Seashell Mirror

Susan W Bosscawen
by Susan W Bosscawen
3 Materials
$100
2 Weeks
Medium
Our youngest daughter and I were in one of those little shops a few years ago and I admired a large, over-the-fireplace-type seashell mirror in all white shells. A mere $1000.

I could do that, I told myself.

My guy brings home stuff he finds when out and about. Some of it’s pretty good. Some of it’s tacky. Some of it doesn’t ever make it across our threshold. But, you never know just what treasures he may find.


Photo courtesy BarefootAffairs.com
This was the first mirror. Note to self: Do NOT use sandpaper to remove stubborn glue from glass. It will scratch. Take the time to fully mask off with tape and paper the glass surface before beginning any work.
Photo courtesy BarefootAffairs.com
This is E6000 clear glue. I tried rubber cement, Loctite, and other glues. This is hands down my favorite.
Photo courtesy BarefootAffairs.com
Fortunately, I had two old mirrors on hand. Masked off the next very well. Sprayed it white. I chose white because I wanted the frame to disappear behind my shells--which I was leaving natural. And I had a can of spray white on hand.
 
Next, I sorted out all the shells in like kinds I'd been hoarding from trips to the beach. I purchased more at TJMaxx and asked the waiter for my escargot shells at dinner one night. This takes a lot of shells. And I wanted pretty shells. My found shells were a bit bland.
 
Work from back to front. I trimmed it with a rope glued on the edge. Next, glue background, throw away shells (I had also saved oyster shells) as filler to cover frame.
 
I didn't want a specific top or bottom. I wanted to hang it vertically or horizontally. I placed prettier shells around edges with larger or more unique ones in the center of each side and at corners.
Photo courtesy BarefootAffairs.com
I broke an old fake pearl necklace and hid pearls in some of the shells.
Photo courtesy BarefootAffairs.com
Propping up each layer of shells took creativity. I used anything to get the right height and angle for individual shells: other shells, small cans, small tools from my work bench, folded papers, etc.
 
I wanted it to look natural, so the shells were cleaned, but pretty much just as they were found. No oiled surfaces, no poly spray.
 
For more details, see http://barefootaffairs.com/making-my-own-sea-shell-mirror/.
Suggested materials:
  • Found & purchased shells   (TJMaxx)
  • E6000 glue   (Hobby Lobby)
  • Mirror   (Thrift shop)
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  • Susan W Bosscawen Susan W Bosscawen on Jun 04, 2017

    I used a French cleat. You can buy them or make your own by cutting a 1x1 board on a 45 degree angle and nailing one piece to your frame and the other to the wall. I've done both, just buy it .

  • SANDRA MOORE SANDRA MOORE on Jul 11, 2017

    Other ideas for added inspiration:

    Before attaching shells glue sandpaper randomly to the frame then add the shells and leave areas of sandpaper uncovered.

    Sisal rope tied in sailors' knots glued randomly throughout is a nice touch.

    Sisal can also be used as a border around outside edge of frame or around the glass of the mirror.

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