Cheap and fun DYI: painting pocket mirrors
Painting pocket mirrors is my most recent nail polish project. After my workplace received a huge order of cheap pocket mirrors they did not ask for, it was decided that the best way to get rid of them was to give them away for free. Since there were so many, I decided to take a dozen home and see if I could customize them to my liking.
I realized that not only can I use these things as mini craft projects, I can also sell them. For very, very, cheap. My plan was to decorate these pocket mirrors and try to sell them at a few local shows. I sold a few and then my shyness got the better of me. The remaining mirrors have been living in my craft box ever since. Until now!
Yes, painting compact pocket mirrors. Why did I choose these? Well, aside from having a bunch of free ones at my disposal, I just thought it would be a fun little experiment, and it was. The mirrors I painted were round, always an interesting art apparatus. Much like painting Ringpops, but a little bit bigger. This is also a good beginner project because it is not as big and time consuming as a bottle, but doesn’t require smaller details like the rings.
Ok, you’ve finally chosen your paint for your DIY paint project. That’s just step one. Choosing the right paintbrushes and painting tools are as important as the right paint. This is not when you decide to balance the budget because you bought expensive paint. It really does make a difference what paint brush you use. A typical room project usually calls for a combination of brush and roller applications. Brushes are used to cut in along the edges, next to ceilings, baseboards, and moldings, where a roller can’t be used. Some surfaces are too small for even the smallest roller, and most importantly, paint needs to be carefully applied to trims, moldings, doors and windows. The idea in all of these situations is to apply the smoothest and least amount of paint to these surfaces, creating a smooth coating that covers the surface well, without drips, lumps or obvious lines. (Decorative effects are a whole other topic) You spent the money on good paint. Why muck it up with a cheap brush? There are three types of bristle brushes on the market, synthetic, natural and a combination of the two. Foam and other kinds of brushes and rollers will be discussed in another column. 
FINALLY got me some 
in need of acrylic paint and brushes
18 Fine Art Paint Brushes for Acrylic, Oil, Watercolors by Nicole 501% Sales Rank in Arts… 
Ideas on where to get cheap art supplies in Chicago? (acrylic paint, brushes, canvas, etc..)
Easter Bunnies and Eggs in Basket Canvas Painting Kit: Set includes 3 paint brushes, 6 tubes of acrylic paint, ... 
