How to Make a Platter Mirror

If you look around at thrift stores much theres something youll see over and over again at nearly every store: plates and platters. Whether theyre amongst a set of antiques, or just a single plate or platter amongst other mismatched pieces, you can always find plates and platters which can be used to make assorted d?cor pieces at your house. Not just something like a painted tray that holds a floral arrangement, or a platter that sits on a kitchen counter to hold spices, but a real d?cor piece thats not only inexpensive to make but very breathtaking.

With assorted, frame-less mirrors from a craft store you can make your choice of platter mirrors. Its a good idea to take a pattern with you so you can choose the exact size of mirror you need. To make a pattern, just lay a piece of paper on top of the platter or tray, then press the paper into the natural grooves around the bottom of the plate. Cut it out so that it has the same shape as the bottom of the platter.

There are many frame-less mirrors from which to choose at a craft store and none of them are expensive. Large, round ones, huge square ones, octagons, ovals - all sorts of mirrors without frames. Select one that comes the closest to the size of your pattern or do a different design. For instance, if your platter has a rectangular shape you can mount a round mirror on it. Paint the platter or even cover it with fabric or decorative paper, such as scrapbook paper or wallpaper. Or, simply use the platter as-is. However, painting it, then adding the mirror, gives the platter a brand new look. When the paint is dry use glue suitable for mirrors and glass to attach the mirror to the platter or plate. When the glue is dry you can then, if you want, add embellishments to the mirror and/or platter. These can be anything from tiny jewels, glued around the perimeter of the mirror, to painted wooden shapes attached to the platter frame. Use a picture hanger on the back of the platter to hang it on a wall. Or, take the craft one step further and add a bow to it. Make a large bow from wired ribbon and glue just the hanging parts of the ribbon to the back of the platter. That way, the bow rests up against the wall, atop the platter, and gives the appearance that the platter mirror is hanging by the bow. Its a beautiful arrangement that makes use of an old platter that had already seen its glory days. See a platter mirror here.