Ugly plastic mirror = DIY bulletin board
![after-ugly-plastic-mirror-cork-board-crafty-nest Bulletin board mode from an oval mirror frame, photo](https://i0.wp.com/www.craftynest.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/after-ugly-plastic-mirror-cork-board-crafty-nest-scaled.jpg?resize=1200%2C900&ssl=1)
One of my friends referred to this as the “ugly mirror.” Another friend said, “Whatever you paid for it, you paid too much.” I get more excited about a project when I hear comments like that because I think, “Just wait till they see what I do with it. Mwahaha!” For the record, I paid $9 for this plastic thrift-store find. I used leftover materials from three previous projects: shuttered bulletin board, spa slippers, and pants-hanger frames. I only had to buy fabric, paint, and ribbon. Now I just need to find a use for a chipped oval mirror. (This post contains affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something, I may earn a small commission. You can read my full disclosure here.)
![before-ugly-plastic-mirror-cork-board-crafty-nest The thrift store plastic mirror, photo](https://i0.wp.com/www.craftynest.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/before-ugly-plastic-mirror-cork-board-crafty-nest-scaled.jpg?resize=1200%2C1600&ssl=1)
How to make a framed bulletin board
SUPPLIES
TOOLS
INSTRUCTIONS
![trace-mirror-ugly-plastic-mirror-cork-board-crafty-nest Trace the mirror onto homasote board, photo](https://i0.wp.com/www.craftynest.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/trace-mirror-ugly-plastic-mirror-cork-board-crafty-nest.jpg?resize=500%2C375&ssl=1)
1. First disassemble the frame or mirror. Using a marker, trace the mirror onto the homasote board.
![cut-homasote-ugly-plastic-mirror-cork-board-crafty-nest Cut out the homasote, photo](https://i0.wp.com/www.craftynest.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/cut-homasote-ugly-plastic-mirror-cork-board-crafty-nest.jpg?resize=500%2C372&ssl=1)
2. Cut it out using a coping saw. Homasote is basically pressed paper, so it’s easy to cut. It just makes a bit of a mess.
![paint-ugly-plastic-mirror-cork-board-crafty-nest Screw together the corners while clamped, photo](https://i0.wp.com/www.craftynest.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/paint-ugly-plastic-mirror-cork-board-crafty-nest.jpg?resize=500%2C375&ssl=1)
3. Clean the frame free of dust. Cover your work surface and spray on the paint. It will take a few coats from several angles to cover something as ornate as this. Let dry several hours.
![cut-fabric-ugly-plastic-mirror-cork-board-crafty-nest Cut out the batting, photo](https://i0.wp.com/www.craftynest.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/cut-fabric-ugly-plastic-mirror-cork-board-crafty-nest.jpg?resize=500%2C375&ssl=1)
4. Trace the mirror onto the batting and cut out. Sandwich the batting between the homasote and fabric, lining up the edges.
![staple-ugly-plastic-mirror-cork-board-crafty-nest Staple the fabric, photo](https://i0.wp.com/www.craftynest.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/staple-ugly-plastic-mirror-cork-board-crafty-nest.jpg?resize=500%2C375&ssl=1)
5. Pull the fabric tight and staple once at each of the four “corners.” Then gather and staple the fabric in between. Trim excess fabric.
![assemble-ugly-plastic-mirror-cork-board-crafty-nest Reassemble the frame, photo](https://i0.wp.com/www.craftynest.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/assemble-ugly-plastic-mirror-cork-board-crafty-nest.jpg?resize=500%2C375&ssl=1)
6. Replace the back piece with screws. (I know that’s a funny looking screwdriver, but it works great. Hand-me-down from my dad.)
![ribbon-ugly-plastic-mirror-cork-board-crafty-nest Tie on the ribbon, photo](https://i0.wp.com/www.craftynest.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/ribbon-ugly-plastic-mirror-cork-board-crafty-nest.jpg?resize=500%2C375&ssl=1)
7. Tie one end of the ribbon around a screw on each side.
![tacks-ugly-plastic-mirror-cork-board-crafty-nest Use white furniture tacks for thumbtacks, photo](https://i0.wp.com/www.craftynest.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/tacks-ugly-plastic-mirror-cork-board-crafty-nest.jpg?resize=500%2C375&ssl=1)
8. For that extra touch, use white furniture tacks instead of thumb tacks. I love how tacks along with houndstooth fabric and puffy batting give it an upholstered look.
![knob-bolt-ugly-plastic-mirror-cork-board-crafty-nest Insert hanger bolt in drawer pull, photo](https://i0.wp.com/www.craftynest.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/knob-bolt-ugly-plastic-mirror-cork-board-crafty-nest.jpg?resize=500%2C667&ssl=1)
![knob-in-wall-ugly-plastic-mirror-cork-board-crafty-nest Screw hanger bolt into wall, photo](https://i0.wp.com/www.craftynest.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/knob-in-wall-ugly-plastic-mirror-cork-board-crafty-nest.jpg?resize=500%2C667&ssl=1)
9. Remove the screw from the drawer pull and replace it with the hanger bolt. Screw it in as tightly as you can. Drill a hole in the wall and screw in your picture hanger. If your pin board is heavy, you’ll need to screw the picture hanger into a stud or use a molly bolt.
10. Hang the ribbon from the picture hanger, and pin up your favorite ephemera.
![pinterest-ugly-plastic-mirror-cork-board-crafty-nest Crafty Nest ugly plastic mirror cork board Pinterest image](https://i0.wp.com/www.craftynest.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/pinterest-ugly-plastic-mirror-cork-board-crafty-nest.jpg?resize=600%2C900&ssl=1)
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Made this project? Email your photo(s) to monica (at) craftynest (dot) com, and I’ll share your version here!
![cats-after-ugly-plastic-mirror-cork-board-crafty-nest Cat's bulletin board, photo](https://i0.wp.com/www.craftynest.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/cats-after-ugly-plastic-mirror-cork-board-crafty-nest.jpg?resize=500%2C668&ssl=1)
![cats-before-ugly-plastic-mirror-cork-board-crafty-nest Cat's mirror before, photo](https://i0.wp.com/www.craftynest.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/cats-before-ugly-plastic-mirror-cork-board-crafty-nest.jpg?resize=500%2C665&ssl=1)
Cat made this bulletin board out of an oval mirror. Looks great, Cat!
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