How to Make Disco Mirror Ball Shoes DIY Tutorial

Disco Mirror Ball! Ever been to a club, dance hall or school dance and just thought "I totally need a disco ball!"? No, just me?

Turns out that mirror tiles belong on everything from the dance floor to shoes!

It's easy to create some dance club worthy footwear using mirror tiles and the familiar swirl pattern of a disco mirror ball.

Make disco ball shoes easily with just a couple supplies and a lot of time--the perfect mirror mirror foot wear.

But be warned, disco mirrors on short boots take forever.

This craft is tedious and long--it cannot be an urgent order--maybe pick some open square toe heels to start--they will be much faster.

Proceed with caution--prepare for working a long time.

You have been warned.

No, really. I wanted to hire out the second shoe. 

The first shoe took me 4 hours and 15 minutes to completely cover in mirror tiles...but it felt much longer.

Thankfully because I got the pattern hashed out on the first shoe, the second one only took me 3 hours and 45 minutes.

Still, so long.

Also, I destroyed my fingernails in the process too from all the sticker peeling, gluing and separating of tiles.

But these disco ball overshoes baddies are worth the 8 hours of my life.

Look at that sparkle and shine--the visual effects are on point!

Supplies Needed to Make Disco Ball Shoes:

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• Old Shoes in need of upcycling (make sure they are comfortable shoes)
• Mirror Tiles (I used about half of these--and still have tons for other projects)
• Beacon Adhesives Gem Tac
• Cricut Hand Tools (I used the hook and spatula to move tiles around)
• Time, lots of time...maybe an audio book or a long podcast

Disco mirrors are awesome for all kinds of crafts, mirror shoes are just the beginning! You could use acrylic mirror tiles instead of glass so you don't end up with broken glass shoes if you know you'll be dancing or wearing them a lot. (I'm old so mine get minimal wear)

Step 1: Old Shoes

Find a pair of good quality shoes that you love the way they look but they are in need of an uplift.

I had these old fashion booties in the closet and the olive green suede was just something I never picked to wear but the actual finished color is just reflective mirrors so the base color really doesn't matter.

I love upcycling shoes, so I new I would find the perfect project for these shoes eventually.

Sure enough, when inspiration struck, these were waiting for me and the disco mirrors arrived in 2 days.

Step 2: Disco Ball Toe!

The beauty of these disco ball shoes, even though it does take longer than running straight lines, is the homage to the disco ball itself.

Begin at the big toe area of the shoe and apply some Gem Tac in a circular pattern.

Peel off individual mirror tiles and place them in a circle going out from the toe.

This truly makes the disco ball vibe with their stunning light effect!

Now the instructions are a bit like the project itself...monotonous.

It's really quite simple, just keep gluing down mirror tiles. I broke this process up into a few different sessions. Again, shoes of various sizes will take more or less time.

The mirror tiles have a sticker backing on them, but I found that I was peeling them off individually that I needed real adhesive that I knew wasn't going anywhere.

I followed the seamlines and the shape of my shoes as to where I placed the mirror tiles.

The big patches of flat shoe are the best because you can add the mirror tiles on the shoe by chunks and rows instead of each little individual 5mm mirror tile.

Even as I work, I can see the sunshining in on those shoes and making them dance all around the room!

The visual component is worth the work!

I broke up the gluing phase over the course of a few days...this is a great indoor craft project for bad weather days.

It was just too boring to do all in one sitting.

The heel of the diy disco shoes was a little tricky.

The sides were very even right up to the back.

Then I just wedged in the difference right down the center of the heel.

Step 3: Disco Ball Sides!

I wanted to recreate the circular pattern from the toe on both sides of the shoe.

This again was a little more tedious, but I was all in at this point.

The best part is that there is light at the end of the tunnel...and it's disco ball mirror glitter shoes light!

Again, just following the seams and lines of the shoe and fitting all those mirror tiles in place, don't worry about small gaps.

**Note: On this final day of mirror tile setting, I was wearing my Heman and the Masters of the Universe shirt...so the reflections on the shoe mirrors are very vivid compared to my normal black clothes wearing heart.

Finally. One shoe done. (lol, time of production 4-6 weeks)

I had renewed courage--kind of. I let shoe number 2 sit on the table for at least a week or two before even attempting to start.

Step 4: Second Disco Ball Shoe:

And then, like magic--or like the glimmer of sunshine on a disco ball shoe--I got the courage to sit down and finish the second shoe all in one sitting!

I worked so hard, starting right after lunch and finishing just in time so I could make dinner for everyone. Yay!

Seriously, my life is frantically trying to craft between making meals.

Repeat the mirror gluing process in the "mirrored" direction for the other shoe. Use the first shoe as a reference and it will go much faster.

**Also note: This is legit sun flare. and I absolutely love it.

Step 5: Drying

Whether you take days to finish tiling your mirror ball shoes...or if you finish them in one sitting...you'll need to let the glue dry completely.

I took some sunshiny pictures and then let these bad boys rest all night long to let the glue dry completely.

They have a smooth surface, but I am still careful not to touch the edges of the tiles, as they could give a little glass cut.

Just to recap on the mirror tile situation.

I used less than half of the box of mirror tiles.

I can now mirror tile all the things.

Preferably things that are flat, no curves and small...so I can just peel off sheets of mirror stickers and apply them quickly.

Other fun things to disco ballify: cowboy hat, piano, picture frame, serving tray, cell phone case--maybe...these do have sharp edges, home decor items, disco ball clothing and more!

PRO TIP: You can change the color of the mirror tiles using Alcohol Ink and a make up applicator. Perfect for different color jewel details.

Step 6: Laces

After a good night sleep, dreaming of disco dancing to my favorite Gloria Gaynor song "I will Survive", I was ready to finish these disco ball shoes off.

They had tie on laces previous to my mirror tiling.

I decided to just finish them off with elastic lace--the best part is the ease of slipping them on and off!

It's seriously all I use on shoes.
Since I was a little girl, like 20 years ago!
I simply remove all shoe laces and add elastic.
This way every shoe is a "slip on" shoe.
It's why I never taught my kids to tie their shoes.
Seriously. 

So if you need to add the laces back in, do it now.

Then put on the shoes and start dancing!

It took all the strength I had not to fall apart.

These shoes.
I love them...made them for personal use only. I would not make these different people--even with service fees.

I wore them out to church, so for 2 hours. I did have one mirror tile pop off the seam edge, but that was easily fixed at home. I've worn them in a few different conditions and usually lose a mirror tile or two. Keep some mirrors on hand in case of breakage or missing tiles. 

Did I received compliments on these shoes?
Oh yes I did!

So many compliments. Grown men loved them. Little kids loved them. Other women loved them too!
These are a conversation piece.

These disco ball queen shoes are not for the faint hearted--mirror glitter footwear demands attention.

They would be awesome with a whole mirror outfit!

I just really need to wear them to a club with lights--these example pictures barely do them justice.
They need a photo session all to themselves. For illustration purposes, they would look amazing with laser projectors aimed at them. 

Phew, that's it!

I hope I have inspired you to make some show stopping disco ball shoes--at least show you what it takes to make some and inspire you to add mirror tiles to something fun!

These shoes seriously rock!

If you end up making some disco ball shoes, heels or disco ball booties, let me know! Post a picture and tag me in it!

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