I finished the oyster shell mirror for the flea market:
Overall I was really pleased with the way it turned out–it’s large (2′ x 3′) and the shells went on well and were good shapes, etc. BUT, then I noticed that somehow either while I was storing it or making it, the glass got scratched–right in the middle of the mirror! So frustrating! So now I’m going to have to drastically discount it at the flea market next month. Next time I will be much more careful…
Thanks to everyone for sending good thoughts our way while Becky recuperates from a horrendous stomach bug. After one visit to the ER, one visit to the doctor’s office, one week of being unable to keep anything down, and one bad case of hives, I think we are starting to see light at the end of the tunnel. I’m keeping my fingers crossed in a few days it will be totally gone!
Thanks for stopping by!
That looks incredible! What’s this about selling it at a flea market? I’d be keeping it for myself even with the scratch. Perhaps I need to go back and look through previous posts.
Thanks Barbara! Camille from The Vintique Object and I are hosting a booth at the Alameda Antiques Faire the first weekend in August. Most of these recent projects have been for that. Plus I have some vintage finds and vintage linens and other goodies and Camille and her partner Wendy have a lot of unique pieces as well. It should be fun but I admit I’m a little stressed about getting everything ready in time–it’s coming up so soon…
I’m glad Becky is finally on the mend! What a rough road, poor thing. Hang in there mamma!! And that mirror is insane!!! How long did that take you?! People are going to love it no matter the scratch.
Hi Elizabeth–thanks for your kind thoughts! Becky is doing a little better but not back to normal. The mirror didn’t take that long once I got started but getting the shells cleaned was kind of a mess. It would all be worth it if I could sell it for what I wanted but the scratch is big and right in the middle of the $@!^%#$@ thing! I was so mad when I noticed it I did a little Yosemite Sam stomping dance with some unintelligible cursing…
Seriously love that mirror! Where did you get all those oyster shells…please tell me you did not have to schuck them all too! Bummer about the scratch…perhaps you could antique the back of the mrrror a little with one of the techniques floating around the web. It might look really cool with a distressed mirror and may hide the scratch? Just a thought…
I am thinking about going to the Alameda Antique Faire next month…if I do, I will try and find you and stop by to say Hi!!
Thanks Laura! I did not have to shuck them–thank goodness! I picked them up from a local restaurant who was happy to not throw them in the garbage. Last time I made one of these mirrors the restaurant actually cleaned the shells for me but not this time. I just soaked them for a few (stinky) days in oxyclean and then scrubbed them really well.
Love the idea about antiquing the mirror! If I can get the back off without messing up the shells I will try that. Thanks!
Hope to see you at the flea market!
I can’t get over that you made that – that is impressive Lane! How did you adhere all of the shells to the mirror? Just a glue gun? Or something more heavy duty? It looks professional like you could purchase from a catalog. Oh how I wish I lived in your area – I’d be at the flea market in a heartbeat. I was just eyeing up one that is in Lambertville, NJ – it gets good reviews and I’ve always heard good things so I’m going to check it out once the weather gets a little cooler. Hope your little one is feeling better soon.
Thanks Holly–That’s really kind of you! Except for the giant scratch in the middle it turned out great
My husband said I should just glue some shells to the middle of the mirror to hide the scratch–if only I could! I used construction adhesive to adhere the shells and it seemed to work well. I used a sort of super glue last time and it worked well but I found it much harder to work with. The construction adhesive takes forever to dry but once it does it seems to have a good grip. It was a labor of love but when I saw Ballard offering much smaller ones than this for $500 I thought I might as well give it a try.
Can’t wait to see your finds from Lambertville! I bet the antiquing in your area is fantastic. Becky finally seems much better tonight–thanks for asking.
Awww your poor baby girl! Hope she’s much better today.
Your oyster shell mirror came out GREAT! Love that the top is weighted with a third row….pretty design. I made a shell mirror a couple of years ago and I love it so much that I am considering making another one for my living room. How many shell mirrors can one house have??
I would happily snatch yours up at the flea market, scratch and all!
Thanks Lisa–that’s really encouraging! I hope someone else feels the same way at the flea market. If not, I may have to find a place to put mine in our house! Would love to see your shell mirrors…
Becky is much better today–thank you so much!