When the Crafty Ideas column launched in December, we put up a message board at home.azcentral.com to accompany it. Since then, dozens of creative folks have visited and shared ideas about everything from pottery to tarot cards to classroom activities.
One of those online guests was Sharon Knight of Scottsdale. Last March she wrote, "I have a lot of beveled mirror pieces from an old leaded bedroom section. I've saved the pieces that didn't get broken and plan on having them framed, but there are a lot of leftover broken large sections. I'd like some insight on what to make with them."
Here's a way to let your outdoor garden benefit from the excess material. By gluing mirrors to fishing line you can add a sparkling New Age touch to trees. The multiple mirrors will flicker as they reflect light. It's best to make several strands for a brighter effect and arrange them in clusters.
Mirror pieces are available at any home-improvement or craft store.
Back to the message board -- special thanks to everyone who has visited. It's a great place to discover new ideas and share tips on the joys and hazards of crafting. Your idea may even end up right here.

Supplies:
* 15-20 small mirror pieces (1 inch wide) or 10 larger mirrors (2 to 3 inches wide)
* Fishing line or thin decorative ribbon
* E6000 glue
* Thin colored ribbon
Directions: Cut a 14- to 16-inch piece of fishing line. Tie a loop at the top large enough to fit over a tree branch. Apply a dollop of glue to the back of one of the mirror pieces and lay flat, glue side up. Place the fishing line on top. Press another mirror on top, so that the line is sandwiched between the two mirrors. Continue until you have several in a row. Take several strands of ribbon and tie them to the bottom of the string for color.

* For more artsy goodness, check out CraftyChica.com *

Labels: garden, inside, outdoor