This has got to be the most unusual item I’ve ever crafted with, thus far. Any guesses as to what I used to make my sunburst mirror?
Like a lot of you, I’m a budget crafter. I’m always looking for ways to repurpose or recycle what I have. Why buy it if you can make it, right? I obviously get this from my mother, because when she brought me a large container full of shiny fish scales I agreed with her that they were too pretty to put in the trash. They’re nearly unbreakable, and they remind me of capiz shells.
My mother cleaned the scales in soapy water before bringing them to me. If you’re not a big fish eater, you could recreate this look with silk flower petals. The bridal section at Dollar Tree has a bag of white silk petals that would make a beautiful sunburst mirror like this one.
Project estimate:
- Fish Scales, on hand
- Frame, on hand or $1
- Glue gun, on hand
- Mirror, on hand or $1 and up
Total: Free or $1 and up
To make your own sunburst mirror:
Step one: Paint the frame white.
Step two: Start from the outside edge and glue a row of scales around the frame.
Step three: Continue filling in rows until the frame is covered.
Step four: Insert a mirror. I actually did not have a mirror to fit this frame, so I sprayed Krylon’s Looking Glass paint on a piece of plastic I cut from a package.
Your new sunburst mirror is now ready to be displayed! What do you think, would you craft with fish scales? What’s the most unusual item you’ve ever crafted with?
17 Comments
Susan
Lovely! (until you told me what those beautiful delicate pieces were :) I’m impressed with your repurposing!
stephanie
I love that your mom thought “Hmmm….I’ll save these for Morena! She’ll make something pretty from them”
morena
Ha! Yes, my initial thought when she told me about them was “what?” LOL. But then I saw them and had to agree with her!
morena
Thank you! I think it’s one of those pieces that you can display and people will love it as long as you don’t tell them what it’s made of! :)
Cynthia Howe
I once had a pair of fish scale earrings, they were beautiful. My mom and dad brought them back from a trip to the Bahamas for me. They are also a great natural nail file, I now have one in my purse for said purpose.
The scales for the earrings had a single hole drilled into them and each was attached to a short chain overlapping each other on both sides of the chain. Just gorgeous. Sadly I lost them somewhere along the way. would love to craft another pair. Don’t know what kind of fish they came off of. The ones on the earrings were round and about the size of a quarter just a tiny bit larger.
Lizy @ http://justdipitinchocolate.blogspot.com/
In my country, Panama, we make Tembleques which are headpins and decorations for our national dress out of fish scales. It’s truly an art and they’re beautiful. Never thought of putting them in a mirror though. Nice. I wonder for how long your mom was collecting all those fish scales, lol.well done mom!
mid
Beautiful! But what kind of fish has scales that substantial?
morena
I’m not sure, my mother just said it was a very large fish. Maybe a Texas tarpon?
Lizy, I googled “tembleque” and now I want one. Stunning and very artistic!
Cynthia, the earrings sound beautiful. I have a lot of scales left…just might try that!
Gail
Wow! Very creative and impressive! Can’t imagine the type of fish with this size of scales. Looks like you can do some major damage to your hands trying to remove these. But it’s all worth it because this really looks pretty. I imagine you will be coming up with other ways to put them to use. Can’t wait!
corinna ashley
I keep wondering where your mom got these fish scales from? I think its a beautiful piece of decor. Would love even if i were your guest and you told me what it was made of. I wouldve tried to repurpose them myself, if i were ever so lucky to have someone bring me some! As for my strangest repurpose? I cant think of anything strange. I work in pharmacy, so i take home a lot of bottles and boxes that were headed for trash. Not strange at all in the world of DIY!
morena
Gail and Corinna, I wish I knew the name of the fish!
Rox Kezar
Ha! I thought you were pulling my leg! Fish Scales, Didn’t know they could be that big. I would love to have some. Earrings sound like they would be neat. Thanks for your tutorial.
Linda
I think those are Garr Fish Scales…
mel mccarthy
Beautiful. Wish we had those fish here in Vancouver! :)
Shannon
It would make sense if these came from a Tarpon, those things get huge. This is gorgeous!