Magic Mirrors Keynote gift
Updated: Jun 7, 2020
The Australian Fairy Tale Society is having a 3 day conference over the Queen's Birthday long weekend (Australian public holiday-not Lizzie's actual birthday-go figure). The theme is Magic Mirrors: The Seen and the Unseen
About 7 months ago I was asked if I could make a miniature mirror for $X or under as a thank you gift for their Keynote speaker (who is an artist I much admire).
In all honesty, I had to say no. Going small does not necessarily mean less expensive... BUT! I said after some reflection I could do something creative with a found mirror. There was some doubt in their tone of agreement, but it appears they trusted my judgement.
I had thoughts of using a mirror compact and doing something to it. Ideas came and went. I bought a lovely vintage powder compact, which sunk 60% of the budget. I settled on the idea of replacing the powder section with an engraved piece of coloured glass, with the text engraved in a way that to read it you are required to look in the mirror.
Happy with that concept I then mulled over how to create some 'flash glass'. Flash glass is sheet glass with a very thin layer of colour on one side. When you sandblast or engrave away the coloured side you can create imagery or pattern. I could buy some, but $$$... make some, but $$$ and then guess what fell into my lap?
A large piece of blue blown glass was being offered FREE at the Canberra Glassworks, so long, as that person smashed the object. I jumped at the chance and claimed my prize. I clobbered it with a hammer (safely and satisfyingly).
I then cut a small circle out of one of the shards (harder than you would think). I ground the edges and engraved some lettering on one side and flourishes on the other.
