Another way to repurpose an old window

Have a thing about an old window. When I find one I have a hard time leaving it behind. There are just so many ways to repurpose a window. A few weeks ago at Jellison Trader's (my favorite store, really) there was one that I really liked, so it came home with me.

It really was the best thing for the window and myself. The window is getting a new life and I don't have to keep thinking I should of bought it. See it's a win-win. I have been wanting inspiration board of some type to hang in my craft room for a while. This window is going to fulfill that want.

 

I wanted a mirror in the middle and chicken wire on each side (sort like this one I did). The first step I did was to remove the glass and paint the frame. Once that was done it was time to tackle the mirror.Mirror glass can be expensive when you need to purchase a specific size. Luckily I had taken a stained glass course many years ago and can cut my own glass. Purchasing glass at a glass shop off the rack can still be pricey. In order to save money I purchase a full length mirror ( sorta like this) when I need it.

The frames on the mirrors are really flimsy, making them easy to take apart. When I bought the one for a side of the frame had already fallen off (I was able to get a discount and paid less than $3) and the rest fell off before I even got home. When I got home all I had left to do was to measure the panel opening and cut the mirror.



 

I use liquid nails on any mirror project. I have done many and I have never had a problem with it not holding.

 

Although you have to be careful not to get it all over your fingers or you end up with fingerprints all over the mirror.

When this happens use a razor blade to scrape it off
 

Once the mirror had dried, I attached the chicken wire using my staple gun.

 

Love this thing!
It hooks up to air compressor and never gives me any trouble

 

All that was to hang it up and enjoy it. Which is exactly what I did!

 

Sorry for the clutter in the mirror, just keeping it real


 

This is definitely my favorite window redo so far! What do you think?

A new use for a old window

 

I needed a gift for a yankee swap with my friends. There was a limit of $20 for the gift. I was having a hard time coming up with a gift for that amount. I did not want to do a gift certificate and I wanted it to be something special. So after I got the ok, I went the handmade gift route.

 

I had recently repurposed an old window into a chalkboard for a local auction. There was a lot of interest in it, so I decided to make another version for the yankee swap.

The one for the local auction


I had seen this pin on Pinterest. I really liked it and knew I wanted to do it. I stopped at my favorite antique/jack of all store (Jellison Trader's). They didn't have the window I was looking for out on the sales floor. Luckily, I asked and after a trip to their storage barn (felt like I belonged on American Pickers) I found two of these beauties.

 

 

The windows still had the glass in them when I picked them out . I had my car that day and the windows would not fit. So we left them outside at the store until I could get the truck. In the process there was a big wind storm which knocked the windows over, breaking the glass (thank you mother nature).

 

To prepare the frame, I removed the small pieces of glass and sanded the rough spots. Once that was done, I was ready to start the transformation. I purchased the chalkboard at Home Depot. It's 1/4inch thick and comes in a panel (I just can not remember the exact size). Using the table saw, I cut it down to fit one panel. Using my staple gun, I attached both the chalkboard and chicken wire.

 

I also attached a thin strip of wood over the edges of the chicken wire to prevent it from scratching the wall

Once I had it all together I added to hooks for hanging. I also added a few clothespins for hanging either pictures or notes.

 

 

 Like the one I made for the auction, it was a success!  My friends loved it!!! In fact we even decided next year that all the gifts are going to be handmade.