The Security Sunburst

Sorry this post is a bit late! I lost power for a good part of the day, so I am a little behind.

SO as promised, a convex traffic/ security mirror makeover.  

I have always loved convex mirrors for their bubble- fish bowl effect.

You know those security/traffic mirrors you see on the road so people can see oncoming traffic from around a corner or a blind driveway?  Or in your local convenient store to watch shop lifters?

Well I happen to think they can also make for a kick ass hack for your home.

(And you can watch your kids from anywhere in the room...)

This project all started with a big discarded convex mirror I found while picking pieces to redo at the Furniture Bank.  I thought the mirror would make for a good sunburst mirror project- I just wasn't sure what I would use this time for the "burst".  

Cheryle came to the rescue and brought back a woven curtain panel (the ANNO STRA) from her latest IKEA haul. Its only $9.99 for the 24"x108" woven straw-like panel....

I decided that I would try to cut and layer it. 

I started by pulling a few (3-4) rows of the strings out that bound it on each side...

I then cut it longways down the center of the panel,

 making one strip wider, the other smaller. One strip was 6 sections, the other 7

 (by sections I mean the segments above between the white string).

I did a test of two pieces to see how it took spray paint.

It did great (with Rustoleum Bright Gold):

I stacked and folded the two pieces together and plated around with a layered look until I was happy....

I then proceed to spray both strips with gold on both sides

(they were cut in half in this picture so that they would fit on one drop cloth):

Once dry I brought them inside and broke out a glue gun and scissors...

I cut the strips into 3-4" wide pieces:

I first glued the shorter (6 segment) pieces along the mirror's edge, being sure to leave one segment frayed and the edge bent up...

Once I had a few of those pieces attached around the perimeter, I took the longer "straw" sections and folded  them 'almost' in half making sure the finished length was a little smaller than the shorter sections. 

I put a few drops of glue in the center of the longer piece....

folded, and made the fold 'permanent'...

I added some glue to the pieces that were attached to the mirror and then placed these new folded shorter pieces to them...

This created a fuller, layered sunburst, 

and the little bit of fringe from the first piece attached hid the second piece's seam...

I continued this all the way around...

Until I had a big, gold grassy sunburst.

Kind of hula beach chic...

Coming to your local 7-Eleven soon.

FYI- You can find convex mirrors here.

If you don't have a convex mirror, just use any round flat mirror!