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    Simple DIY Frame

    By Stacy 13 Comments

    I have a picture frame addiction. When Shane and I first were married, I would save my money and then pick out a new picture frame. As poor newly weds, a frame was a total splurge. Sometimes when I find a cute print or my kids draw me a picture, it will be an odd size and won't fit into the standard size frame. That is when it is handy to know how to make your own frames!

    There are many different ways to make a frame but I tried to think of a way to show you that used minimal tools for those of you who may not have a joiner or a router. I have partnered with Minwax to bring you this simple DIY tutorial :)

     

    DIY picture frame

     

    I had a long skinny piece of ⅛" plywood that got stuck in the back corner of my garage because I wasn't sure what I would be able to do with a piece that size. When I was thinking of this frame, I knew it would be a good choice for this project. I cut two sets. One set was wider by about half an inch. I used my miter saw to cut the ends at 45 degree angles. You could also use a miter box.

     

    frame-cut-pieces

     

    I sanded all the pieces with a fine grit sandpaper. Be careful not to round the edges.

     

    sand-all-pieces

     

    You will glue the skinny set to the wider set which creates a grove (that normally a router would make) for the glass to sit in.

     

    glue the two sets together

     

    After the glue dries, you can now glue the frame together at the corners.

     

    glue-edges

     

    You can use corner clamps to hold them together or if you don't have them, use heavy books pressed up against the edges to keep it together while it dries.

    After it has dried, add some thin trim to the edges for added detail and to hide the edges of the two pieces of plywood.

    add-trim

     

    Clamp or use the book method again to hold it together while it dries.

    If you need to putty any gaps, use a sandable, stainable putty.

     

    detail-up-close

     

    Choose a stain (or paint) you would like to use on your frame. I went with Early American from Minwax this time. Apply it liberally and allow it to sit for about 10 minutes.

     

    stain-the-frame

     

    After the 10 minutes are up, remove the excess stain with a paper towel.

     

    wipe-off-excess-stain

     

    Once it has dried completely, add a sealer. I chose polyurethane. I applied it with a brush but for a small project like this, it might have been easier to use the spray polyurethane (affiliate).

     

    seal-with-polyurethane

     

     

    To hold the glass and photo in place, you need to add these little guys. I never knew the real name until I did a search on amazon for them. They are called turn buttons (affiliate). They are handy to have for when your other frames loose their little metal bendy tabs. Or an I the only one who accidentally breaks those off?

    add-turn-button

     

    See how the glass has a place to rest? Now you can customize not only the size of photo your frame holds but you can make your frame thicker than the ⅛" plywood I used. The piece you add to the back (that is ½" less in width) does need to be ⅛" thick though. For example, you could use a 1x4 board to make the frame. A 1x4 board is 3.5" wide so the ⅛" plywood for the back would need to be cut to 3" wide.

     

    add-glass-to-frame

     

     

    Then your frame is ready to display your favorite print!

     

    easy DIY frame

     

    I saw this quote by Mark Black last week and it really resonated with me. I have a very hard time relaxing. I feel like if I am relaxing then I am not being productive and being productive is really important to my personality type. But if I don't force myself to relax, I get burned out. I thought having this in my office would be a great reminder. Relaxing is important :)

     

    PIN for later:

    easy diy picture frame

     

    Make sure and check out the Made For Love campaign that Minwax has going on right now. Remember that sweet video from my last post? I just love it! Plus you can enter to win a piece of furniture made by expert craftsman Juniper.

     

     

     

     

     

     

    This post was sponsored by Minwax but the content, ideas, and opinions are all mine :)

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    Filed Under: DIY & Tutorials 13 Comments

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Dyan

      August 31, 2016 at 7:16 am

      This is a great, easy way to leave a groove for the glass! I never would have thought of it. Thanks so much for the tutorial.

      Reply
    2. cmt

      August 31, 2016 at 7:25 am

      I love the way you can take a scrap of plywood and turn it into something really beautiful and useful. Love the way it turned out. Thanks for the clever tips on putting the glass in, and the terminology for those little things I break off too.

      Reply
    3. Zara

      August 31, 2016 at 10:00 am

      What a great tip to make a second one for the glass fitting. I do have routers but this is very good, Thank you!

      Reply
    4. susan parkinson

      August 31, 2016 at 11:05 pm

      Very clever, I love it! I also really like the quote and would like to use it in my home office. I too am a type A personality! The only issue is my handwriting is awful...any tips on that?? Thanks so much. susan

      Reply
      • Stacy

        August 31, 2016 at 11:10 pm

        I just typed it out! My handwriting is terrible :) I'll send you the file and you can print it out.

        Reply
    5. Leanna

      September 09, 2016 at 10:52 pm

      Hi Stacy: Thank you for posting a frame that makes room for glass and for defining turn buttons. Much better than asking for those little turney things.

      This is a very good tutorial.

      Reply
    6. Shirley Wood

      September 11, 2016 at 7:29 am

      I share your addiction for picture frames with two boxes full in storage! We’re so glad you party with us at Merry Monday. We always look forward to your projects.

      Reply
    7. Marisa

      September 16, 2016 at 3:27 pm

      I love doing projects like this and it looks so simple and you end up with a unique piece!! Love it!

      Reply

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