craftgrrl | removing mirrors from make-up compacts

I've been googling all afternoon, and have not come up with anything. I was hoping one of you crafty grrls might have some experience with this.

I have a bunch of small(ish) mirrors that I have been trying to come up with an idea for. What I'd really like to do is just make one large mirror out of them. I think the different sizes and heights, along with the fact that some are beveled while others aren't, would make for an interesting (if not terrible usable) mirror.

However ... I have nowhere near enough to make the size I'm thinking of. But what I do have is a pile of old empty make-up compacts (pack-rat, anyone?) that all have mirrors just like what I need.

I have tried prying them out -- no good. too many of them break.

I tried hot water, in hopes of melting the glue enough. no good -- i have not been able to even so much as soften the glue, no matter how hot the water is.

So, does anyone have any experience with this? or any ideas that I haven't come up with yet? I'll be happy to share the pics once the project is complete. :-D