How to make a photo frame with your own hands: ideas and instructions.
We start with the basics: which material to choose
In any needlework, first of all, you need to decide what materials and tools you will need. Creating a photo frame is no exception. First, evaluate the scale of the upcoming work. The size of the photo is of great importance. In order for the frame to withstand a large picture, you need to make it strong, reliable. These criteria are typical for wood, gypsum, foam.
If the picture is small, then a frame made of paper or cardboard will do. Also, the material depends on the subject of the photo, on the overall interior of the room. The shape of the frame is not limited to a rectangle. You can make it square or round, oval or polygonal. Just keep in mind that the picture will have to be trimmed or crumpled under a non-standard shape. If you have a photo in a single copy, choose a classic rectangle.
Paperboard
Let’s start with the simplest option. And although even a child can cope with the creation of such a frame, it turns out to be quite strong. The main thing is to take a thick cardboard. Armed with a ruler and pencil, draw a contour on the cardboard.
ADVICE! The external size of the blank must exceed the size of the photo by at least 3 centimeters on all sides. And the inner one, on the contrary, should be smaller than the picture by 5-10 mm along the perimeter.
Cut out the blank along the contour. On the wrong side of the frame, glue the back wall cut out of the same cardboard or paper. Remember that one part must remain unglued so that you can insert the picture into the frame. If you plan to put the photo on the shelf, make a leg support. To hang a picture on the wall, you need a loop.
The main advantage of a cardboard frame is that it is easy to make it of any shape, even the most bizarre. You can also decorate it as you like (we’ll talk about this later).
Tree
In terms of reliability and strength, cardboard loses to wood. If you have the opportunity to make a wooden frame, be sure to use it. The blank is made of four slats. It is necessary to fold them in the form of a rectangle and glue the joints with a hot glue gun. In this case, the slats are superimposed on one another.
An option for those who are not looking for easy ways: cut the edges of the slats at an angle of 45 degrees, and then glue. It’s easy to guess that the frame will turn out to be either rectangular or square. It is very difficult to lay out an oval and a circle of slats.
ON A NOTE! Wooden sticks, slats, slats need to be sanded and varnished or painted. This way they will look neater and less likely that you will drive a splinter into your finger when you take the frame in your hands.
As in the case of a cardboard frame, a rectangle of thick paper should be glued to the reverse side. If you want the frame to be exactly wooden, but you don’t want to mess with wood (sawing, grinding), you can take ice cream sticks.
Salted dough
A more labor-intensive, but interesting option. First, knead the dough: half a cup of water and the same amount of salt for a glass of flour. To prevent the dough from sticking to your hands and getting elastic, add 50 ml of vegetable oil to it.
Roll up the ball, cover with a towel or cloth napkin and leave for a couple of hours. Then mold a frame of the desired shape and size from the dough, dry it in the oven at a temperature of 100 degrees. To make the product dry evenly, turn it over periodically. When the frame is completely dry and cool, you can proceed to the decoration.
Ideas for decorating homemade photo frames
The imagination of needlewomen has no boundaries, so the most unpredictable materials are often used. Fans of eco-style do not need to go to the store, everything you need is literally under your feet. For example, you can arrange a frame with twigs and twigs. They are fixed together with glue, wrapped with rope or glued to the base (most often made of cardboard). In order for the material to retain its natural texture, it should be covered with a colorless varnish.
Twigs are not the only material that nature gives. Do you live near the beach? Somehow go there for a walk and at the same time collect beautiful shells, pebbles, small pebbles. This is all suitable for the decor of a photo frame. Stick the elements on the base in any order, or sorted by size. Such a frame will not only complement the interior, but also remind you of warm sunny summer days.
If there is no beach nearby, it does not matter. You can decorate the frame with other gifts of nature: nut shells, acorns, chestnuts, dried berries, flowers, small leaves. And even what you usually throw away can go into action. For example, eggshells. Chop it, glue it to the base of the photo frame and color it. What about the “edible” frame? Of course not literally. Cover the base with a layer of glue and sprinkle any cereal, peas or coffee beans on top.
The frames decorated with buttons, small pencils, beads, sequins, wine corks, coins look cute and cute.
Decoupage-style decoration
A very popular type of needlework, which is suitable for decorating various interior elements, including photo frames. Pick up a paper napkin with a suitable beautiful pattern.
Paint the blank for the frame on the front side with white paint. Cut out the patterns from the napkin, attach them to the base. Type a little glue on the brush and gently swipe on the napkin. Make sure that there are no air bubbles left on it. When the paper is dry, cover the frame with varnish.
A variant of the decor from old newspapers and magazines
Newspapers, magazines, advertising booklets and other paper products that you do not need, cut into strips. You will need quite a lot of them, so be prepared that the process will take a lot of time.
Take a sushi stick or a knitting needle and wind each strip on it in turn. Seal the edges of the paper so that the resulting tubes do not unwind. Think over the location of the tubes based on the frame: horizontally, vertically, diagonally, etc. Glue them with a glue gun.
Mosaic decor from CD-ROMs
The beauty of the discs is that they shimmer, shine, reflect sunlight. Photo frames decorated in this way look vintage and very unusual. It is necessary to break several disks into small pieces and glue the resulting fragments to the base. To prevent the gaps between the pieces of discs from looking boring and ugly, they need to be painted with acrylic paint. At the end, the frame is covered with a colorless varnish, they wait for complete drying and insert a photo into it.
Creating a homemade frame is a simple process, but very exciting and interesting. You just need to allocate a little time for this and find ideas for inspiration. Materials for decoration will surely be found at your home. If not, go outside, collect twigs, pebbles, shells and everything you can decorate a photo frame with. The main thing is to want! And everything will work out for you.
