Mexican Round Mirrors Art Project

This is an art project which was taught to several of the We Care Arts classes including Memory Units, Special Needs High Schools and Developmental Disabilities Centers. 

Mexican Round Mirrors is a mixed media project and a fun way to introduce students to Mexican designs, working in the round and metal embossing. A big thank you to Dynamic Senior Solutions in Beavercreek, Ohio Seniors and their Care Partners for the great art work!

The round design is drawn on a thicker paper, such as bristol board, tagboard or poster board. Find 3 circles that fit nicely with each other. You need 3 round objects such as plates or bowls in three sizes or use a compass. 

Trace around the three round shapes with a black Sharpie. In the center circle, write the words, "no color" in the smallest circle so the student will not make a design where the aluminum will be glued. The drawing of the circles was done by a We Care Arts Instructor beforehand, but older students could do it on their own.

Mexican designs can be found in textiles - clothing and molas and in mexican tile design. Samples of Mexican designs will help the students come up with their own.

In the first and second circle border, have the studet draw some 

 simple designs with black Sharpie.  More detailed black designs can be drawn now, or after the color is put in as is the next picture.

The colors used are bright and bold to mimic the feel of the Mexican designs. Use watercolor markers, such as Crayola brand to color the borders so the black line does not smear. Teach your students to use the side of the marker for faster coloring rather than using just the tip. The watercolor markers will not smear the black line design as permanent markers would.

 

 The center of the design is a round piece of 36 guage of alumminum. Trace the size of circe wanted on the alumunin with black Sharpie, then cut out with heavy duty scissors. 

With a sharpened dowel rod or a pencil draw a line design on the aluminum. Place the aluminum on a padded surface to achieve the embossing. Folded newspaper is a easy solution for the padding. The design can be embossed from the back, or just colored with the Sharpie colored markers.  Watercolor markers will just wipe off of the metal.

After both designs are done, use a hot glue with care to glue the metal circle to the base. Put the glue onto the poster board, then stick the metal circle to it. Quickly turn the whole circle over and press down. Be careful because the metal will get hot due to the hot glue applied.

Many of the artists chose to put their name of initial in the center.

These round Mexican "Mirrors" can be placed a wall for bright decoration.

Mod Podge Bottles

Do you have bottles left over from the holidays? A easy craft for snow days is to cover the bottles with paper and Mod Podge. Any glass bottle or container can be used.

 

Diane, one of We Care Art's instructors, created this craft with a memory group and special needs artists.

 

1. First, the label needs to be taken off. Soak your bottles in a sink of warm water with vinegar and baking powder added.

 

2. When the labels have softened - peel or scrape off the paper. The glue residue can be scrubbed off or left on.  It really will not show under the papers.

The top label of the bottle can be left on for color, or taken off with scissors. (It can be metal, so watch for sharp edges)

 

 

3. Using a foam brush, cover an area of the bottle with watered down Elmer's glue or Mod Podge. This will dry clear - The bottles in the pictures were still wet.

 

Your first layer can be tissue paper or decorative napkins (peel so the napkin is one ply). Repeat this step until the whole bottle is covered. Put a layer of the glue carefully over the first layer. If the tissue starts tearing, let it dry some.

 

4. Cut out some images that you like. These images were glossy and taken from a Victorian clip art book. It is nice to pick out a theme such as the flowers shown above or the animals shown below.

 

5. To add the pictures, brush a layer of the glue on the back of the picture and place it on the bottle. Place a layer of the glue on top of the pictures. You may have to hold the edges of the pictures flat for a few minutes to stick.

 

6. Keep adding the pictures until it is finished.

 

7. On the top neck, you can wrap ribbon, small pearls, raffia, yarn, sequins or anything that will stick. As in the first picture, a bow can be made for decoration.

 

8. Lights can be added to the inside of the bottle for a beautiful light. There are many examples on Pinterest.

 

9. When making this project with special needs, it is easier to use pieces of napkins or tissue around 3 - 4". This helps the artist to handle the tissue easier and allows the paper to be put on without the glue drying out.

 

10. This project can done within an hour if the labels are taken off ahead of time. Be sure to cover the tables and let the students wash their hands during the project if needed