Sunburst Mirror Tutorial

I’ve seen these sunburst mirrors all over the internet and magazines, I’m just not willing to shell out $300-$700 for one of these beauties. If you saw my guest bedroom inspiration post, you would remember that I really wanted a sunburst mirror to bring the sunny element of the beach to our home.

This only cost me around $10 to make since I had some basics on hand.  By all means, use coupons!  Michael’s will also accept competitor coupons (read: JoAnn fabric) so this should be a steal.

Supplies:

• bamboo skewers – $0.99 at local supermarket
• 7″ diameter round mirror – approx. $3 at Michael’s
• 7″ diameter metal craft circles – approx. $4 at Michael’s (for three)
• craft glue suitable for use on metal – $2 from Michael’s
• picture hanger for the back of the mirror – $0.99 from Michael’s
• cardboard (FREE from my recycle bin)
• glue sticks and glue gun (already had)
• spray paint in color of your choice (already had)
• ruler, or other straight edge
• scissors

I used some elementary math for this project.  I knew that I wanted the rays of “sun” to be close together, so I needed the maximum number of skewers that would fit in the circle.  I settled on dividing my circle into 36ths.  For your ease, I created this template for you.  I had to do everything by hand.  Oh how your life changes after discovering Photoshop.

Download and print.  (This is a PNG file.  If you need a different format, let me know in the comments and I’ll hook you up.)

Trace your mirror onto your cardboard for its base and cut the cardboard.  The cardboard circle will be the base for your skewers.  Glue the printable onto the cardboard.

Next, you will need to create a guide for gluing the skewers.

Number 1 is the marker for the tip of the first skewer.
Number 2is the line marker for the tips of the two skewers on either side of the first.
Number 3 is the line marker for the tips of the skewers on either side of the first three.
Number 4 is the marker line for the tips of the skewers on either side of the first five.

I decided on these measurements after playing around with the shape I wanted.  You may want less measurements depending on the shape you want.  There is no right or wrong here, so be creative.

You get a shape that fans out like this.  I measured the distance from the center and plotted the measurements of each number.  I connected the dots and formed smaller circles.  Time consuming but so worth it.

You will repeat this pattern around the circle.  To make it visually easier, I alternated the shading of each “set” of seven skewers.  In case you’re wondering, I used every single skewer in the pack.  The outer two skewers are shared between each set.

To make it easier, I first hot glued all of the “number ones” around the circle.

Using the glue gun to adhere the skewers, work your way around the circle using the pattern described.  Important: too much hot glue will create an uneven base for the skewers when it spreads.  Use it as sparingly as possible while ensuring a good adhesion. Also, some skewers may not be perfectly straight and may put a strain on the pattern.  If this bothers you buy a second set of skewers and weed out the bent/bowed ones.

(I apologize for the lack of pictures for the next few steps.)

While it dries, spray paint the metal craft circle.  Let it dry thoroughly before spray painting the other side.  (If you only do one side the reflection will give away your laziness).

Spray paint the skewers.  Let dry.  Flip over and repeat.

Gluing the painted metal craft circle onto the mirror was the hardest part. They are both exactly 7″ in diameter. If the craft circle was just 1/4″ bigger, it would hug the mirror perfectly, but we don’t live in a perfect world guys.

Using the craft glue (I used a Scotch brand, and no, hot glue won’t do the trick so don’t skimp) glue the craft circle onto the mirror.  If any craft glue spreads out, use a box cutter blade to scrape off.

I also used the craft glue to adhere the picture hanger on the back.

Ta-da.  Gorgeous sunburst mirror for about $10 versus a triple-digit price tag.  Score!

Hang and enjoy!