Columnists > Kelly Ann Butterbaugh > ArticlesJuly 09, 2010

By Kelly Ann Butterbaugh

A walk down the framing aisle of a department store reinforces the known expense of designer frames. Some small but beautiful frames costs $16 or more. However, they are easily made by both adults and children for minimal prices. The basic layout of the frame is tricky to make from scratch, but luckily plain frames are sold for $2. Purchase a basic frame at the store or a flea market and use its frame, hanger, and glass as the base for your new designer frame.

Naturally Beautiful

Try to bring some nature into your home with a frame. Children can collect non-perishable findings from the woods or yard, and with the help of a parent they can glue it to their frames.

Collect pieces of bark from a fallen tree and, using either hot glue or a thick craft glue, line the entire frame with it. Try either breaking it into smaller pieces or using larger ones to create two different looks. Then, add some other findings to a corner of the frame, making a corsage-like appearance. Add acorns and walnut shells, a small thick twig, or some pinecones to the collection.

Whether you're walking on the beach or rolling your pants up to walk in the stream, collect some small, smooth pebbles or small seashells. Then, create an entire frame of the stones and shells or decorate a plain frame with only a few of them. If you coat the frame in glue and then press it into some play sand, you'll have a nice beach scene on your frame.

After the spring storms have broken branches and scattered them around your yard, collect them while keeping an eye open for the perfect twigs to make a new picture frame. Break the twigs into the perfect length for your frame and glue them, side by side, over the entire frame. Either make the twigs follow the path of the frame or break them into tinier pieces and place them horizontally across the frame in an atomic clock style.

Feathery Fashion

With a bag of exotic bird feathers, a plain frame can become a fashion statement. Glue the feathers in an attractive pattern on your frame, following its original shape. Another option is to glue small feathers along the side and bottom of the frame and then add longer feathers to the top of the frame. Arrange them so they stick up like the fancy masks seen in costume stores and create an arched top to your frame.

Rag-Tag

Create a quilt pattern on your frame. First, cut some leftover fabrics into small one inch squares. Then, glue them onto the frame, overlapping them along the way. Try a formulated quilt pattern or a random crazy quilt pattern.

Nautically Knotted

Have an extra few feet of thick rope? Glue the rope in various fashions to the frame. Either follow the square path of the frame or swirl it around the edge. Add a few creative knots to the corners or at the base for visual interest.

If rope isn't your choice and ribbons give a more glamorous look that you love, try the same approach with scraps of satin ribbon.

About The Author:
Kelly Ann Butterbaugh is a freelance writer who regularly contributes to a variety of magazines and has written a history book for middle readers. Visit her website for writing help, lesson plans, history fun, or work for hire at http://www.kellybutterbaugh.com

Post Feedback

Read feedback for this post below.

• Pewter Photo Frames with Brown Walls
• Repairing Scratched Sunglass Frames
• Cleaning Picture Frames

• Crafts Using Old Windows
• Make Rustic Frames With Branches
• Western Decorations for Photo Frames