Paper Reed Mirror

Last Updated on December 22, 2018 by lydiaf1963

Today’s project is intended to demonstrate another way to use paper reeds in home decor. I made a lot of them when I put together my Valentine’s Day Paper Reed Heart. This time I made a paper reed mirror by gluing leftover reeds to a decorative mirror with a wide frame.

To make this project you’ll need:

• paper reeds about 8 inches long (this project used 60)
• white glue
• MALM mirror from IKEA or similar decorative mirror with a wide frame
• scissors
• ruler

Decide on the pattern you’d like and measure the length needed for the reeds. For this project I decided to do a simple log cabin pattern. I trimmed one end of the reeds and then measured and cut the pieces around 8 inches long. The excess length is cut off so I didn’t worry about being precise.

To start, I taped a ruler along one side of the mirror to use as a guide. Then I spread some white glue and butted the cut ends of the reeds along the ruler. It took 14 or 15 reeds to cover the space and I adjusted the spacing and alignment while the glue was still wet.

I continued around the outside of the mirror, butting the cut ends of the reeds up against the previous section until the entire mirror was covered.

I weighted the piece with some books while the glue was drying. Then I trimmed the ends flush with the edge of the mirror frame.

The final project turned out great, don’t you think?

See this post for more information on making your own paper reeds. How would you use the ones you’ll make?