Past Blog Posts:



2 Projects like Night and Day from Nichola Battilana!

Filed under Featured Artwork, Filigree, Giveaways, Grimms' Fairy Tales, Nichola Battilana, Valentine's Day


Oh, that Nichola! She is so versatile! From a dark Magic Mirror on the Wall to some fun & silly pins for Valentine’s Day, she’s got it all covered! Let’s dive into the first project, the beautiful mirror shown at left:

Starting with the new Gothic Mirror With Drawer! Whether for a standing mirror in a dollhouse or a prop for a collaged scene, this can be decorated from Shabby Chic to dark and Gothic! (I’d say! I love how Nichola has transformed it, mainly via paint.)

The drawer has 2 pre-drilled holes for knobs. The mirror can swivel. (The mirror can be used upside down from the orientation in the photos.)

The finished size is approx. 6" tall x 3-7/8" wide x 1-3/4" deep. The oval in the center of the mirror is 2-1/4" wide x 3" tall.

From Nichola’s blog post:

You know the story, the Wicked Queen gazes into her magic mirror to ask “Who’s the fairest of them all?”

The idea of a magic mirror isn’t made up. They have a long history with documented usage as far back as 3000 B.C., and are found in both Western and Eastern cultures.

Mirror gazing is a method of ‘scrying’. It can be used for fortune telling, inspiration, spiritual guidance and prophecy. The viewer gazes into a reflective surface (like water, crystal balls, mirrors) and with focused meditation/trance interprets the visions or symbols that appear to them.

While the mirrors appear dark, and there is some fear that surrounds them, it is worth noting that there is also a belief that they can be protective, reflecting/deflecting evil or negativity.

Black volcanic glass called ‘obsidian’, is a traditional material used for scrying mirrors… but we can fudge our way around that. I simply cut a piece of Clear Plastic slightly larger than the frame opening. Make sure that the plastic is free from dust and coat ONE SIDE with black paint. You want complete coverage so you may need a second coat. Then glue into place with the UNPAINTED SIDE facing outwards. You should have a nice glossy surface for divination! Note: A piece of decorative paper on the back will protect the painted surface and look much neater.

Good tips on making that mirror! See more photos in Nichola’s blog post. And be sure to come back to enter today’s Giveaway — that includes EVERYTHING in Nichola’s supply list!
 

Next up: these fab, quick-and-easy pins! Nichola obviously had fun making lots of these pins. And check her blog post as she’s giving away a little collage sheet with images to use in the center 1″ circle!
 

Hooray for the Gothic Mirror Giveaway!

Yes, I said it! EVERYTHING in Nichola’s Magic Mirror on the Wall Supply List is included in today’s Giveaway!

I’m only highlighting 4 of the 7 spiffy items in the supply list/Giveway:
New Gothic Mirror With Drawer (well, of course!)
– Raw Brass Fancy Fleur de Lys (I spy 2 of them, above and below the mirror)
Round Brass Knobs – Set of 6
Tiny Mixed Size Flat-Back Pearls (a bit of paint and they’ve become metal studs)
 

Just click on this Supply List link for photos and links to everything in Nichola’s artwork, which is also all of the Giveaway items!

To enter the Gothic Mirror Giveaway drawing all you have to do is leave a comment BELOW on this blog post TODAY OR TOMORROW (the deadline is 11:59 pm PST, MONDAY, January 30, 2017)!

AND tell me: What will you make with your Gothic Mirror With Drawer?

Don’t forget to leave your (hello! correct) email address, too, so I can contact the winner; your email address does not need to be made public. Note: I’m offering free shipping, too, but only within the USA. International shipping will still apply.

Please be patient! Spammers try to post crap here a lot so comments are moderated. So if you don’t see your post in the comments section, be patient and check back in a few hours before re-posting it, please!

After midnight, I’ll randomly pick the winner (via Random.org). So check your mailbox on Thursday morning to see who won and for the next Giveaway and Newsletter!

Hey, who won the Pretty in Red Giveaway? That would be Arminta Miles! Congrats! Check your email for info.

  
Posted by Leslie, January 29th, 2017

46 responses to “2 Projects like Night and Day from Nichola Battilana!”

  1. I would love to win this I love the gothic mirror I would def try to make one thank you

  2. Nadine says:

    I would definitely go gothic!

  3. Laura says:

    Oh, pretty! I’d definitely add this to the occult bookshop.

  4. barb macaskill says:

    OMG!! This mirror kit is exactly what I have had in my head for a few weeks for a project I am working on!! THe drawer underneath the mirror is what had me stumped as I have been trying to figure out where the character I am making was going to enter the scene! You have solved that for me! THANK YOU!
    Would love to win this so that I can get started on it sooner than later!! Nicola is so talented and inspiring! I am always awed by her beautiful creations!
    if I am lucky enough to win this my email is: macaskillbarbara @yahoo .com
    Fingers crossed and Congratulations to Arminta on winning the last giveaway!!

  5. Anne says:

    It would be a great addition to my witch house

  6. Nancy Olsen says:

    Would love to make my own ‘scrying’/magic mirror. What an awesome design.

  7. Denise Bryant says:

    I would make something special in memory of my Mom. I’d tuck a few special trinkets into the drawer that I got from her.

  8. Celestine mararac says:

    Beautiful items. I want to try the flat backed pearls and send the mirror to a friend of mine who used to do magic spells

  9. Jessica says:

    I would make the Faery Queen’s Boudoir!

  10. Kim Rayko says:

    I can see a gothic ghost in my mirror. :o0
    Love this fab prize! So many possibilities

  11. Traci says:

    Love Nicola’s idea I would make it-love her mirror so spooky.

  12. Jennifer Jesson says:

    It is so lovely! I would want one for a follow house!

  13. Emily D says:

    I’d make that gothic mirror! love it!

  14. Kate says:

    Wow this is awesome! I would love to try the gothic mirror tutorial

  15. Holly M. says:

    Oh yes, a Scrying and meditation focal. This is a lovely kit with so many possibilities, but my heart is set on a Scrying focal.

  16. Jennie Ingram says:

    I’d love to do a fairy tale mirror! (A happy or a gothic one.)

  17. Jean Marmo says:

    Another so very creative project! This would be perfect for the new granddaughter we are expecting in April! I could make something delightful for her room!

  18. Jen R says:

    My witch needs her mirror, mirror lol.

  19. Wow! This is gorgeous. I have been wanting to make a scrying mirror and this kit is excellent!

  20. LeAnn says:

    I love Nichola’s mirror. I would
    make one like hers.

  21. Kathlene Ford-Walters says:

    I would do an altar that a soothsayer would use to see into the future.

  22. Barb j says:

    I love Nichola’s mirror and I would try to do it justice. I would give it my best shot!

  23. Cyndi K. says:

    Love this mirror. So many possibilities. I think I’d make a magical mirror with a witch’s face pushing through.

  24. Kat Cashwell says:

    Mirror mirror on the wall !!! Perfect for Snow White scene!

  25. Jo says:

    it’s beautiful! I would add some purple accents to it!

  26. Karen Mallory says:

    I love this mirror. So versatile! I think I would make a Steampunk mirror. I love Steampunk!

  27. Carmen says:

    The mirror! Absolutely!! You can’t use just any object to scry with…you don’t want to ‘see’ energy from the previous owner! So making one yourself is absolutely perfect…so I’d make the exact same mirror and make sure to include sandlewood for Venus and a feather from a bird’s wing in the drawer, This to encourage the goddess Nemesis to punish those that mean to wrong me!! Awesome job, Nichola!! Blessed Be.

  28. Carla says:

    This will update be perfect for Halloween!

  29. Barb A says:

    Love Nichola’s dark side! The mirror is fabulous.

  30. Marilyn Hughes says:

    Since it’s Mardi Gras season here, a Mardi Gras mirror!

  31. Mary Mac says:

    Mirror-Mirror on the wall, who’s the fairest of them all.

  32. Megan Warren says:

    I am in love with that gothic mirror. I would do the same thing with some sort of flower accents or maybe a scrying bowl as well. Great project.

  33. Thalia Kottke says:

    Who doesn’t need a magic mirror?

  34. Sylvia L. says:

    I see it as a Halloween item, with some sort of ghotsly figure reflected in it. I have to think about what would go in the drawer…Thanks for the opportunity to win such great supplies.

  35. Marykay chisum says:

    Alice through the looking glass! With a garden of flowers and the white rabbit !

  36. Stacy Blow says:

    I have a doll dio, a Paris apartment scene, and that mirror would fit in perfectly! The drawer beneath is the definite clincher and all the little metal touches are awesome! Great giveaway and inspiring project!

  37. Nancy E says:

    I’d make it a mirror for a blushing bride! I think it would be great to have as a centerpiece for a bridal shower!

  38. K Toews says:

    The mirror goes so well with the saying: Mirror mirror on the wall, I am my mother after all.

  39. I would put it on top of a vanity. Maybe paint it gold or silver.

  40. Laural says:

    SO MANY IDEAS BUT, BECAUSE Nichola HAD SUCH AN “OUT OF THE BOX’ idea I would have to try her version in perhaps 3D.

  41. Arminta Miles says:

    I like a Valentine theme with mirror.

  42. Michelle says:

    I would like to try an evil queen mirror with the face of the mirror 3d.

  43. Lana says:

    I would give this mirror a Marie Antoinette feel, pretty French blue with gold gilt highlights and a sheer ribbons on the drawer knobs. A decoupage bird on the drawer would just add to the beauty.

  44. I like the Valentine idea. My daughter’s nickname is “cupid” so maybe I’d incorporate that. I LOVE this giveaway!

  45. Peggy D says:

    As usual I can’t come up with anything original after seeing Nichola’s. I am sure I will though. Mirrors figure largely in myth and fairy tale from saving someone from the Gorgon’s stare to Evil Queens and their jealousy. I might do something more along the line of a Goblin King or even a St Pat’s day mirror in order to see the old country so green lol I know I love this mirror!!! Great piece and I love what she did with it.

  46. Iris says:

    I absolutely love this mirror, love the project Nichola prepared. I would make a retro futuristic steampunked mirror. For the actual mirror part I would use holographic or angelina paper and would be painted or tinted green (give it that green tesla light, liquidy feel). I would use metallic paints, faux rivets, screws, copper wire. Use Alpha Stamp’s paper gauges, chipboard light and metal gears.