rustic starbust mirror diy  |  greyhouseharbor.com

2. You need a total of 40 shims and some will be bad due to warping or unwanted holes. Pick the 8 straightest, most lovely shims and set them aside as your center pieces.

Now you need to cut the very tops of 32 shims at a 45º angle. Make sure you are cutting the thicker of the two ends; I stacked and cut them 4 at a time.

rustic starbust mirror diy  |  greyhouseharbor.com

rustic starbust mirror diy  |  greyhouseharbor.com

3. Use the Powergrab adhesive to glue the edges of 4 angled shims to 1 straight one. Do this on top of wax paper. Let dry.

rustic starbust mirror diy  |  greyhouseharbor.com

rustic starbust mirror diy  |  greyhouseharbor.com

4. Once dry, use your square to mark 10″ down from the top on 4 sections. Cut at a 90º angle perpendicular to the shims.

rustic starbust mirror diy  |  greyhouseharbor.com

5. On the remaining 4 sections, mark only the two outside shims at 5.5″. Use your saw to cut a 45° angle inward to make a point.

rustic starbust mirror diy  |  greyhouseharbor.com

You should have 4 straight sections and 4 angled sections.

rustic starbust mirror diy  |  greyhouseharbor.com

6. Arrange the 8 sections like this and glue the edges together. Again, wax paper will protect your surface from stray glue.

rustic starbust mirror diy  |  greyhouseharbor.com

7. Once the shims are dry, gently flip it and glue both wreath forms to the back.

rustic starbust mirror diy  |  greyhouseharbor.com

I highly recommend clamping the rings while the glue cures. These medium-sized clamps can be found at Home Depot for $1 each.

rustic starbust mirror diy  |  greyhouseharbor.com

I scored the mirrors for 50% off during a sale at Hobby Lobby. $10 each, but the black frame wasn’t jiving with the look I wanted – nothing that spraypaint couldn’t fix.

rustic starbust mirror diy  |  greyhouseharbor.comrustic starbust mirror diy  |  greyhouseharbor.com

8. Use the same Loctite Powergrab adhesive to secure the mirror to the shims.

rustic starbust mirror diy  |  greyhouseharbor.com

9. Finally, attach D-rings and picture wire for hanging.

rustic starbust mirror diy  |  greyhouseharbor.com

A finished mirror has a 27″ diameter. The only supplies I purchased for this were the shims, the mirror and the floral rings. Everything else I had on hand; which brought my grand total to $28 per mirror.

So successful was this project that I actually ended up making four of them! One for myself and three for a friend’s bedroom makeover that I’ll be sharing soon.

Knock-off?  More like knock-out!

rustic starbust mirror diy  |  greyhouseharbor.com

rustic starbust mirror diy  |  greyhouseharbor.com

rustic starbust mirror diy  |  greyhouseharbor.com

rustic starbust mirror diy  |  greyhouseharbor.com

 

Tags: diy, diy home improvement, home decor, tutorials


I'm Hayley. Wife and mother by day, DIY enthusiast by night. Fueled by sweet tea and jelly beans, I own power tools and know how to use them. Consider yourself warned.

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