It’s Time to Reflect (Light Mobiles for Your Home and Garden)

Email Page

Print Page

Mary Moore

Extras

Add Photo to Journal

Photo Credit: Mary Moore

With or without mirrors, a light mobile beautifully reflects sun or candlelight in the garden.

One of my friends transformed her back yard into a lovely sanctuary. On a previous visit, she showed me a beautiful mobile of mirrors hanging from under a canopy of trees. As the evening sun was setting and she lit candles, the mobile sparkled, reflecting beams of light all over her deck. It was amazing.

She taught me how to make my own, and while it took a few attempts to get it right, this mobile project turned out to be much easier than I had expected. If you’d like to add a little extra light to your life (and garden), just pick up a few items at your local craft store and try it yourself.

Materials

Top for mobile

1 package 24 1-inch craft mirrors

18 beads or crystals

Soft monofilament line

Rubber cement

Gorilla® Glue (all-purpose wood glue for indoor and outdoor use)

Craft paper

Packing tape (or other easily removable tape)

Add Photo to Journal

Photo Credit: Mary Moore

Make sure you have all of the major supplies you need before you start: microfilament line, beads or crystals, mirrors, a top for the mobile and glue. (For this project, I used the top of an old wind chime because it had a loop for hanging and holes already drilled along the side.)

Directions

Start by selecting a top for your mobile. What you use is up to you, just be sure it can support several lightweight strands of mirrors and beads. (For this design, your mobile top needs 6 holes to thread microfilament line through.) Some top ideas include a plate with holes along the edges and in the middle, the top of an old wind chime or a block of wood with holes drilled around the edges. Whatever type of top you choose, make sure it’s large enough that the beads or mirrors don’t knock into each other and that there’s a loop at the top so you can hang your mobile from a hook.

Gather the rest of your materials and spread craft paper over your working surface. (This will protect your table or counter from the Gorilla Glue.) Place smaller items in cups to keep from losing them. Examine mirrors and beads/crystals for chips and replace any damaged ones.

Warnings

Always read the warning labels on glue to the determine ventilation needs and if you should be wearing gloves when using it. The glue I used (Gorilla® Glue) holds mirrors very well, but it’s tough to remove from your hands. The product also expands as it dries, so you only need to use a little dab on the mirrors.

Tips

You can buy most of the materials needed for this project at craft stores. (To save more money at the craft store, look for frequent coupons in your local paper, and don’t forget to check out the store’s clearance section for unique beads.)
Light mobiles can be hung inside by a window, as well as outside. If you plan on leaving your mobile out in all weather conditions, consider making one with large acrylic transparent beads. Acrylic beads won’t break if they hit against each other in a sudden storm, and they can handle rain as well. (Place a heavier object or bead on the end of each line to minimize movement and reduce tangling.)

Faqs

Q: What’s monofilament line?
A: Monofilament line is sold inexpensively as fishing line, and it’s available in different weights. (You can also find it at your local sporting goods store.) Use one of the heavier line weights if you’re using stones or heavy beads for your mobile.
Q: Is this a good project to do with the kids?
A: Yes – but not with small children. Remember that you’re dealing with fine microfilament line, beads, mirrors and super-sticky glue, so little hands can get easily get frustrated. And no matter how old your children or grandchildren are, make sure they’re properly supervised by an adult.

Page 1 of 3

Next Steps

Articles

Accessorize! (Dressing up Your Garden)
Plants aren’t the only things that make a garden great. Garden accessories bring a touch of whimsy and add continued interest to the yard when plants can’t show off their best features.
Junk Jewels in the Garden
Junkyards beware! Creative gardeners looking to dress up their yards with more than just plants are on the lookout for objets d’art! Here are a few tips to help the inner artist in you get started.
Window Art That Takes Root
It’s time to get crafty. The window rooter adds a new dimension to windowsill gardening – propagation! Create a custom piece of art that decorates your window and promotes new plants from vegetative cuttings. It’s fun. It’s inexpensive. And it gives you another location to garden!

RATE THIS PAGE

On average this item has been rated a 5 out of 5.