Magical Memories Photo Frame

Crafts from recycled materials help you save on supplies and cut down on waste. A Magical Memories Photo Frame is a great option for displaying old photos of loved ones. Grab an old wooden frame and some chicken wire for this unique piece. This is a quick and easy project that anyone can complete. Consider making a frame for yourself or giving it as a gift - this is a fantastic gift idea.


 

Materials:

• Wood frames
• Rusty chicken wire or baling wire
• Sandpaper
• Brass appliques (optional)
• Household cement
• White acrylic latex paint
• Paintbrush
• Wire cutters
• Staple gun
• Sawtooth picture hangers
• Hammer
• Clothespins

Instructions:

1. Clean your wood frame and remove any staples, nails or other hardware.
   
   
    
2. If your frame is plain, you may want to add a decorative element. I attached brass appliques to the front of the frame using household cement.
    
3. Dry brush the front and the back of the frame and over any decorative elements using white latex acrylic paint.
   
   
    

For the Chicken Wire Display:

1. Lay the frame on your work surface with the back facing up. Measure the width and length from an outside edge to an opposite outside edge. Subtract 1 inch from each measurement.
    
2. Cut a piece of rusty chicken wire using the frame measurement and wire cutters.
    
3. Center the chicken wire on the back of the frame. Attach the edges of the wire using a staple gun.
   
   
   
   

For the Baling Wire Display:

1. Lay the frame on your work surface with the back facing up. Measure the width of the inside opening and add 2 inches.
    
2. Cut two lengths of rusty baling wire using the width measurement and wire cutters.
    
3. Lay the wires horizontally across the back of the frame. Separate the wires and evenly space them from each other and the top and bottom of the frame opening.
    
4. Attach the wire ends to the frame, approximately 1/2 inch from the end of the wires, using a staple gun. Using needle nose pliers, bend the ends of the wire downward to prevent them from sliding out from under the staples.
    
5. Attach one or two sawtooth picture hangers (depending on the size of the frame) to the top-back of the frame