I saw a mirror almost exactly like this at Target in their Global Bazaar Collection. It was $50 bucks! With a tube of Delta texture paint and a mirror from Ikea, I made my own version!

Recently I was cruising the aisles of one of my favorite home décor stores when I came upon a gorgeous Indian-inspired mirror. My first thought was to buy several and arrange them in my entryway. Then I flipped the frame over and concluded the price wouldn't allow that.

Rather than give up, the crafty wheels began to turn. Ikea has great wood-frame mirrors for less than $5, and I just happened to have a stack of them (a result of a post-holiday shopping spree). With textured paint and a stencil, I was able to design my own signature set, and the cost to make four was less then the original one I saw at the store.

Indian-inspired Mirror

Supplies:
Wood frame with mirror
Water-based acrylic paint in cranberry and gold
Delta Texture Magic dimensional paint, red
Stencil with swirly designs
Popsicle stick, cotton swab
Card stock and scissors
Spray-on stencil adhesive





Directions: Cut a piece of card stock to fit over the mirror and set it in place (to protect it while you work on the frame). Apply just one coat of the cranberry paint on the frame because you want to achieve a weathered look. Let dry. In a well-ventilated area, lightly spray the adhesive on the frame and let it set for a few seconds until it becomes tacky. Lay the stencil on the frame and rub with your hands to seal it. Squeeze the textured paint from the tube onto the Popsicle stick and glide it over the frame, filling in the stenciled areas. When the entire surface is covered, peel off the stencil. Let the frame dry. If you're working with a small stencil, repeat the process. Once the frame is dry (about one hour), dab the cotton swab in the gold paint and apply it to the edges of the raised surfaces on the frame, and around the outside border. Let dry.

Tips and variations: Mix and match the colors. Stencils come in a variety of themes. The same principle can be used on walls, cabinet doors, gift boxes and even heavyweight paper for scrapbooking or altered book projects.

* By Kathy Cano Murillo, copyright 2005. Photos property and courtesy of Arizona Republic and AzCentral.com. For more artsy goodness, check out CraftyChica.com *

Labels: home decor, inside, multi-culti