Gem Mirror

What to do:
Step 1: To make your octagon gem shape, first you'll want to cut your mirror into a square. Use a metal ruler and marker to measure out and draw a square the size of your desired finished width onto the mirror.

Step 2: Position your glass cutting tool on your line and place your metal ruler up against the cutting wheel. Use your glass cutter tool to score a line into the mirror that runs the entire length of the mirror (make sure to keep your tool right up against the ruler as you score). You want to firmly score the line in one single pass, so don't go over your line again once you've scored it. You are basically cutting off the entire chunk of mirror that is to the left (or right) of your marked square line. It basically feels the same as cutting with an X-Acto knife.

Step 3: Once your line is scored, scoot the mirror to the edge of the table and line up the scored line with the edge. In one swift motion, push down on the piece you are breaking off and it will snap at the scored line leaving a clean break between the two.

Step 4: Once your four sides are snapped and you have a square, measure, mark, score, and snap off the corners of the square to get your final octagon shape. Clean the lines off the mirror with glass cleaner.

Step 5: Cover the whole front of your mirror with contact paper. Use the template provided (click here to download) to draw and cut the lines of your gem with your marker and then X-Acto knife. Draw and then cut all the lines in the order as shown. You can make your lines as thick or as thin as you want depending on the overall size of your mirror. Peel off all the lines to expose the mirror underneath.

Step 6: Before painting, use a fine grade sandpaper to lightly sand the edges of your mirror in case there are any sharp spots.

Step 7: Spray your mirror with a few coats of gold spray paint and top it off with a clear coat spray. Use the X-Acto knife to lift up the corners of your contact paper shapes and peel off each piece.

What you need:
- glass cutter tool
- mirror
- metal ruler + marker
- gloves and safety glasses
- gem line drawing and cutting guide (click here to download)
- fine grade sandpaper
- contact paper
- X-Acto knife
- gold spray paint
- clear spray paint

Estimated time needed: 1 hour

ref: abeautifulmess.com