If you like taking mirror selfies, these gorgeous, uniquely shaped mirrors by the Bad Glass Shop will step up your game.
Rachel Burnstein, the artist behind these stained glass mirrors, originally studied weaving and sculpture at the California College of the Arts in Oakland. Before founding the Bad Glass Shop in 2020, Burnstein had never worked with stained glass before – but in 2019, she decided to take a break from the loom and explore new forms of material expression.
Let us know in the comments below what you think about Rachel's mirrors.
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Bored Panda got in touch with the artist to learn more about Rachael and her artwork. We asked Rachael how she came up with the idea to create these uniquely shaped mirrors. She wrote: “I made my first mirror in late 2020 based off a super shiny super pink, and super wavy vintage clock I got at a flea market. I loved the shape and surrealistic qualities of it, but wanted it to be more reflective: thus the first mirror was born.”
“I’m inspired by nature, psychedelia, surrealism, vintage objects, and architecture.”
To make such intricate designs, Rachael takes her time. “Each piece can take weeks to months! Depends on size, amount of pieces involved, and workload,” wrote Rachael.
Creating such unusual artwork led her to receive some unusual requests. Rachael wrote: “I only turn work down that I don't feel fits my aesthetic or feels like a repeat. Luckily, each sheet of stained glass is unique, so copies really don't ever get made.”
Rachael was always drawn to art, though glass and mirrors were not her first option. “I went to a few different art schools, both SAIC and CCA, and I studied textiles and sculpture. In college, I experimented with a mirror but never expected to pick it up a decade later as my primary medium,” wrote Rachael.
Nowadays, she feels happy to decorate strangers’ homes with her unique mirrors. “It feels fantastic! I love being able to share what I create with my community and beyond.”
Besides making artwork to buy, Rachael has had an exhibition of her mirrors. She wrote: “I just did a large mirror installation for The Other Art Fair that was held in April of this year (2023). Loved being able to create a piece intended to be interacted with by hundreds of people.”And lastly, Rachael shared her dreams: “I’d love to do a glass residency where I learn and collaborate to make custom sheets of stained glass. It’s extremely intensive, but I’d love to try it. Would also be interested to check out in person how mirrors are made!”
I love these -- they remind me of church windows, but the stained glass is on the border!
I love it but makes the room feel cartoon-y, I'm feeling SpongeBob vibes
I love it but makes the room feel cartoon-y, I'm feeling SpongeBob vibes