Kathy Capone, owner of Two Totally Cool & Company, shows how to make a star mirror with the assistance of an easy-to-use scroll saw. To alleviate the fear of intimidating power tools, Capone emphasizes their usefulness and demonstrates how they can be a real crafting asset.
Materials:
pencil
scroll saw
1/8" paraplywood
fine grit sand paper
drill with 1/16" drill bit
Apple Barrel paint colors - Cobalt Blue, Laguna
Americana paint colors - Coral Rose
Ceramcoat paint colors - Sunbright Yellow, White, Black
14-gauge electrician's wire
5" x 7" mirror with rounded corners
wooden frame with 5" x 7" opening
assorted paint brushes
clear acrylic sealer
staple gun with 1/2" staples or E6000 glue and glue gun
Steps:
- Sketch or trace five stars of assorted sizes on wood piece.
- Using a scroll saw, cut the images out of the wood. Let the saw do the work and be extremely careful to keep your fingers away from the blade at all times. The wood should feed through the saw as easily as material through a sewing machine foot.
- Sand the edges of each star.
- Paint and decorate the frame with your desired colors and patterns, or follow the design suggested in the illustration.
- When dry, spray with clear acrylic sealer.
- Using a 1/16-inch drill bit, drill a hole in the bottom of each star. Repeat on the top of the wood frame.
- Staple mirror in place, or if using glue, apply generously and let dry overnight.
- Cut electrical wire at random lengths and wind around pencil or paintbrush. Add a drop of glue to each end of the wire and insert one end to the star bottom hole, the other into the frame. Repeat for each star.
Some additional advice from Capone:
- Safety comes first. I use jockey goggles when I'm working with power tools. These goggles have air vents on the sides that prevent them from fogging up. I got mine from a friend who is a jockey, but you can also find these at sporting goods stores, or buy regular safety goggles at the hardware store or lumber yard in your area.
- I use several different brands of acrylic paints, as I find that there are certain colors I like from each brand.
- A hand-held jig saw can also be used on this project and is less expensive than a scroll saw. My scroll saw is mounted so it lets me use both hands and ensures a cleaner, smoother wood cut.
Resources hand-painted giftware - Two Totally Cool & Co.
Two Totally Cool & Co.
716 Wesley Ave. #4
Tarpon Springs, FL 37489
USA
Phone: 727-781-9610
Fax: 727-944-3658
Email:
Ttcool4u@aol.com
craft paint - Americana
DecoArt Inc.
Website:
www.decoart.com
craft paint - Apple Barrel
Plaid Enterprises Inc.
Website:
www.plaidonline.com
acrylic paint, varnish - Ceramcoat by Delta
Delta Creative
Website:
www.deltacreative.com
wood boxes - Walnut Hollow
Available at local craft stores.
Walnut Hollow
We apologize the company no longer carries this item. Guests Kathy Capone
Crafter & Artist, Two Cool and Company
c/o Two Cool and Company
1417 Ironworks Ln.
Tarpon Springs, FL 34689
Phone: 727-934-0962
Email:
Ttcool4u@aol.com
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