Hello amazing friends! Are y’all ready to see what else I salvaged from that pile of thrift store goodies?
Today I’m sharing how I repurposed this picture:
It was marked down twice to $4.98. The frame was wood and had lovely detailing on it, so in the cart it went. Now when I said I repurposed the picture, I fibbed a bit because I don’t think there is much hope for the actual picture, but I was able to reuse the frame in an awesome way.
I was working in my shop (aka the garage) last week when I happened to notice that this mirror, that I found back before Halloween, was pretty close the size of my beautiful new frame:
This mirror was inside a larger more beautiful frame, and I scored it for $10. Except it wasn’t really a score because the larger frame started crumbling apart at the lightest touch. Because I am drawn to all things gold and shiny, I must have blocked out that detail as I ran to the check out to purchase it.
I did reuse that crumbling piece however, in our Halloween display.
So the rest of this mirror has been sitting right where it was when I originally took it apart…
I removed the outer frame and went to try it out in my new frame, crossing my fingers that it would be a match, but of course it was not to be as the frame was too large:
Or was it?
Enter this beauty:
I decided to stop in at the thrift store closest to our house to see if they had a frame that I could cut down and use to fill that gap. I knew using a frame would have the channel in the back that I needed to insert the mirror into, and for $2.50, this was the answer.
Cut the new frame to fit the mirror
I cut the frame down to fit using my miter saw:
Then I used wood glue and clamps to reattach the two corners:
These were my Dad’s clamps that he passed along to me when he stopped woodworking. I feel like I’m channeling his wood working skills whenever I use them!
Paint
I painted both frames in white:
Wet Distress
About an hour later, I used a damp washcloth to wet distress the raised detail:
Often when you take sandpaper to these frames, the sandpaper takes away too much and instead of seeing the beautiful wood beneath, you get a funky white color. Wet distressing fixes that, however you only have a short window after painting your final coat to be able to easily remove paint this way, about an hour is ideal.
Seal
I waxed both frames with Clear Wax to seal.
Combine the Frames
Then I used straight nails at an angle to attach the gold mirror to the smaller frame from the backside.
I used these brackets I already had on hand to attach the smaller frame and mirror to the larger frame:
I had no clue how I was going to attach them so this worked out great.
Make the new backing pretty
Then I used pretty paper from Hobby Lobby and Matte Mod Podge to make the back pretty also:
I used the original hanging hardware that was on the frame and that was that.
Now I have a brand new mirror:
I decided to keep the gold on the original mirror since that is what drew me to it in the first place.
Plus it matches the other frames in my dining room:
This is going in my office across the hall though.
I am so thrilled that I was able to use that gold mirror after all.
Layering the frames gives this piece even more dimension.
One more piece down! Woohoo! There’s not much left…almost time to go shopping again!
If you missed any, you can catch up below:
80’s Towel Bar Shelf Repurposed
Pretty Thrift Store Mirror Makeover
$2 Thrift Store Drawer Upcycle
I’ll be back on Thursday with the other larger drawer:
And yes that is the very same before drawer picture, but different drawer after I promise!
UPDATE: Lucky you…no need to wait! See what became of this drawer HERE now!
See ya then, friends! 😀
XOXO,
Don’t Miss a Thing!
If you like what you see, there are several ways to follow along!
EMAIL * INSTAGRAM * FACEBOOK * PINTEREST
Mary Kaiser says
Now that’s some fast thinking DIY!! I am shocked that you even had to go to the thrift store to get another frame, shocked that you didn’t already have one in your stash!! LOL! It turned out really beautiful! Great job!!
Christy says
Thanks so much, Mary! I know, right? I did check my stash first, but I don’t usually buy thinner frames like the one I needed! XOXO
Char Fisher says
You are such an inspiration with your DIY projects. Now I must run out to my closest flea markets and find a frame to transform. Love your projects! Thanks for sharing!C
Christy says
Aww thank you so much, Char! You are so sweet! XOXO
Christina in SW FL says
Nicely created Christy! I am so glad you are keeping this beauty! 🙂
Have a great week.
Christy says
Thanks, Christina!! Yes I think this will do nicely in my office! Hope you enjoy your week too! XOXO
Jerri says
You are so clever! I look forward to reading your emails and love seeing the transformations. Simply amazing! You inspire me to look at “junk” in a new way and see the potential in it. Wish you were my neighbor so I could watch and learn from you.???? When is your book coming out? I’ll have to go that route since moving isn’t an option for either of us. I’m learning so much from you and feeling more confident with a paint brush. Thank you!
Christy says
Thank you so much, Jerri! I’d love to have you as my neighbor…I’d put ya to work ha ha! I love that you are feeling inspired…that is the best!! XOXO
Cindy Hathaway says
Wow! You are so talented. I love what you do with your thrift store finds. I would never think of the amazing things that you make from your finds. I’m also quite envious of the good prices at your thrift store, here in Phoenix the prices are often way too high for the age and condition of the item. Anyway, just as you channel your dad I’m doing my best to channel you. Now when browsing goodwill I think “What would Christy do?” ????
Christy says
Oh I love that, Cindy! You are so funny! And thank you so much!! Some of our thrift stores are pricey as well, but we have one chain that is very reasonable, thank goidness. Can’t wait for yard sale season! XOXO
Larissa ~ Prodigal Pieces says
Fantabulous! Great use of your creative skills. So beautiful!
Christy says
Thank you, Larissa!! XOXO
Denise says
I love that you use your dad’s clamps! I have some of my dad’s tools and even tho a few of them look rough, they work perfectly and I LOVE using them. Anyway, the mirror is gorgeous. The original gold looks amazing. ????
Christy says
Thanks, Denise! I know you treasure your Dad’s tools, and so nice that you can think of him when you use them. XOXO
Sandra Fischer says
Very nice save and redo on the frames but I am curious if the print? In the original purchase was a print or was it a painting because it looked lovely to me . What exactly was wrong with it and did you trad it ??
Christy says
Thanks, Sandra! It was a print with a bumpy texture made to look like a painting, and it didn’t really match my decor. I bought it for the lovely frame. XO
gwen says
i love the idea of layering the frames – i know i would have never thought to do that!
i’m anxious to see what you do with the spice rack in the photo, i have one exactly like it!
i always love your makeovers Christy!
Christy says
Aww thanks, Gwen! Hoping to get to the spice rack soon! XOXO
Theresa says
Christy:
What did you do with the spice rack?
The reason I ask is I have the same spice rack and was thinking of painting it.
Theresa
Christy says
Hi Theresa! I haven’t made it to the spice rack yet, but soon! XO
Robyn Wright says
Clever, clever thinking with adding the other frame and cutting it to fit. I swear I learn more from you every week. Thank you!
Christy says
Aww yay! Thank you, Robyn! XOXO
Debbie in TX says
What a neat idea. It looks like it was meant to be that way all along. It’s great that it goes with your other frames. I bet it looks wonderful!!
Christy says
Thank you, Debbie! Yes with that pop of gold, I knew it would work great in my office! XOXO
Marcie Lovett says
I guessed mirror! But not a triple trash-to-treasure mirror. You really worked magic to get that mirror to fit, Christy. Great saves on all three frames! Do you hold on to the glass for another project?
Christy says
Good guess! Thanks, Marcie! I’m so excited I was able to use that vintage mirror! I usually toss the glass since it is always very thin and easily breakable. XOXO
Linda C Johnston says
Fantastic! Just fantastic! Geez, I wish I could come up with this stuff. lol No kidding, an exceptional job of upcycling.
Christy says
Thank you, Linda! I appreciate that! XOXO
Kaycee says
Hi Christy,
What a sweet looking framed mirror you created for you office! I love the “Midas touch” of gold against the Bit of Sugar paint, the colors look great together!
Christy says
Thank you so much, Kaycee! Im do glad I get to keep this one! XOXO
Leticia says
Wow, this was darn sure creative! Loved the post! Thanks for sharing! Leticia
Christy says
Thank you so much, Leticia!! XOXO
Shirley says
I am in love and that’s all I’ve got to say!????
Christy says
Yay! Thank you, Shirley! XO
Julie Briones says
This is almost like March Madness! So fun, and lovely makeovers, Christy!
Christy says
Right?? I was thinking that too ha ha! Thanks, Julie! XOXO