- Use rows of decorative knobs, door stops or hooks to hang art. Apply directly to the wall surface or attach across a piece of painted molding or decorative ceiling tin. For example, locate three decorative knobs and a strip of trim molding (the flatter and less ornate, the easier to work with) about three feet in length---search home improvement, salvage or upscale design stores for these types of items. Paint and cut new trim (older trim may look fine in found condition), mark six inches in from each edge and attach a knob to each marked area. Locate the center point between the attached knobs and attach the third knob. Choose three pieces of art to hang that will fit within the confines of the mold and knobs without overlapping and attach a chain to the back of each for hanging. Hang the molding on the wall, and then hang a piece of art from each of the knobs---art can hang evenly across or at varied heights. Look for vintage items like insulators, sprinkler heads or pieces of ornate metal to use in place of modern items. Use ribbons, chains or colored wire in place of traditional picture wire to hang the art on the knob or hook.
- Work directly on the wall---attach found objects to the wall as art and place a frame around the objects. Found objects are a simple way to showcase favorite items, objects that inspire and have special meaning or objects that display a repetitive, interesting pattern or idea. For example, a purse found in a resale shop may be too worn to carry, but may have an interesting trim, exterior logo or other message. Attach it to the wall by nailing directly through its interior or using picture hangers or nails to hook the purse's hardware to the wall. Locate an ornate frame---new or recycled---and spray it a metallic gold or another appropriate color. Hang the frame on the wall with the purse centered inside. Use this idea to frame art on canvas, too.
- Create a larger piece by unifying many smaller pieces. This hanging technique works best with art created on gallery-wrapped art canvas without a frame. Start by collecting all the artwork together---artwork should be either square or rectangular and of varying sizes. Choose a central piece and lay it on a table top or floor, depending on the size of your canvases. Begin choosing other pieces, fitting them together like a giant puzzle by placing each one's edge against the edges of the central piece. Continue building outward until the artwork runs out or a desirable look is achieved. Snap a quick digital photo to work from, and then remove the central piece and hang it on the wall. Begin hanging the other pieces accordingly by using this simple method: place a piece against its neighbor by simply holding it in place against the wall. Mark its outer edge with a pencil, remove the piece, measure in from the pencil mark to find the center point and place a picture hanger or nail at the center point. Hang the piece and move to the next. Using framed pieces will make it difficult to get an overall flat appearance. Try beginning with the largest piece and arranging the others around it. For artwork hung with picture wire, tighten or shorten the wire to help flatten the work against the wall.
