Art Picture Framing Ideas

Basic frames leave room for creative decorating ideas.

People with a passion for photography and art can create their own craft projects to display pictures. Whether you like to buy, paint or take your own pictures, you can make framing your picture an enjoyable and fun time. Add your own personal touch to pictures by designing basic frames to display them in your home.

Borders

Inside your frame you can design a border to surround your picture. You can choose to draw a freehand border that correlates with the topic of the picture. You can also purchase papers already designed with themes. The border can fill all of the space between the picture and actual frame. Having a border will allow you to use a larger frame to display smaller photos. For larger frames, try to create a border to surround multiple pictures for a collage look.

Personalized Frame

Save money and express creativity by personalizing a frame yourself. Markers can be used to draw designs and write words on frames. You can choose to personalize the frame with the first and last names of the people who are shown in your picture. Other personalized frame ideas include writing the person's family role, such as mother or father; marking the special occasion, such as a birthday or wedding; writing the date the picture was taken or writing phrases about the connection of the people in the picture, like best friends or our family.

Paint

Choose a wooden or solid white colored frame to paint yourself. You can choose to paint it a solid color or multiple colors. Also, apply a base coat of paint and then paint a design on your frame. If you are very artistic, paint a detailed design. If you are less artistic, you can choose a simple picture such as a heart for a love theme. A wide frame will allow for a larger picture. Be sure to paint the front and back of the frame.

Child's Glitter Frame

Allow children to create their own frame for their special pictures. Use glitter and glue to design frames. Have children apply glue to the entire frame, and then sprinkle glitter over the frame. When dry, the frame will sparkle with the colors of glitter chosen. Encourage the children to display the frame in a common area of their home for others to see and admire. Designing a frame will give children a fun way to expand their creativity through art expression.

References

• Art in Action: Letters from the Executive Director

Resources

• Frames By Mail: Custom Wood Picture Frames » White Plain »