how to hang a heavy mirror.

By on March 23rd, 2009

I live in a house that is over 100 years old it was built around 1880 and live in what i believe would have used to be a very large attic. The walls are painted and the plaster/ insulation or whatever seems to contain horse hair or hair of some sort. The walls seem to be constructed with thin wooden slats. I have been able to hang a few pieces of light weight art with no problem but plan on hanging a heavy mirror, about 10 pounds i think, on a wall in my kitchen. The mirror is framed by wood and the back of the mirror has brown paper backing that is stapled shut. There is a very secure wire that runs across the back of the mirror, which is a little higher than centered that is pulled tight. I have tried to hang the mirror using several nails and hooks all leveled and hung from the various even places along the wire, however the mirror weighs them down and they are not sturdily in the wall and unsecure. The mirror will also be on the wall right next to my back porch door which is relatively heavy and glass and there is also an older screen door that sometimes slams, as my dog sometimes like to push his nose against it to try and open it but never succeeds. Anyhow, I’d like to try and figure out some way to hang it there yet have no idea how to do so. I have basic tools like a level, a hammer, screw driver, nails, etc, but not a power drill but i could definitely borrow one if needed. I will go to the store and purchase the supplies I need if you can tell me in some detail how to hang this mirror as I am slightly home-improvement dumb. full points for best answer