In the world of DIY, any kind of object can be repurposed and used for something completely different. In fact, if you can take a mundane, every-day object – a spoon for example – and transform it into an interior design item – let’s say, a mirror – then you have reached an advanced level of DIY-ism. Heidelberg-based crafting-professional Vera Wohlleben will show you that with the help of some Montana METALLIC spray paints, this exact example is possible.
For this DIY project, you will need a bunch of plastic spoons, some cardboard, an old round mirror, a hot glue gun, a ruler, a drawing compass, some scissors, a plastic sheet or some old newspaper, an adhesive picture hanger, a pair of latex gloves, a mask and three cans of Montana METALLIC paints in three coordinating colors of your choice. Step one will be determining the size of the finished mirror. First you need to measure the diameter of your old mirror glass, excluding the plastic frame (if yours doesn’t have a frame just subtract 2 cm from the diameter of the mirror glass). Now you’re going to need to draw two circles on the cardboard, starting with the circle with the diameter you have just determined. Make sure to position this circle, in the middle of the cardboard, so that you now have enough room to draw a second larger circle. Once you’ve drawn your first circle, you need to determine how large you want the entire mirror to be and draw the outer line of your mirror with the help of your drawing compass. You have successfully drawn a doughnut. Next, you need to cut out that doughnut, discarding the doughnut hole and outer cardboard pieces. For the following step, you’re going to want to cover your work surface in newspaper or a plastic sheet.
Vera decided to go from the darkest to the lightest shade from outwards in. When working with aerosol paints, it’s always wise to wear latex gloves and a mask, especially when working indoors. Again, after about 20 minutes, your spoons should be dry and you can start cutting off the handles with your scissors. Stay as close to the bowl part of your spoon as possible. Now for the exciting step: warm up your hot glue gun and start gluing your spoons onto the cardboard in the same way you arranged them earlier. Repeat these last few steps for the second and third ring of spoons, changing up the color of the Montana METALLIC spray paint for each ring.
All images by NICESTTHINGS Vera Wohlleben
See how the spoons transform into flower petals? If you’d like, you can have the middle and center row of spoon-petals overlap a little, like Vera did. Once you’ve finished the center row of petals, it’s time to add the main attraction: the mirror. Using your hot glue gun, glue the mirror to the back of its new flower petal frame. Finally attach the adhesive picture hanger to the back of your cardboard. All that is left to do is to find a spot worthy of this designer mirror. Handmade by you.