Photography is of considerable importance in our life - because what, if not photography, reminds us of some of the memorable moments of our lives captured on it?..
A photograph is a bright and wonderful reminder of a vacation or weekend spent, especially if it happened in the lap of natural beauty...
The wooden photo frame offered below can be an excellent addition and a worthy frame for your photographs of this kind.
It can be an interesting and useful gift for an experienced tourist, an avid fisherman or hunter, and can also decorate the interior of your wooden house or bathhouse. (see photos 1, 2 and 3) .
Using very inexpensive tools and devices, following the step-by-step technology described below, you can make a similar thing for your home from a ubiquitous material - branches.
First you need to select the material - since it is distributed almost everywhere, this should not be a problem.
Preferences are such that it is more desirable to select healthy hardwood branches with bark, cut down in winter. They should be moderately even - but it is better if they have a slight curvature. The diameter of the branches should be approximately 4-5 cm and they should have well-preserved bark. Moreover, it is desirable that the bark is not smooth, and even better if there are also pieces of moss or lichen on it - in this case the frame will be more expressive.
We cut the found branches into pieces of approximately 40-50 cm and dry them for some time (about a month) in a warm room.
After some drying, you can start working. We cut the blanks to length, with an allowance of 2-3 cm. Since the photo has dimensions of 20*30 cm, we cut the long blanks at approximately 46 cm (30 cm length of the photo, 10 cm for two joints, and 6 cm for two tails) , and short ones - about 36 cm (same as the previous size, minus 10 cm). We measure the required length with a tape measure and cut it with a hand hacksaw. (see photos 4 and 5) .
Next, we lay out planes on the workpieces using a universal woodworking machine, or using a manual electric planer (see photos 6 and 7) . The thickness of the workpieces should be approximately the same.
Of course, when working on a machine and with power tools, you should not forget about safety regulations .
After pre-treatment, you need to let the workpieces sit for a while and dry, if necessary. After a few days of exposure, we check the evenness of the planes - if necessary, level them again.
Now let's start making connections. The connection is simple - half a tree, and in this case it does not require special precision and accuracy.
First, we make markings - place a sheet of paper or thick cardboard measuring 20*30 cm on the laid out blanks and mark the location of the cutouts on the lower blanks (see photos 8 and 9) .
Using a wood hacksaw, follow the markings and make several transverse cuts half the thickness of the workpiece. (see photos 10 and 11).
Prices for wood hacksaws
wood hacksaw
Now with a sharp chisel using light blows of a mallet we cut off the excess material (see photos 12 and 13) .
Similarly, we mark and make cutouts on the remaining two blanks and remove excess material with a chisel (see photos 14 and 15) .
As a result of these simple operations, four blanks are obtained with cutouts for a half-tree cross connection. (see photo 16) .
On a flat plane, lay out the workpieces in the same order as during marking and fasten them at the joints using wood screws (see photos 17 and 18) .
Find out the advice of professionals from our new article on our portal.
The planes of the workpieces after fastening must be in the same plane - if this is not the case, then we adjust the joints with a chisel (see photo 19) .
Now you need to cut a recess on the inside of the resulting structure for inserting glass. To begin, mark the contours of the future recess using a sheet of paper and outline its boundaries with a pencil along a ruler, adding 2-3 mm on each side (see photos 20 and 21) .
We set up a manual milling machine - install a groove cutter in the collet and set the milling depth equal to the thickness of the glass and photograph (see photo 22) .
Using a square, set the stop for smooth milling and secure it with self-tapping screws (see photos 23 and 24) .
Prices for chisels
chisel
Pressing the sole of the milling machine against the stop, carefully mill out the recesses on all four workpieces (see photo 25) .
We trim corners and burrs with a sharp chisel (see photos 26 and 27) .
After this, use coarse sandpaper to sand off the remaining pile and uncut fibers. (see photo 28)
We cut off the “tails” with a hacksaw, making them approximately the same length 3-4 cm (see photo 29) .
Using an electric plane or a sharp chisel, we form beautiful ends of the “tails” at the ends (see photos 30 and 31).
We cut off the remaining burrs and fibers with a sharp chisel and sand the ends with sandpaper (see photo 32).
From jute twine (with coarse fibers) we cut four pieces of 8-9 meters each (see photo 33) and using an electric drill we twist them into cords approximately 1.5 m long (fold in half, fasten one end, fasten the other into the chuck of an electric drill, twist into a double cord. Disconnect both ends and the cord itself will twist into a quadruple.) (see photo 33 and photo 34).
Using a hacksaw and chisel, cut out indentations for the cord approximately 1 cm wide from the inside of the joints (see photos 35, 36 and 37) .
And after that we begin to tightly tie the connection with a cord, carefully ensuring that the cord passes exactly in the place where the recesses are cut (see photos 38 and 39) .
We tuck the end of the cord into an already wound cord or secure it with a stapler (see photos 40 and 41) .
The result is four beautifully designed corner joints. (see photos 42 and 43).
Now you need to cut out the back wall, which will hold the glass and photograph in place in the recess.
Using a ruler, measure the required length and width of the wall - it should cover the recess, plus you need to add 15 mm on each side to attach the back wall to the back of the frame. After this, we cut out a rectangle from hardboard or thin plywood according to these dimensions. (see photos 44, 45 and 46) .
Roulette prices
We mark the locations of the holes for fastening, drill them with a drill with a diameter of 3 mm and countersink them with a drill with a diameter of 8 mm for the screw heads (see photos 47 and 48) .
Using a roller glass cutter, we cut out the glass of the required size - it should be 2-3 mm smaller than the size of the recess cut for it. To avoid cutting yourself in the future, sand the sharp edges with fine-grained sandpaper secured in the block. (see photos 49 and 50) .
We apply a protective and decorative coating - wood oil or varnish - to the wooden parts of the frame and let it sit for about a day until it dries completely. This coating will make the frame brighter and more expressive. (see photos 51 and 52).
After the protective and decorative coating has dried, insert the glass and photograph into the recess intended for them. (see photos 53 and 54) .
Using small self-tapping screws, screw the back wall to the frame. Using a piece of twine tied to two small screws, we make fastenings for hanging on the wall. (see photos 55 and 56) .
And after that, the finished frame can be hung on the wall.
Have you recently flown to hot countries, been invited to a grand wedding or an unforgettable anniversary? To preserve the memory, did you take a lot of photographs? Now they are inserted into albums and thrown onto shelves in cabinets, but do you really want these memories to please you here and now? Insert photos into a frame, which you can not only buy ready-made, but use your imagination and decorate it yourself. After all, then you will put it on your desk in the office, hang it above your bed, make it part of your interior, or simply give it as a gift and surprise the people close to you. And it will be cool! And in this article we will figure out how to decorate a photo frame with your own hands, do it correctly and inexpensively. Since there are many design solutions and methods of decoration.
The easiest way to decorate a frame is to stick something on it, for example, newspaper tubes
First, let's look at papier-mâché technology, which some call French. Let's remember how the whole family made various crafts, animal figurines, vegetables and fruits in childhood. To do this, use pieces of finely torn paper and homemade paste or silicate transparent glue.
An ordinary frame can be decorated using papier-mâché technique
The basis will be a regular frame, which can then be used for its intended purpose. Since it is simply removed from the frozen form at the end.
We will need:
- newspaper;
- paper (can be used);
- stationery knife;
- soft brush;
- lubricant;
- cloth or sponge.
At the first stage, we prepare small pieces of paper. They are cut with scissors or torn by hand.
You can use any paper - the main thing is that it is well saturated with glue
Lubricate the edges of the frame with a cream base (ointment, grease, Vaseline). We take each piece, moisten it with water and apply the first layer. Let it dry and carefully apply a layer of glue. Then we apply another layer of torn paper and let it dry. There can be from three to seven layers.
You can make curls on the surface of the frame by laying the laces and pressing them into the paper
You can also simply paint a finished photo frame with your own hands or decorate it with hearts, bunnies, and flowers made from papier-mâché.
After the glue has dried, the frame must be painted with gouache and then covered with acrylic varnish
Beauty in time
Let's try to make a photo frame ourselves in a vintage style, so that we can give it to our grandparents. It is also suitable for the interior of a country house or cottage.
A vintage frame looks good with a black and white photo.
There are plenty of design options. For example, artificially aging the surface of a finished wooden frame. For this you will need:
- paints;
- tassels;
- fine sandpaper.
Let's paint it gray or brown. Let's give it time to dry.
By combining colors you can achieve different effects
We will choose gold or green for the color of the second layer. But let’s not let it dry completely and go over the entire surface with sandpaper. And finally, you need to cover the resulting result with varnish.
There is no need to try to process the frame too carefully. The more “errors” there are, the more natural the aged surface will be.
Also suitable for vintage decor are newspapers, pages from an old book or sheets of a music book after solfeggio lessons. And on top of this you can make and glue a composition of homemade flowers and petals.
Frame decor with old newspapers
Master class on steel decoration
If there is such an opportunity, then we will move to the garage workshop and build a photo frame from metal. For convenience and durability, it is advisable to use a low-power welding machine with argon. Well, in ordinary everyday conditions, liquid welding based on binary glue is often used.
You can create a real masterpiece from wire
We will need:
- wire;
- side cutters;
- pliers;
- round nose pliers;
- needle file;
- welding.
It is advisable to take the wire for the base from steel. On the finished frame frame, make two horizontal jumpers between which the photograph will be inserted. It is very important to cover all this with a layer of paint so that possible corrosion does not ruin the photo.
You can make a three-dimensional frame, although it will take more time
Then we take a variety of wires made of non-ferrous metals: copper, aluminum, bronze. Using pliers and round nose pliers we form a composition. These can be ordinary circles, ovals, diamonds and squares. Or you can depict a twig with leaves and a bud. Be sure to take care of safety precautions. Wear gloves and safety glasses when welding.
The result was not just a frame, but a whole composition
Frame with pasta
Wondering how to decorate a photo frame with your own macarons? This decor is very suitable for any kitchen or dining room. You can do this yourself without any problems.
It’s convenient to stick pasta using a heat gun
For the base of the frame, you can use an old wooden cutting board with a handle or an unnecessary plate of a suitable size. Sand and prepare the surface. Glue pasta along the edge using a glue gun and paint them with paints of different colors.
Beads are suitable for additional decor of the frame
Try buying and using Italian pasta (“Candele ca’Pont”, “Zanini”). They are made of multi-colored dough and unusual shapes.
And for this frame they used not a wooden base, but an old leather belt
Let's take the knitting needles in our hands
To create decor for a bedroom photo frame with your own hands, you can use crochet techniques. Any photo edged with lace will pleasantly complement your interior.
Any frame made of wood, plastic or cardboard is suitable as a base.
Nuances of work and tools:
- knit with crochet needles;
- use only thick, dense yarn;
- necessarily a frame made of wire, plastic hoop or cardboard;
- the ability to use ready-made crochet patterns.
If you use your imagination a little, you will get a more original composition
Natural color
There are a stunning variety of photo frames with this theme. And almost all of them are made at home, using absolutely any natural materials.
Decorating the frame with moss, pine cones and acorns
While relaxing on the sea coast, do not forget to collect beautiful shells. Buy a regular frame and have a glue gun ready. From everything you have, first assemble the composition on a separate piece of paper. Carefully transfer your creation, insert your best vacation photo and enjoy the memories.
To decorate such a frame you need shells of various sizes.
And while walking through the forest, you can pick up not only mushrooms and berries, but a lot of material for decoration. The easiest option would be to take a cut of a small stump or a piece of tree bark. Treat the surface of the wood with termite repellents and varnish. And try a frame in the form of an ethnic wattle fence. To do this, you will need to collect small but elastic branches.
To decorate a small frame you will need a branch no more than a meter long, which must be peeled and cut into rings
Let's start sculpting
A photo frame sculpted from plaster or clay will be original and very distinctive. To do this, you will need to use special knives and spatulas. And then bake the finished sculpture in the oven and, if necessary, apply multi-colored designs. With your own hands you can make from clay everything that your imagination is capable of.
To make a plaster frame, you first need to prepare a mold for casting
Cool photo frames are made from polymer clay
There can never be too many photos
Have you often used computer applications to make collages? Make photo frames! You need to take a frame with wide edges, print out the required number of photographs in a small (passport) format, and then stick them around the perimeter on a previously prepared background. A large family photo looks good in the center. Create a combination of frames on a tablet or poster, and friends and relatives can leave inscriptions with wishes and congratulations.
You can come up with a lot of collage options for family photos.
Children's frame
And let's not forget the kids! The little one can be allowed to choose toys, and then together decorate the frame with his photograph. Fun entertainment for the whole family!
Wooden photo frame with a cheerful fabric bee
Knitted frame in the shape of a mermaid
Waste-free production
Do not throw away or recycle all waste paper: magazines, advertising brochures, posters. Cut out bright and interesting elements from them and use the decoupage technique. You can also use greeting cards - this is also a very useful material for decoration.
The base of this frame was made of cardboard, which was pasted over with flowers from old postcards. And the highlight of the composition was a flower made of polymer clay
Needle and thread
If you often do sewing, use some of your materials to decorate some kind of home photo frame. Tie the edges with multi-colored threads. Paint and glue the empty spools. Or just add a lot of unnecessary buttons to the edges.
If you don’t have a ready-made frame, make one from thick cardboard
Regular wool yarn is suitable for this decor.
Fragrant Symphony
And finally, let's look at a way to decorate frames using scents. Try adding scented candle wax, coffee beans or spices. After all, this can be a tasty addition to all of the above options.
“Edible” frame decor with cereals
Stylish frame with aromatic coffee beans
Feel free to experiment! Good luck!
Photographs are a repository of a variety of moments. They preserve life itself. That is why people always, even in the era of digital technology, put on the table, place on the walls photos related to a particular event or person. Spectacular and unusual photo frames are not cheap, but everyone wants to decorate their home with a noticeable decorative element. Therefore, the decor of photo frames has always been, is and will be in demand. Decorating frames with your own hands is possible for almost everyone; it is exciting and makes you feel like a real creator.
Paper photo frames
How many things can you make from paper? Countless products, interior items, crafts and much, much more. The Internet is teeming with ideas, each better than the next.
Photo frame using origami technique
Necessary materials:
- colored single-sided paper;
- scissors;
- a simple pencil;
- PVA glue;
-ruler.
Base - 4 squares 15x15 cm.
Fold the square diagonally with the colored side facing inward.
Expand. Place the square face up and fold the bottom side of the square towards the fold line as shown in the photo.
Turn the workpiece over and bend the bottom corner.
Turn the workpiece over to the front side and bend along the fold line.
Turn over. And fold the bottom part along the fold line.
Place the side in the pocket. The module is ready.
Reverse side of the module.
To assemble a photo frame we need 4 modules.
Apply glue to a sharp corner and insert it into the corner of the 2nd module, as shown in the photo.
Then the 3rd and 4th module.
The photo frame is ready.
Reverse side of the photo frame.
Insert any photo or funny picture.
Volumetric photo frame
The good thing about this frame is that all you need to create it is a piece of paper and scissors. What’s also great is that the frame is voluminous.
The size of the frame depends on the size of the sheet of paper. This means that you can make a frame of any format. And use it to post a photo or collage, as well as to decorate handmade crafts.
Print the frame template
If you don't have the opportunity to make a printout, then make a template for a homemade paper frame with your own hands. To do this, you need to place a photograph in the center of the sheet and trace its outline (or simply draw a rectangle of the appropriate size in the center of the paper). Then set aside strips of different sizes (alternating strips 1.5 cm and 1 cm wide). Make indentations at the top and bottom as shown in the template.
Next, we bend the drawn strips along the ruler. We begin to wrap the sides of the future paper photo frame. We do this carefully so as not to crush the craft.
The short sides are folded first, followed by the long ones. We need to insert the corners of the long sides of the paper frame into the corners of its short sides to secure the structure tightly.
If the paper is very thick and glossy, it makes sense to insert the photo first, and only then fold the sides. This way it will “sit” tighter. If you are worried about the design, you can drop a little glue or use double-sided tape.
Paper frame using quilling technique
Option 1:
For work you need to prepare tools and materials:
- photo frame made of light wood.
- acrylic paint white
- sponge or sponge for applying paint
- quilling paper white and blue - strips 3 mm wide
- tweezers for quilling
- quilling awl
- scissors
- PVA glue
- glue Moment
- acrylic contours - imitation pearls - white and blue colors
Let's start by preparing the frame. It is better to take a frame made of light wood. Then you don’t need to prime the frame first, and the white paint will fit perfectly on the wood. If the frame is made of dark wood, you will need to apply primer first to disguise the dark color of the wood.
Remove the glass from the frame. Using a sponge, apply paint to the frame on all sides using a blotting motion. It is better to apply 2-3 layers. And leave the frame until completely dry (after 1.5 hours the frame will be completely dry). 
While the frame is drying, we will prepare the decorative elements with which the frame will later be decorated. Let me immediately note that when creating such elements there are no uniform schemes or rules. All this is purely a flight of fancy and mastery of working with paper.
We take 8 strips of white color and glue them together with a ladder, that is, each strip is glued to the previous one with its tip, while the tip of the strip is located slightly lower. 
Using an awl, we twist the glued strips, while wrapping the strip so that the gluing points are inside. 
Unravel the twisted roll. This is such a beautiful curl. 
Now we glue all the strips together in one place, just below the curl. 
When the joint is dry, we give the strips a wave shape and glue the strips together again. 
We cut off the remaining free ends so that each strip is longer than the other. 
And twist each end. 
Please note that this is a large complex element. Now we glue this element to the already dried frame. The element can be bent to fit the frame. 
In the decor of this frame, I wanted to play up 2 colors - white and blue, as well as a smooth transition from one color to another, so let's start creating a central element, but this time in blue.
We glue 6 strips of paper together with a ladder and roll them into a roll.
Glue the strips together in one place. We cut the ends in the same way as the white element: each strip is longer than the previous one. 
And we wind each strip onto a quilling awl. 
Now we unwind the previously twisted rollers. This is easy to do by running an awl over them. 
Now we glue this element to the frame. It is better to use instant glue for this. At the same time, we glue this element in the upper left corner, as in the photo. 
We straighten the curls so that they lie in the same plane and glue them. 
In order to make a smooth transition from one color to another, we glue strips of white and blue, 4 of each color. And twist it into a curl. 
Glue it to the left side of the frame. 
To fill the voids, we make and glue curls to the frame. Left - white, right - blue. 
Add another blue curl, but this time larger. 
Now let's go back to the bottom of the frame. For decoration we twist a lot of small curls. To do this, cut the strip into pieces of arbitrary size and twist the ends. 
We glue the elements so as to fill the entire space. 
I always encourage people not to be afraid to combine different techniques, and in this case I used acrylic outlines for painting. Using an outline with imitation pearls of a natural color, we place a series of dots. The size of the dots increases, from smaller to larger. 
In the upper part of the frame, where the swirls are blue, draw dots with a contour of a suitable shade. 
I drew wavy lines so that one color of the dots smoothly transitions into another. 
And here is the result. 
Place your favorite photo in a frame and let it please your eyes for many years to come.
Option 2:
To make a quilling photo frame you will need the following ingredients:
Thick paper for background (minimum 300g/m2)
- less dense paper for flowers (from 120 to 160 grams/m2 - denser is not advisable, because strips of this size will not curl so obediently and smoothly) in two colors. In my case, it's white, which will stand out, and a more subtle shade of the background color, which will allow our flowers to blend better with the main color and help highlight the details.
- a paper knife and a steel ruler for cutting strips. Cutting with scissors is a tedious task.
- PVA glue
- a toothpick or other device for twisting rolls
We cut strips 30 cm long and 5 mm wide, and estimate the quantity based on the plot we have planned. There are many clever ways to cut quickly, such as cutting multiple layers of paper at once, but at this density (120 to 160) it is quite difficult. Therefore, in order not to be too tricky for a long time, I fastened the paper for the flowers with a notebook sheet in a cage and, Whack-Whack-Whack, moving the ruler across the cells, but first we’ll make a frame, and the best part will be for later.
We mark our densest leaf. I recommend that you first draw up a detailed diagram on paper so as not to cut off too much and take into account all the dimensions. I was counting on a 13x18 photo, based on these dimensions we choose the width of the frame, mine on the left and bottom is a little wider. Having finished marking, we cut out a window for the photo, which should be slightly smaller than the photo itself.
Now let's take care of the “pocket” into which the photo will be inserted. Photo paper is very thick and has a significant thickness, so to prevent the frame from deforming when a photo is inserted into it, we will give the pocket a little width. We glue a narrow strip of thick paper on the back side, and now we can glue the “pocket” itself, which will prevent our photo from falling out of the frame.
The base is ready
Let's move on to the flowers. So, to make a petal we need a strip of paper, which, using a split toothpick (or a more noble tool), is rolled into a tight roll. The roll, in turn, is unrolled to a certain diameter, then the end of the strip is fixed with PVA glue and the roll is given the desired shape using your fingers. We wash our hands so that there are no offensive dark spots at work later. The sections of the strips get dirty especially easily; for white paper this is simply a disaster; it can easily give it a very poor appearance.
To make identical petals, it is convenient to use a template to unwind the rolls to the same diameter.
I also really like flowers of this shape.
And leaves, of course
In general, we twist as much as we like, don’t forget to create flora of various sizes.
When the main elements are ready, we place them on the frame and glue them. This is not the final version, but I think the meaning is clear.
Now we add details until the composition seems complete enough.
The last step remains - attach a stand to the back for stability.
The frame is ready!
Photo frame made of paper tubes
Option 1:
We will need:
- old newspapers or magazines;
- base frame;
- glue;
- wooden skewer;
- scissors.
Before making a frame from newspaper, you need to prepare several dozen tubes. To do this, divide the printed publication into separate sheets, and then, starting from the corner, wind each sheet onto a wooden skewer.
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To secure the tube, coat the corner of the sheet with a small amount of glue. Wait until it dries and carefully remove the skewer. Make several dozen more paper tubes in the same way. In our example, about 55 such tubes will be required.
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Check if the tubes are long enough to cover the frame. If they turn out shorter than required, glue two tubes together by inserting one into the other. Now you can start creating a frame from newspaper tubes. Apply a thin layer of glue to the base frame. You can use a primer if the base color doesn't suit you.
Glue together four tubes into a rectangular frame, the size of which corresponds to the photograph or painting you plan to display. Carefully remove the ends of the tubes protruding beyond the edges of the frame, and the craft is ready!
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Option 2:
We cut strips along the entire length of the sheet, i.e. 30 cm. Strip width 5 cm.
It is better to use glue that is not liquid. And you will need a wooden stick. We place the stick so that the ends of the strips remain empty, mine are 5 cm. Twisting a tube in this way is not as easy as it seemed to me at first, and I came up with my own method, which I share with you.
First step. First we make a side in the shape of a stick. This makes it easier to glue it on later. If you don't have such sticks on hand, you can replace them with paper tubes. Which are twisted for weaving. For us, the main goal is a frame made of straight tubes (no twists).
Step 2. Rub the stick with pencil glue on all sides and glue the side to it. Let it sit (the stick and paper should stick together), while we glue the next one. And so we made the preparations and proceed to the next step.
Step 3. We make the first turn of the stick, pressing firmly and straightening the ends of the tube. Then don’t try to twist it too tightly, you’ll only wrinkle the paper. You just need to give it the shape of a tube. Then on the floor on a mat, start rolling the sausage (as with dough), first lightly, then you will feel that it is curling up. Then you press firmly and roll until you feel the stick. Try to ensure that the ends where there is no stick are the same thickness as the center. And also, if you roll a tube and it doesn’t curl, it means the stick has come unglued.
Step 4. Secure the tube with clothespins. Clothespins have two sizes of recesses, we fix them in the second - smaller one. Possible for three clothespins.
Step 5. First glue between the clothespins, then remove them and finish gluing where the clothespins were. I carefully glued it with PVA glue with a needle. The tube is ready.
This way I glued two tubes together. The tubes, if glued this way, will not move. They will be even. I applied the glue with a toothpick between the tubes directly from the top. And also, don’t forget to lay all the tubes with the seam facing up - this will be the wrong side.
My clothespin only fits two tubes into a large recess.
These are the stripes we got for the frame. One photo is missing of how I glued 4 tubes together. It’s already simple, cut out a strip no wider than 4 tubes and glue it on it.
I needed a frame for this picture. I laid it out as I saw fit and measured the internal size.
I made a mark along the ruler from corner to corner and cut it with a very sharp knife.
I cut out a corner and glued it onto it.
I constantly measured the frame so that it wouldn’t turn out crooked.
And here is the corner. It worked!
Bamboo paper photo frame
For a bamboo frame you need thin, dense tubes of foil or cling film. The tubes may differ slightly in diameter - this is bamboo, and in nature it can be different.
I cut the tubes, but it seems to me that whole ones are also possible; for example, I saved money because I didn’t have many tubes and I like it better when the flat side is near the frame.
First fitting. The stretcher was glued together from 2 corrugated cardboard sheets, the front side was covered with velvet adhesive film, and the back side was covered with wallpaper. On the top crossbar you can see that the sizes of the tubes are different.
Each prepared “stick” was pasted over with pieces of some kind of wrapping paper (found in bins). A jute rope was glued under the paper in several places (future jumpers - bamboo rings). Where there was a difference between the diameters of the tubes, I also wound a thread, having previously glued the tubes by overlapping the larger smaller.
Cover the glue-dried tubes with brown putty (I covered everything well with my finger, paying attention to the jumpers).
When the tubes were dry, I carefully sanded them with fine sandpaper. In the places where the jumpers were, I used a brush with brown paint and, without waiting for it to dry, I seemed to stretch the paint away from the jumpers, thereby making the color transition smooth and natural.
Cardboard photo frames
Option 1:
Creating beautiful frames without the appropriate equipment is problematic. Therefore, collect a minimum set of tools. It should include:
- large scissors;
- stationery knife;
- PVA glue;
- a simple pencil;
- scotch;
- small scissors;
- fine-grained sandpaper;
- ruler.
Note: It is advisable to get a cutting mat; it makes it much easier to mark out the details of the future frame.
If you are not happy with the color of the cardboard for the frame, purchase a can of spray paint. To decorate photo frames, use shells, pebbles, glass, rhinestones, beads, etc.
In addition to the basic tools, you will need: a paint brush with soft bristles, a spray bottle, water and tongs. They will be needed to prepare the material for use.
Preparation of material
The best material to make your own photo frames is cardboard. Why? It is cheap and easy to process. Every home has at least one cardboard box and glue with scissors.
In its raw form, cardboard is of little use for making a photo frame. Its preparation comes down to the following - separate the top layer so that the corrugated part appears.
Sometimes this is not easy to achieve, since different types of cardboard are made with different amounts of glue and they have different thicknesses.
How to quickly peel off the top layer of cardboard:
- Wet the part of the paper that needs to be removed. Distribute the moisture evenly over the surface using a brush. Wait 2-3 minutes for it to soak. Using your fingers or a knife, pry up the edge of the layer and try to remove as large a piece as possible. Cut off the rest. Clean off dried glue with sandpaper.
The method described above is applicable to large pieces of cardboard; for small ones, sometimes it is enough to rub the top layer.
Note: Spray the water more carefully. If you overdo it, the cardboard will become soggy. At best, you will have to wait until it dries. At worst, start the work all over again.
Instructions
First you need to decide what kind of photo the frame is being created for. It is not the content that is important, but the size and orientation of the card (vertical or horizontal). Based on this, proceed:
Step #1. Cut out the base.
Cut out the base of the frame from a large piece of cardboard. Its dimensions should be at least twice the size of the photo. Next you will understand why. Using a ruler and pencil, mark the contours of the future part. Then cut it out with scissors. 
Step #2. Making a compartment for photography.
In the middle of the base, outline a rectangle slightly smaller than the photo for which the frame is being made. Carefully draw along the outline with a stationery knife and cut out a window.
Cut out a rectangle that will cover the photo hole on the back of the frame. Glue the door with tape on one side.
Step #3. We complete the preparation.
Make several cardboard strips of different lengths. Stick four of them around the photo compartment. Use the rest to create the structure of the front part. For clarity, look at the figure below.
To make the frame fit more tightly to the wall, glue triangles at the corners of the back. They compensate for the thickness of the door and allow the photo frame to hang more evenly.
Making triangles couldn't be easier. Cut one out using a pencil and then use it as a stencil.
Step #4. Decor.
Everything we did before had little to do with creativity. It's time to turn on your imagination to the fullest. Here is one of the options for designing a frame, but this is just an example, you can come up with your own version.
So, to decorate the photo frame we use the same cardboard. Take the prepared material with bare corrugation and cut into ribbons. Divide several of them into elements as shown in the figure below. 
Next, glue the decorative parts onto the front of the frame. The result is an asymmetrical relief pattern. This photo frame is unique and, with the proper approach to manufacturing, will outperform its designer counterparts.
Additional photo frame design options are: 
Traditional photographs have an energy that digital images lack. Enclose them in frames made by yourself. This will make the captured moments of life brighter and the design of the room unique.
Option 2:
You will need: corrugated cardboard, self-adhesive paper, scissors, ruler, pencil, colored paper napkins or corrugated paper, stationery stapler, thermal gun, photograph.
From cardboard we cut out 2 rectangles 16X20, one 5X15. On one of the rectangles in the center we draw another rectangle, retreating 3 cm from the edge, the inner rectangle is 10X14.
We place our rectangle on self-adhesive paper, trace it with a pencil and add 2-3 cm, as shown in the figure, cut out and carefully glue two large rectangles.
We cut a small rectangle (hereinafter referred to as the holder) from one edge diagonally as in the picture and also paste it over.
To make flowers from napkins, we will need 9 napkins, from which we will get 18 flowers.
Cut the napkin into two parts exactly in the middle.
Cut out a circle with a diameter of 5 cm from cardboard. Fold the cut napkin in half and fasten it with a stapler. Let's circle our circle.
Next we cut out and shape the flowers.
Using a heat gun, glue the holder onto the entire rectangle from the glued side.
On the other side we paste a photo.
We assemble the frame by gluing both parts and flowers.
Wooden photo frames
As you know, wood is an ecological, expensive and exquisite material.
Wood in any interior emphasizes aristocracy. By placing a wooden product in our home, we get a little closer to nature.
Step 1: Materials
You will need a couple of pallet boards for the project, although any other wood will do. In my case, the slightly weathered look of the pallet wood goes perfectly with the equally time-worn sign, so I used that. If you want to achieve a more polished appearance, then pallets can also be used, you just need to sand the boards thoroughly and, for example, coat them with varnish or paint.
For the back wall of the frame you will need something flat, such as MDF or hardboard. Thin plywood or thick cardboard will also work. The only requirement for the back wall is dimensions. The dimensions should be slightly larger than the visible area of the frame, and smaller than its edges. In other words, it can be the size of the frame, but a couple of centimeters smaller on each edge.
Step 2: Attach the object of adoration
Our frame is not quite ordinary; it will not be possible to insert glass into it, behind which the photo is placed. Since there is no glass, you will have to glue it down to prevent the photo from falling out. I used a car sign instead of a photo and glued it to the MDF (back wall) with hot glue.
Glue can be any kind, but with hot glue it goes faster.
Step 3: Cut out the frame
Now we need a ruler, and basic skills in working with a hacksaw (which all men have by default from birth). All you need to do is measure the length of the inner edge of the frame on the board, and draw 45-degree angles, and then cut the board along them.
Step 4: Putting all the pieces together
I just hot glued each side of the frame to the back panel and that was it. As you can see, there are small gaps between the boards, and I like this look even better.
Step 5: Glue it a little more
Along the edges of the back wall I applied another thin layer of glue for additional adhesion.
Step 6: Frame Mounting Hole
The hole for fastening is made from the back side, and the main thing here is not to make it through.
Step 7: Finishing Touches
Frame made of tree branches
We will need:
- thin branches;
- cardboard;
- glue gun or superglue;
- moss (real or decorative);
- decorative flowers;
- acrylic paints;
- craft varnish (optional).
To make such a frame, you need to take a responsible approach to the choice of material. Try to choose branches of one or two sizes (thicker and thinner). It is better not to take twigs with slippery bark, as over time they will begin to dry out, which will make them not very beautiful. And it’s more difficult to work with slippery bark. Dry branches collected from the ground rather than plucked from trees are best.
The blank for the photo frame needs to be cut out of thick cardboard (and several layers glued together) or plywood. Next, paint the future frame brown or any other color. The main thing is not to leave it white, as it will not look very nice.
Free the branches from excess bark and straighten them. Cut to frame size. Place four thicker branches as the first layer and glue them.
Next, lay out another layer of branches. Increase their mass on the photo frame gradually, gluing each one separately. If you are using superglue, the reliability of which you are not too sure of, fasten the branches together with wire. It is advisable to choose wire of an inconspicuous color or completely cover the finished photo frame with spray paint so that the fastenings are not noticeable.
Glue moss around the edges of the frame. If you don't have anything similar, add leaves or pine cones that can be pre-painted.
Add decorative flowers or beads, painting them with acrylic, to decorate them with berries. At the end, the craft can be sealed with non-toxic wood varnish.
Photo frame made from sushi sticks
Option 1:
Making a layout
We fold the sticks in the form of a lattice. To do this, we place two sticks parallel to each other at a distance of approximately 20 cm, then we place 5 sticks perpendicularly on them at a distance of 2.5-3 cm.
Preparing the components
We fasten all parts of the layout with threads. Then we repeat the same thing again. We should get 2 grids, the same as in the picture.
Connecting the components
We put the lattices together and tie them together.
The photo frame is ready!
We make a loop so that our frame can hang. Then we glue the photo using double-sided tape. That's all, the product can be placed on the wall!
Option 2:
Frame made of wood chips
Wood chips can be purchased at hardware and home improvement stores.
This frame will be a great gift. And you can use it not only for a mirror.
This frame design will be appropriate for photos and watches, and it is possible to place some beautiful composition of flowers or glass in the center.
Photo frames from improvised means
Pasted decor
You can glue a lot to a frame, everything is determined by the taste and imagination of the master.
Buttons
Photo frames decorated with buttons will look original, especially if you choose them in the same color. However, this is not a mandatory condition. The desired color uniformity can be achieved using acrylic paint. For example, buttons coated with gold paint will transform beyond recognition an old photo frame that by a lucky chance did not end up in the trash bin.
Beads, rhinestones
Over time, such things accumulate in abundance in every woman. All this can become a unique collection of materials for decorating an elegant frame with your favorite photo with your own hands; it’s worth gluing them onto a pre-planned drawing or ornament. Tip: you can use whole brooches, beads, beads, pearls, interesting pieces of glass, fragments of broken dishes, mosaic elements.
Natural materials
Tastefully decorated frames in a natural style always attract attention. After all, we are all children of nature. 
Photo frames made of coffee beans, shells
Coffee beans
Coffee beans will be useful to you not only for making an invigorating drink, they turn out to be an excellent material for decorating a photo frame with your own hands: they have a wonderful smell, an original texture, a noble color, and they do not spoil. The work won’t take much time either: it’s not so difficult to use a glue gun or PVA glue to tightly line a standard photo frame with coffee beans, which in its new guise is guaranteed to become a leading interior accessory.
To make your handmade frame smell fragrant, buy star anise and star anise and find a place for them in the overall decor. 
Shells
This is one of the rewarding materials for decorating a photographic frame with your own hands. For decoration you need shells of various shapes and sizes. In addition to shells, it is appropriate to use interesting glass, sea pebbles and other finds made on the sea or river bank in inlay. 
Photo frames made from egg trays
These roses are made from regular cardboard that eggs are sold in in bulk. 
All you need is a mirror, a few egg cartons, scissors, glue and spray paint.
1. Cut out the cells with petals
2. Cut out smaller petals inside the bud, and glue them with a slight offset of the petals.
3. Repeat until you have a full rose.
4. Glue the roses to the mirror. It is better to seal the mirror with masking tape; you still have to paint it.
5. Spray paint, let the paint dry and remove the tape.
Foamiran photo frames
Materials and tools
To make bright butterflies, prepare:
- foamiran (plastic suede) 2 mm thick, black and two types of color;
- thin white and lilac foamiran;
- glue "Moment";
- scissors;
- pastel;
- pencil;
- paper;
- cotton buds;
- knitting needle
Manufacturing technique and photo
On paper folded in half, randomly draw a template with a pencil - half the silhouette of a butterfly, or download a ready-made picture. You can transfer the silhouette of an insect from a book or children's coloring book.
Cut out the pattern with scissors, lay it on black foamiran, trace it with a knitting needle, lightly pressing on the plastic suede. The material for the base can be dark blue, brown, the main thing is that the top layer is much lighter. Repeat for a different size and shape.
Fold the paper template in half again and cut out another silhouette that follows the contours of the first, retreating 2-3 mm from the edge. Repeat with another paper pattern.
Cut out all four butterfly silhouettes from foamiran. Make decorations from thin material of different shades.
Tint the top blank with pastel, placing it on a slightly damp cotton swab. Color without using strong pressure, the movements should be light to get natural “live” shades. Apply colors symmetrically - in nature, these insects are always mirror-like.
Also color the detail of the second butterfly.
Fold the painted parts in half and randomly cut them into equal parts. Immediately arrange the resulting elements on black symmetrically, otherwise it will be difficult to choose the same ones later.
If desired, also cut the resulting shapes into smaller ones. The smaller they are, the more interesting the pattern of the wings will be.
Lay out the entire pattern of the wings and begin gluing the decor to the base one by one. It is advisable to work from the edge to the center, leaving a small black gap between the workpieces. This will create a volume effect and make the craft more interesting.
Try to ensure that all elements are glued symmetrically. Remember the perfection of nature.
Now you need to prepare the photo frame. From thick foamiran, cut out two circles that make up the base of the frame; in this master class, the diameter is 22 cm.
Make a smaller hole in one of them (for the desired photo).
Cut out a blank that fits half of the top photo frame. Glue it to the bottom base of the photo frame. Glue the front part on top. Follow the instructions printed on the glue tube.
Glue the resulting butterflies onto a photo frame, choosing good places, as in the photo.
Cut randomly small butterflies from colored foamiran for additional decoration of the photo frame and stick them on the front part.
Apply pastel using the method already described on the frame and butterflies.
Glue a magnet if the frame will be placed on the refrigerator or attach a holder for a photo frame.
A photo frame with foamiran butterflies is ready to decorate your interior or become a gift.
Today, there is a wide variety of ready-made photo frames in stores. But sometimes there is a desire to do something yourself so that the product turns out to be truly original.
How to make a photo frame
The process of creating a photo frame from wood with your own hands is quite creative. Therefore, different methods are used to obtain the final result.
DIY wooden photo frame.
First way
Least labor intensive and easy to use.
- First of all, you need to choose the right fittings from which the future photo frame will be made. To make a wooden frame, you will need wooden slats, glue, paints, sandpaper, and staples for a stapler.
- Of course, it’s also worth paying attention to what size the future frame will be. Next, the same length of all four sides of the future product is correctly measured. After which the edges of the slats are filed at an angle of 45 degrees.
- Then, using staples, the two sides of the frame are connected, so that the joint becomes barely perceptible. But this is not enough; the sides of the future frame should be coated with glue before connecting them with staples.
- After the glue has dried, you can start decorating the frame. In this regard, everything will depend on your own wishes and imagination.
- After decorating the frame and gluing the selected decorative elements to it, you can place a photograph in it. This can be done using a stapler, and the photo must first be laminated. This will allow you to maintain its appearance for as long as possible.
Second way
The next method is more labor-intensive, although the initial principle of operation is the same as in the first case. But this version of the frame requires the presence of a baguette. First of all, wooden blocks of the same size are glued together, then the same bars are glued together, but of smaller sizes, for the second frame. The result is an object that looks like a box.
The decorative elements of a wooden photo frame can be very diverse.
The joint that connects the two frames is glued with a decorative baguette. It is coated with glue twice before use. After drying, the wooden frame can be painted at your discretion. The result is an unusual and original product.
An item made with your own hands always brings more joy and satisfaction than something bought in a store. For example, a picture frame assembled with your own hands will always evoke more positive impressions.
A frame with your own hands can also be made using a special woodworking machine, where you can cut out beautiful patterns and create an unusual ornament. But this is usually done by craftsmen who have experience in this type of work.
Wood photo frame
A wooden frame will always win among others due to its appearance, and plus, environmentally friendly materials. And any photo in it will look harmonious. When the question arises of how to make a frame out of wood, you should understand that, no matter which version of its manufacture is chosen, it is the end result that is important.
Original do-it-yourself wooden photo frame.
Very often, in order to make a frame, they use a simple method of tightening it with a rubber band. That is, a tape tied in a loop glues together wooden blanks that must be sawed at 45 degrees. True, it is not always possible to complete such work the first time, since it requires certain skills.
Another method can be used. It requires a square sheet of plywood, along the edges of which beams are screwed. They should be located at an angle of 90 degrees. With their help, already prepared elements of the future frame are pulled together and glued together. After tightening, you need to check how the corners of the frame are located relative to each other.