Make A Recycled Book Page Sunburst Mirror!

Book Page Mirror entry small

Now I can finally cross recycled book page projects off my to-do list! There’s just one problem this project was so quick and fun, I think I may just have to make some more! It took me a total of two hours, including taking photos for the tutorial and a few other distractions, so all things considered, I think that’s pretty good for a masterpiece like this!

As you may or may not know, book page projects (mostly wreaths) have been all the rage amongst a certain crafty blogging circle, and my main problem was finding a book, if you can believe that! I finally found this old hebrew grammer book that someone was throwing away, and even as I tore it apart I was thinking, “hey I could have used this” Oh well, I’m really glad I made the mirror instead!

Book Page Mirror On Wall2small

Book Page Mirror Crop

You’ll Need:

  • An old book you don’t mind tearing up
  • A base of some kind, and a small round mirror
  • Glass pebbles and mosaic pieces (mine are from the local dollar store)
  • A hot glue gun

How To:

Book Page Mirror How To 1
Step 1: Attach your mirror to the base. Mine was ready-made, as you see it, a crafting discard from a friend. Can’t wait to show her what I did with it! This is a piece of mdf, but you could certainly use a heavy piece of cardboard.

Step 2: Roll pages into cones. Figure out a method that works for you and try to make the cones as similar as possible. I made mine by place each page in front of me horizontally, folding up the bottom portion to form an icecream cone shape, and creasing to help form the beginning of the cone. I then pulled this piece up into a cone shape and started rolling. Secure at the end with hot glue.

Step 3: Secure your cones to the base, placing pieces at corners and mid-points of circle, and then start filling in the empty spaces around the mirror.

 

Book Page Mirror How To 2
Step 4: Keep gluing until you’ve filled the entire diameter of the circle. Here’s what mine looked like from the front and from the back. (Those colored patches are from my friend’s art project that never made it into the world.) Check to make sure that all your cones are the same length, and replace those that are either too short (in my case) or too long.

Book Wreath Mirror How To 3
Step 5:
Place glass mosaic pieces on top of your work, and move them around until you arrive at a design that  pleases you. I must say those elliptical pieces really made me happy! Secure glass pieces with hot glue.

Step 6: I made a hanger by gluing a piece string to the base and securing with lots of hot glue and circles cut from cereal boxes.

That’s it. Really so simple! I could definitely see an entire wall filled with theses in all sizes! Great for decorating a plain event space for a special occasion, or adding a crafty touch to just about anywhere! Or you can even sandwich two together back to back, for a gorgeous hanging decoration in a stair well or corner of any room. Have some other book page projects you’d like to share, send me photos! All the best, and happy crafting. And by the way, the etherial quality of this project seems just right for Shavous!

 

Comments

36 responses to “Make A Recycled Book Page Sunburst Mirror!”

  1. Sumi Avatar

    Hi.Thanks a ton for visiting my blog and leaving such an encouraging comment.I will definitely submit it for your party.
    Also,just wanted to let you know that I have been following your blog on and off for quite some time and have always felt overwhlemed by your creative ideas.I just never left a comment.Was just being lazy I guess.But not to worry I am definitely improving.:-)

  2. raizel Avatar
    raizel

    ok, that is so cool!

  3. Sara Rivka Avatar

    Hi Raizel! Thanks so much, I highly recommend this project, soooooo easy and really unique! xoxoxoox

  4. Sara Rivka Avatar

    Hi Sumi, So nice to hear from you! Sorry you felt overwhelmed, believe me, there are sites that i visit that give me that same feeling! There are so many amazingly talented people out there in the big wide world, and yet each of us has something unique to share, so just keep creating! All the best.

  5. Teacher Teacher Avatar

    I think I would have the same problem, Sara. I would have trouble finding a book I was willing to tear up. But I like this design a lot. I especially like the concept of hanging a double-sided one as a focal point in a room. Marvelous.

  6. Sara Rivka Avatar

    Thanks Margo! The key is to tear up someone elses book! Good luck, and thanks for actually reading my posts!

  7. Dena Avatar

    this is soooo cool! I’d think you could do it with colorful flyers from grocery stores, etc., as long as they’re the same size to start.

  8. Tracey Avatar
    Tracey

    Who would’ve thought!! Great project:-)
    Thanks for stopping by my blog earlier, I will link up below, thanks for the invite!
    Tracey

  9. Sara Rivka Avatar

    Thanks so much Tracey, great to have you!

  10. Sara Rivka Avatar

    Thanks Dena! Yes, certainly you could use any paper, just the slightly old and yellow book pages lend this project a certain aged quality which makes it look more on the side of elegant rather than playful, if you know what I mean! A bright version would be great for a kids room or how about the Succah? (is it that time already?)

  11. The Answer Is Chocolate Avatar

    Just saw this on oneprettything.com . I’ve made a book wreath but really like the inclusion of a mirror and the glass pebbles. You have a great blog.

  12. KC Avatar

    I just can’t bring myself to tear up a book, would a magazine work? I have tons of them.

  13. Sara Rivka Avatar

    Hi KC, I know how you feel, thats why i used someone elses book! A magazine will work, just with different aesthetic results obviously…..
    Newspaper is a bit too thin as are phone books, (though you could still make one from one) but any other paper is great!

  14. Shira Avatar

    Wow. Amazing. It doesn’t seem too difficult but the result is stunning. What an original way to spice up a dull corner.

  15. Sara Rivka Avatar

    Exactly! Its so simple with great results, a little crafting miracle! Give it a try, the possibilities are endless!

  16. Beverly Avatar

    This looks wonderful. I really like the addition of the mirrow and the way you rolled the pages – like a starburst. It turned out fantastic!
    I think I might have to make one of these with shells since we’re near the beach. Love it!

  17. Sara Rivka Avatar

    Thanks so much, I was going for the starburst look, like those antique gold mirrors! Shells sounds like a really great combo, infact I think I might have to try that too, got a bunch hanging around that I need to use! Thanks for the inspiration!

  18. Jill Avatar

    That is super cute! I’m going to feature this 🙂

  19. Kim @ Cheap Chic Home Avatar

    Ingenious! Wonderful job.

  20. Sara Rivka Avatar

    Thanks so much Kim!

  21. Sara Rivka Avatar

    Thats great, thanks so much!

  22. patsy Avatar

    This seems really easy to do, and came out nice. I guess you could make a square one too. Patsy from HeARTworks

  23. Sara Rivka Avatar

    Hi Patsy, Yes, its really easy to do! A square one would be great!

  24. Chelsea Avatar

    Your mirrored wreath turned out great. I just love these! Thanks for linking up to Be Inspired this week.
    Chelsea

  25. Kindle Avatar

    I will have to google shavous, but I love this tutorial! I could see it in various sizes and maybe spray painted to match some decor! Love it!

  26. Sara Rivka Avatar

    Thanks so much! Yes, there are so many ways you could go with this, Id love to see a whole wall covered in them in a whole bunch of sizes! All the best.

  27. Nancy Ward Avatar

    Hi!
    Wanted you to know that I posted a link to this tutorial today on my blog.
    nancy Ward
    http://www.nancywardcrafts.com

  28. Sara Rivka Avatar

    Thanks so much Nancy! All the best, and enjoy your summer!

  29. Ann H Avatar
    Ann H

    I really like this project. I have a 3 1/2 year old daughter who’d love to tear up a book for this! I’m also thinking of making a mirror using feathers in place of the pages.

  30. Sara Rivka Avatar

    Hi Ann, Feathers sounds great, actually i like the idea of combining feathers and book pages, very Edgar Allen Poe like no? Of course I guess which feathers you have in mind! All the best!

  31. anna see Avatar

    It looks great! I definitely want to try this!

  32. Sara Rivka Avatar

    Thanks Anna, it really only took me about 2 hours from start to finish and weve been enjoying it every since! If you do decide to make one, please do share the results! all the best.

  33. Nora B. Peevy Avatar

    I liked this post so much. I linked to it in my recent blog post about recycled book art. I have a blog dedicated to all things book related. I am a fantasy and horror author.
    Hope to see you there!
    -Nora

  34. Sara Rivka Avatar

    Thanks so much Nora!

  35. S. Rider Avatar
    S. Rider

    Not sure if you are aware, but if you go to your local library and ask for old books that are damaged, they may just give them to you! I know at the library where I work we are constantly weeding old and damaged titles out and love to give them away instead of tossing them in the dumpster out back.

  36. Sara Rivka Avatar

    Wow, thats a GREAT tip, thanks so much! Hear that everyone?

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