Explain to the students the tooling foil process and show a sample tin framed mirror. Provide the students with a brief history of framing with metal. This is called an anticipatory set for educators in the art classroom.
Model the process and the desired results so the students have a general idea how to proceed with the project.
Give each student a 7-inch square of tooling foil, ruler, permanent marker, craft knife and an old magazine.
Instruct the students to center and draw a 5-inch square in the center of the 7-inch piece of tooling foil.
Instruct the students to cut the 5-inch square from the center of the tooling foil using an old magazine as the base and a craft knife to cut through the tooling foil.
Ask the students to measure and draw a 1/2-inch frame around the outer edge of the square. This area is used to hold the mirror to the tooling foil.
Allow the students to use the tooling foil tools to press designs in the tooling foil. Instruct the students that the design must be made from the 1/2-inch frame line to the center 5-inch cut out square. Designs include flowers, vines, initials and so on.
Instruct the students to turn their completed frame over so the front of the frame is facing down. Ask the students to center the 6-inch mirror on the back of the frame lining the outside edges of the mirror up with the drawn 1/2-inch frame.
Instruct the students to fold the four 1/2-inch edges of tooling foil over the edges of the mirror. Ask the students to press the folded edge down firmly on the back of the mirror.