‘Tis the season for fun art in the home.
We love providing our prints and a variety of our original art to our fabulous readers. And since the holidays are right around the corner, we thought it would be good to visit this subject matter again. Sometimes, people are hesitant to purchase something because they’re just not sure how it will be framed. Most people see dollar signs when it comes to all things framing, and while some of it can get pricey, we say it doesn’t have to be.
Over the years, we’ve loved sharing great, affordable solution on lots of levels for anyone who drops by our little corner of the www. And since we get quite a few questions on this subject matter, we thought it might be great to revisit this topic today: How to build a frame – The ultimate guide.
It’s been our biggest money saver over the years, and the quickest way that you can get a lot of bang for your buck in the DIY department, and a super custom look. Today, we wanted to talk about border frames since we’ve gotten quite a few questions about them recently, throughout our home. So if this is a replay for you, we hope you’re not bored, and we promise something fresh tomorrow. But if you’re new here, you may want to check it out.
From wrapped canvas to simple DIY art of your own… we’ve got all your one stop shop for all things how to’s and tutorials, right here.
The first one we’ll cover will be a simple canvas or MDF wrap frame. These are fairly simple frames, that can either be made with simple 90-degree angle cuts, or 45-degree miter cuts.
You can also choose to glue everything together, or simply use melding plates to secure them.
You can be a fancy woodworker or this can be the first time you pick up a saw, because it’s a great project for all skill levels.
Either way, you can add that extra something to your art. Clearly it’s one that we return to, time and time again.
Here’s the full how to here on how to build a simple border frame.
This one is a little bit of a “fancy pants” variation for a layering of sorts when it comes to all things frames. It adds another layer and pop of interest, if you will.
How to build a frame for a canvas:
This how to for building frames adds all things acrylic and matting with layers and everything:
Another {simpler version – we simply kept a solid background and added the poster on top} of it can be seen here + in the photo – one we built for sweet clients below
How to build a basic frame:
Handmade layered frames:
One of our fave projects ever – how to frame a cape – or anything else you’d like to showcase…
This DIY map: {and frame}
How to frame a mirror
Another side project here you may notice in their room: how to build a polaroid frame
An oldie but goodie: This gigantic polaroid collage – that I kind of miss.
How to spruce up a frame
a little more on frame flipping, here
Another {bonus} option: You can always add two pieces of stained wood to the top and bottom of one of our prints, or your own custom art, by following this tutorial here.
This art could also be turned into a frame – check it out here.
And you can always find more fun how tos in our book, Handmade Walls – {affiliate link} find our art books here.
As always, let us know if you try any of these! We’d love to hear.
And as always, be sure to check out our art, here!
Have an inspired day!
This is a very timely post I will definitely save. I love how the art in your home is big and personal, like the painting of your children jumping into the pool or the vintage vehicle in your son’s room. I don’t have your talent or skills but I always hear my mother saying “you’ll never know unless you try”. So, I painted a large canvas oil painting of strawberries in a bowl, and I think it turned out just as I imagined. This was completely inspired by your painting of the eggs in a nest. I loved the large, bold nature of that painting and decided to paint something like that for my home. But how to frame it without going into debt (plus I like the simple look of the frames that let the painting take center stage). Thanks for the inspiration and sharing the skills to complete the look.
I love this Celeste! SO so glad you can use our tutorial and I’m so excited for you and your amazing creations! Thank you so much for letting us know! LOVE.
Thank you SO much for putting all of these into one post! I am wondering… for the big simple border frame, how do you get your art on a flat board? I’m really hoping to get some BIG prints and frame them just like that. Love it!
Hey, Jenny.
If I am following your question correctly they are just mounted straight to the board, either with double-sided tape or hot glue. I hope that helps.
Best,
Jamin