artful thursdays #20....framing tutorial

last thursday was our last day of school and my daughters sweet 16 bash...the day was so full of celebrations and fun. it really feels like summer this week. i am back riding my bike up the canyon in the mornings and the kids got the slip and slide out,
i am in my studio working on some art nest goodies getting ready for the retreat in two weeks. its wonderful...

today for my artful thursdays tutorial i wanted to show how to recycle old frames to hang art throughout your house. i like to buy old frames at thrift stores, usually for less than a dollar each. i want to have frames filled with my kids art all around the house. this is my daughters 2nd grade self portrait that hung outside her class for parent teacher conference.

choosing one color to paint several frames unifies them when they are hung together. black is a classic. try using a flat black paint with a matte clear coat for the finish. cream is also a great basic, or go for a whole collection of red frames to make a bold statement.


step #1. remove the backing from the old frame and take out the cardboard and the glass.


step #2. lay the empty frame on an old piece of posterboard outside in the shade. choose a warm day without any wind. the heavy weight posterboard works better than newspaper or plastic, it always seem to blow up and get stuck to the drying paint. spray the back of the frame first. let it dry then spray on a thin coat of paint to the front of the frame.


step #3. spray on a second coat of paint. make sure you move around the frame and spray from every angle to get paint in all the recessed areas. let the paint dry completely. spray on a clear coat to finish.

step #4. replace the glass if you are using it and layer in the backing pieces and close the back of the frame by bending in the metal tabs or staples.

i like to use repurposed frames for little shadowboxes like these these little gold plastic frames that were painted blue and then wiped off some of the blue paint to expose the gold underneath.


here is my mom on a dancing day. i used tiny german dresden paper borders to frame the image.


frame a collection of buttons, stones, beach glass, or millinery flowers. use scrapbook papers, fabric, or wallpaper for an interesting pattern in the back of your frame. 'just sad' is my daughters watercolor painting with vintage lined paper in the background.


use a clip in a frame like this one to quickly change out pictures or tiny sketches. my son uses this frame to put in cool pictures of cars.

collect vintage frames with the same finish. the details on these frames are gorgeous.


take apart an old picture book that is damaged and frame your favorite illustrations. our kids bathroom has framed prints from the book 'Go. Dog, Go.'


frame your own art and hang it where everyone can enjoy it. change things up frequently and group several frames together for a greater impact.

before....


after.....

whatever you decide to frame, have fun.