Make a Faux Rock Mirror With Paper! Light & Strong!

I love nature and therefore I love stone and rock! Who knew that you can actually sculpt paper?! Yes; Paper Maché Clay is amazing! I've sculpted often with concrete and love it but I worry about the weight and concrete dust. I really wanted a fairly large mirror so paper as the base is great. Paper has opened a lot of possibilities since it readily available, often free, and has quite the strength when finished.

I like to use whatever I can find, what I already have or things that are getting thrown away!

Supplies:

1. Mirror - I used a large oval one (old or broken, can be cut) 28" x 36"
2. Toilet Paper (you can also use waste paper form egg cartons, carry trays, shredded paper)
3. Cornstarch
4. Drywall compound
5. Homemade Glue (cornstarch, flour, vinegar, sugar, water)
6. Styrofoam from packing
7. Hot glue
8. Stiff board (canvas board)
9. Masking tape
10. Acrylic paint
11. Acrylic Matt Medium

Make your own Glue:

It is very easy to make your own glue and it works great to lower the cost of making your own paper maché clay.

Homemade Glue Recipe;

1. 1 Cup cold water
2. 4 Tablespoons of White Flour
3. 2 Teaspoons of Cornstarch
4. 2 Teaspoons of sugar
5. 2 teaspoons of vinegar

Whisk together ingredients in a saucepan until there are no lumps. Once blended warm this flour mixture on medium heat (just to boil) & stir until thickened. Pour into a container and let cool.

Depending on your Mirror, design the rocks shapes and overall shape. Pinterest is a great reference. You can add the rock around the entire mirror so you can cut one if you like or even use a shape like this oval one from a thrift store.

1. 1 Cup of wetted toilet paper
2. 1 cup of Homemade glue (recipe above)
3. 1 cup of joint compound or drywall compound (for added strength and smoothness)
4. 1 cup of Cornstarch (more if needed)
5. 2 tablespoons of mineral oil or baby oil (optional, for a smoother texture)

Wet toilet paper in warm water and break apart. If you use other waste paper it may need to soak longer in hot water. You can use a blender with plenty of water if desired. Use a sieve and shear fabric to squeeze out of most of the water. (see video here)

Add glue to paper fibre and use a mixer to make well blended mixture. Add drywall compound and mix by hand. Add in cornstarch a little at a time. Once it comes together and not too wet store in the fridge to prevent mold.

Since there may be some stone outside the mirror shape attach some board pieces to incorporate the added shapes. To keep mirror protected and clean mask off the glass area.

This method is light weight so you can add a fair amount of extra bulk. Start to glue some the rocks shapes onto the board and mirror depending on your design. With a sharp xacto knife cut small shapes and glue (low temp) to build stone profile.

Time to add the outer layer of clay. To make adding a thin layer easier you can roll the clay between some cotton fabric sheets using a rolling pin. It should be about 1/8" (2-4mm) thick. (see video here) Smooth around the stone shapes and make a clean edge at glass. Wrap the clay around to the back. Manipulate until you feel the rocks look believable.

Use some rocks as reference if needed. They usually have some angular details and cracks. Don't try to have them too rounded and smooth, they are often pieces of a larger stone. Use some rough tools, palette knives or brush to make very fine detail texture. Let dry completely. Once dry it will be very strong. Test and fill any voids with clay if needed.

Using acrylic paint, you can paint a very thin base layer. Consider adding some warmth into the grey colour for realism. The paint will flow into the cracks and details

To accentuate any texture use the dry-brush technique with light colour or white.

Once satisfied with realism (fun to do) you can seal with some Matt Acrylic Medium

Attach a hanging wire on the back. Clean off the glass and remove tape.

Aren't you amazed that this can be done with almost no cost?! I now imagine more projects! Check out the miniature waterfall!

Have you seen my Faux Rock Waterfall made in a similar way... There's really to limit; "if you can dream it you can build it"! Happy Making!!!

For more tutorials of amazing Paper Maché Clay projects