How to Craft Picture Frames

Make your own picture frames, especially for odd sized pictures.

Many families like to have pictures of their friends and family around the house. For some families, it is almost impossible to have too many picture frames. The problem comes when you want all of your picture frames to match, no matter what size they are. You can solve this problem by making your own picture frames. Use decorative molding as the actual frame and heavy cardboard for the backing.

Things You'll Need

• Measuring tape
• Decorative molding
• Miter saw
• Wood glue
• Staple gun
• Glass
• Paint or stain
• 2 screw eyes
• Framing wire
• Wire snips
• Router
• Glazier's points

Instructions

1. Measure the picture you want to frame or choose a standard measurement for a picture.

2. Measure your picture and and mark your molding accordingly. Remember to mark on what will be the inside of the frame.

3. Use the miter saw to cut your four molding pieces at 45 degree angles.

4. Place a bead of wood glue along one cut edge of one of the pieces of molding. Butt two of the molding pieces, with the right sides facing down, together to form a corner. Use the staple gun, filled with heavy-duty staples, to secure the corners together.

5. Repeat with the two remaining pieces of molding.

6. Fit the half-finished molding pieces together to form a square or a rectangle, using the wood glue and the staples.

7. Use the router to make a 1/4-inch lip to set the glass, picture and backing on.

8. Take your frame to the hardware store and order a piece of glass cut to the proper dimensions to fit your frame.

9. Paint or stain your picture frame as desired.

10. Install a screw eye on either side of the top of the frame.

11. Cut a length of wire that fits across the width of your picture frame, plus 6 inches. Wrap the ends of the wire in and around the screw eyes.

12. Use glazier's points (small metal triangles with sharp points that you push into the side wood of the frame) to hold the picture, the glass and the backing in place. Figure you will need at least two glazier's points per side of the frame, more if the frame is large.

Tips & Warnings

• Use more than one type of molding to give your frames depth and make them look interesting.

• Use a more expensive molding if you want to stain your frame. Use paint grade molding, which is cheaper, for frames that you want to paint.

References

• Ron Hazelton's House Calls: How to Build Your Own Picture Frame
• Knotty Plans: How to Make Your Own Custom Wooden Frames For Your Artwork, Portraits or Photographs