How to Make Picture Holders

Handmade photo holder is an easy-to-do craft for kids and adults.

Pictures of family and friends remind us of happy times. Picture holders can be bought in various shapes and sizes, well-suited for different occasions. But, making your own picture holder might make looking at the pictures more pleasurable. Alternatively, handmade picture holders make a good gift. The effort and thought that goes behind the photo holder might help you express your feelings better.

Things You'll Need

• Cardboard
• Scissors
• Photo
• Ruler
• Pencil
• Glue
• Fabric
• Sequins, ribbons or stickers
• Travel-size Bottle

Instructions

1. 

   Recycle a cereal or shoe box.

   Cut two pieces of cardboard from a cereal box, about two inches bigger on all sides than the picture you want to hold in it.

2. 

   Use a ruler to draw lines of the right size.

   Hold the photo in the center of one of the pieces of cardboard and draw along the photo's boundaries. This should give you a rectangle two inches smaller than the cardboard it is drawn on.

3. 

   Be careful while using the cutter.

   Cut along the lines of the rectangle, using a cutter or blade. This will form the front of the frame.

4. 

   Get creative and choose fabric of various colors and patterns.

   Cut strips of felt or any other fabric of your choice. The fabric should be cut one centimeter bigger on all sides than the cardboard front of the frame. Leave the rectangular hole open for the photo.

5. Stick the fabric on the rectangular front of the frame, but leave the extra fabric on the outer edge of the frame.

6. Stick the picture on the uncut cardboard. The picture should be in the center of the cardboard so that there are two inches of extra space on each side.

7. Stick the front of the frame on the picture, such that the picture shows off completely from the rectangular hole.

8. Fold the extra felt and stick it to the back of the picture holder. You may have to miter the fabric so it fits correctly.

9. 

   Decorate the face of the photo holder with sequins, stickers or ribbons.

   Use ribbon, glitter, stickers, stones, beads or sequins to decorate the front.

10. 

    Use a small bottle to make the holder stand upright.

    Use a travel-size bottle of shampoo or lotion or some other cosmetic to support the photo holder. Wash the bottle with soap and warm water. And lean the photo holder against the bottle so that it stands upright.

11. Stick the bottle to the back of the photo holder so that the base of the bottle and the photo frame are aligned to each other.

Tips & Warnings

• If your picture is 4 by 6 inches in size then the cardboard pieces should be 6 inches long and 8 inches wide.

• You can choose fabric of four different colors; one for each side of the frame or choose two colors; one each for the opposite sides.

• Cotton is usually easier to work with, whereas synthetic materials are not.

• Clip the photo holder to a tumbler or pen stand using a paper clip for a creative looking desk piece. You will not need a bottle to use as a stand.

• Cutting the cardboard or fabric too large or too small will adversely affect the end product.

Resources

• Tri Fold Picture Frame