This project began with the idea of a skeleton mirror. I love brainstorming with my oldest son, Jon-Michael. Ironically, my question for him was how to create the same look as black plexiglass without the high cost. I was considering high gloss black spray paint. He offered up the idea of an infinity mirror. Wow! Wouldn’t a chic skeleton infinity mirror be over-the-top cool? Oh, yes! This will not be lowering my cost, however…
What’s an infinity mirror? It’s an optical illusion, which you can create by using lights between a regular mirror and a two-way mirror, or in this case, a glass fitted with tint film. My research said the best VLT (Visible Light Transmission) for this infinity project is 20%.
I found the shadow box on sale at Hobby Lobby for half the regular price.
You’ll notice that although the mirror has multiple rows of light, it doesn’t go to infinity. I think a smaller frame would have worked better. This one is 16″ x 20″. I think a 12″ x 16″ might have worked better.
Supplies Needed for This Skeleton Infinity Mirror
- Black Magic Tint Film
- 16″ x 20″ Black Wooden Shadow Box
- *16″ x 20″ Mirror
- LED Light Strip
- Heat Gun
- Flathead Screwdriver
- Skeleton
- Silver Spray Paint
- Microfiber cloth
- Plastic Martini glass
* I removed the black back from the shadow box and took it to Michael's framing department. I measured the black back that I removed. It is 20-inches, but it is 1/8-inch short of being exactly 16-inches. It's possible that the frame you buy isn't exactly 16 x 20 -inches either. Before you have it cut, measure or take the back with you to have the mirror cut to the right size.
How to Make an Infinity Mirror:
First, disassemble the shadow box frame. You must be able to remove the clear glass from the frame.
Pry the flexible points upward with the flat head of a screwdriver or your finger. Then, remove the back.
Next, remove the inner liner that holds the glass in place. Then, remove the glass.
Right out of the package, it is hard to believe the glass was as dirty as it was. Lay the glass on a towel. Use a microfiber cloth and window cleaner to clean both sides of the glass. Don’t use paper towels! They leave behind tiny particles of the paper towel and streaks.
Apply the Film to the Glass
You’ll Need:
- Black Magic Tint Film
- Dish Soap like Dawn
- Spray Bottle
- Sharp razor or X-Acto knife (Don’t use Scissors!)
- Squeegee
Be sure to read the instructions on the Black Magic first.
Use plenty of a soapy solution for applying (and cleaning,) the film. You can’t use too much spray. Don’t use ammonia-based window cleaners!
Make a solution from distilled water and dish soap. For this small project, I used 2 cups of distilled water and 3/8 teaspoons of Dawn Dishwashing Soap. Gently mix the soap into the water. Fill a spray bottle with the solution. I didn’t need that much; 1 cup of the solution is plenty.
Be careful not to crease the film! Creases cannot be removed.
Cut the Film
The glass I’m using is roughly 16 x 20 – inches. I cut the film 18 -inches wide and left the 2-foot width of the film. You want to cut the film at least 1 inch larger than the glass all the way around.
Pull the film and the backing apart in one corner. This might be the most difficult part of the project, getting them separated, that is.
Take 2 pieces of 2-inch long tape and place them right sides facing each other on the corner of the window film and the liner side. The tape strips should be half on the film corner and half extending beyond the film. Press them onto both the tint side and the liner side firmly.
Spray the glass with the soapy mixture.
Place film onto the soapy glass, with the liner facing you.
In a smooth motion, pull the liner away from the film. As you pull, spray the soapy solution between the film and liner to minimize static. The adhesive side is now exposed.
Place the wet adhesive side against the glass. It should slide easily. Remove it and spray more of the soap solution if it doesn’t. Then, re-apply the film.
Squeegee
Spray the film until very wet and then use the squeegee. Push the film into the exact position and begin to squeegee out all air and liquid bubbles. Begin horizontally across the top first.
Squeegee from one side to the other until all bubbles are gone. Spray the soapy liquid again and squeegee it.
Lay the glass on a cutting mat, with the film side down. Then, use the sharp razor blade or knife and gently trim away any extra film from the edges. A few bubbles popped up along the edges as I cut. If this happens, just continue to cut all four sides. Then, turn the glass over and spray the film with the soapy mixture, and squeegee it again.
Then, leave this, film side up, to dry as you prepare the skeleton.
Prepare the Skeleton
First, we must prepare the skeleton and have it ready to attach to the glass.
Start by removing the screws that hold the pelvis and spine together. Then remove a couple of screws that hold the front of the spine to the back of the spine.
For the skeleton to appear that he is coming out of the mirror, we need to make a couple of alterations. We need to have a flat surface to glue to the glass, I cut off about a 4-inch section from the back spine. To do this, remove a couple of the screws that hold the spine pieces together. Then, pry the pieces slightly apart. I use the screwdriver to hold the pieces apart enough to use cutters to cut off a section of the spine back.
Use a heat gun to soften the flat plastic spine and bend it upward so that the upper part of the skeleton will lean forward.
Then, cut off the round joint at the base of the spine.
For this skeleton, I want his hands to be holding a glass in one hand and beckoning with the other. So, I took the two screws out at the wrist, removed the hand, and replaced it palm side upward. Then, I replaced the screws.
Use the heat gun to bend the fingers to appear to be holding the martini glass or to make the hand appear less stiff.
Paint and Add Bling to the Skeleton
After you have the skeleton the way you want it, the next step is painting it with silver paint. You can use painter’s tape to cover the eye socket and nasal cavity.
Be sure to spray paint outside or in a well-ventilated area. Remember to spray several light coats instead of a heavy coat, which might drip.
Next, use black acrylic paint to accent the indentations and antique the skeleton.
Add Bling to the Chic Spooky Skeleton Wreath
You can use Tacky Glue, but I am using Super Glue, and B-7000 today.
Put a dab of glue on the skeleton where you want to adhere the jewels or bling. Place each jewel or bead in the dab of glue to decorate your skeleton—bling him up as much or as little as you like. After adding the rhinestones I bought, I decided it needed a little more. So, I raided my jewelry-making supplies and added some small silver and other small crystal beads.
Assemble the Infinity Mirror
Be sure to face the side of the glass without the film downward in the frame first. The film side should be on the inside.
Then, place the inner liner into the frame.
Applying the Battery-Operated LED Strip Lights
First, decide where you want the battery pack. I decided to have it on the back right bottom side. It will be on the front left bottom side when the frame is displayed on the mantel. You’ll have to have a crack or opening to run the cord to the battery pack.
This battery-operated LED Light Strip has a blue backing that peels off to reveal an adhesive strip. Pull off a few inches of the blue tape backing that begins closest to the battery pack. (We’ll be cutting off the excess from the other end.)
You can see the light strip has a line to indicate where you can cut the strip to shorten it. After cutting it, adhere the loose end to the liner.
Adding the Mirror
Before putting the mirror in place, you will want to clean the mirror with glass cleaner and a microfiber cloth. Then, lay the mirror with the right side down in the frame on top of the inner liner.
To ensure the mirror is not resting on the cord and possibly cutting it, I cut a rubber O-ring on one side and wrapped the cord with it. We have some rubber washers somewhere, but I can’t find them right now. Dave offered up the O-ring and it is seemingly working.
Attaching the Skeleton to the Infinity Mirror
Before attaching the skeleton, ensure that there are some flat areas to glue to the Plexiglass. Cut off the nibs that helped hold the spine front and back together. I did this with an X-Acto knife.
Then, lay the skeleton on a hard surface to make sure there are strategic spots to glue to the plexiglass. In this case, the two lower vertebrae touch the table, and the two lower ribs on each side touch the table, too.
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Glue the Skeleton in Place
I used Clear Flex Glue to adhere the lower spine and the two lower ribs on both sides of the spine to the plexiglass. I used a rolled kitchen towel to support the skull and shoulders as the glue dried.
The glue set up pretty quickly. I still left the skeleton to sit like this overnight. The next morning, it seemed very secure.
Faux Cocktail DIY
This faux cocktail is made with a plastic cocktail glass from Dollar Tree. I mix several drops of red food coloring with a little Mod Podge and then paint inside the stem and around the base of the bowl.
When the Mod-Podge mixture is dry, it is translucent. Once the red Mod Podge is dry, mix 1 drop of yellow food dye into some Mod Podge.
Paint the yellow-tinted Mod-Podge onto the cocktail glass from the red-tinted Mod-Podge to the rim of the glass. Allow the tinted glue to dry.
Then, apply Tacky Glue to the rim of the glass and set it in glitter. I sprinkled clear glitter onto tin foil, then dipped the glass rim into the glitter.
Once the tinted glue is dry, it can be glued onto the skeleton’s hand. I used Tacky Glue strategically where the skeleton thumb and a couple of fingers touch the cocktail glass. Hold in place until the glue grabs, then let it dry.
Finishing Touch
Add a wired ribbon bow tie. I may add a top hat before Halloween.🤔
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