#cheap frames

Framing ideas: Large map with trim frame; Wooden box used as a frame.

Framing is expensive! Framing large things gets ridiculously expensive. Not to mention transporting your gigantic painting/poster/picture. And who doesn’t like to save money?  

I devised three ways to save on framing at my house:

Cheap Already-Framed Pictures

Okay, so this one’s easy and useful. I go to the Goodwill, or a similar reseller, when I need a regular sized frame. They have plenty to choose from, just ignore the picture that’s already in it! Find a frame you like and bring it home. Take out the glass by removing the back. (It may need to be cut off.) If you don’t like the color of the frame, this is a good time to paint it.  

Color is a good way to make mismatched frames look like a set.  

Put the glass back in, then your picture. There might be space in the margins around your picture, so use blank paper as a backing, or fancy it up with some glitter, fabric, paint, etc.  

A Wooden Crate

I think shadow boxes are so rad! They have a dimensional aspect and allow for more variety, such as being able to display non-flat items. Sometimes wooden crates can be found or purchased inexpensively, especially if damaged or dirty. Damage adds character and dirt can be cleaned! When I moved into my house, the previous owners left us several interesting items. One of them was this shallow crate I used as a frame.  

It was covered in spider webs and dirt, but I saw potential. I had recently picked up this amazing giant squid print at the Emerald City Comic Con and I knew the box was the perfect way to display it. I cleaned and oiled the wood and cut the edges of the print so that it would fit perfectly inside. I struggled with a way to fix the print to the wood, I didn’t want it to just sit at the bottom. It turns out that oiled wood is difficult to get something to adhere to (like tape). I was finally able to get it stuck on with hot glue.  

Frame with Trim Board

I especially liked this idea because it potentially saved me hundreds! I don’t know how much it would have cost to frame this giant map. I wracked my brain for months to figure out how to frame my map without forking over a large sum of cash. (Plus transporting the thing!) I finally realized that I could just tape the laminated map onto the wall with painters' tape and nail trim boards around it to create a “custom frame”. 

A picture frame can be a decorative and protective edging around a photograph, especially a framed picture. It not only makes showing the work safe and easier but also integrates the work with its surroundings, and makes it visually separate from the rest of the room.

Picture frames are commonly used for displaying personal pictures and family mementos, particularly when people don't have a place to keep their pictures, like in closets, basements or attics. But they can also be used to display other kinds of items. These could include business pictures, memorabilia, or even the everyday things people do every day.

If you don't know where to start with choosing a picture frame, there are a few things that you should look at. For example, some frames will fit your photos in different angles and sizes so they can be hung vertically on the wall or on shelves. Others will stand on their own, which is more useful for those who have different kinds of pictures.

Another consideration is the size of the frame. It's best to choose a size that is easy to hold and will be able to make the necessary adjustment if required. A large picture or one that contains a large number of pictures should be stored vertically on the wall. Those that are small and compact, like many pictures taken in a small room, should be placed on a shelf.

When choosing what material to use to make the frame, you should consider the type of picture you have in mind. A canvas picture frame works great because it has a sturdy finish that is resistant to scratches. If you have a photograph that has already been framed, a canvas frame can be a great alternative. They look great in any room and are very affordable. Moreover, it doesn't take much to clean it up and make it look brand new.

Before you start making your frame, you should decide what kind of frame you want. You have a lot of choices, but most of them are made out of wood. These types of picture frames are available in a variety of woods, including oak, cherry, pine, mahogany, birch and ash.

Although these picture frames are commonly made out of wood, there are some that are made out of glass. You can choose to have glass picture frames if you're looking for something flashy and modern, or if you have something more classic. However, most picture frames that you buy today are made out of wood because it's more durable than glass.

Picture frames are easy to decorate with and they are a great way to show off a work of art. There are a lot of frames out there in a wide range of colors and shapes. Some are made to complement specific pieces of furniture or decorating style, but there are also ones that blend well with the whole décor of the room.

To find picture frames, it's a good idea to shop around and see what's available in the market. You can also ask for advice from friends, especially if you plan to put them in a special place. When choosing a frame, you have a lot of options. Some are designed specifically to match certain pieces of furniture. Other frames are also made with different shapes and styles that will match perfectly with a specific style or décor.

Aside from the type of picture you want to put inside the picture frames, you should also consider the look and design of the frame. Since they are available in different designs, it would help if you know what kind of frames to suit your personality or the best. For instance, the vintage-style picture frames look great with Victorian-style furniture or antique-style furniture.

If you have a lot of paintings or photographs that you want to display, you can buy wooden picture frames. Wooden picture frames are available in both plain and variegated varieties, giving you a lot of choices. Some of these wooden frames are made to blend with other decorative items in your home. In fact, there are some designs that are already made with the right color to match the theme of the house.

My New Glasses From Zenni Optical

Recently this pass month I went and had my yearly eye appointment. My dr made me go since I am diabetic and was due for one anyways. So I had to get the dilated eye exam done to make sure there are no signs of Diabetic Retinopathy. Which I am happy to say  my eyes are healthy and I have no signs at all.  He did say my astigmatism did improve and that my eye sight did change slightly but he wasnt…

We are now living in the modern technology era, we rarely see people developing or printing their photo cause posting and saving it in the computer or online is much easier. But there are still some people who like their pictures in a frame hanging on a wall or on a table inside the house. If ever you’ll buy picture frames for your pictures, I suggest you take a look at some metal picture frames. These are frames that are widely used as of today. They are available in different features and styles. Metal picture frames roles are to protect and display photos on table or on the wall. Metallic picture frames have many advantages than any other picture frames.

Cost Effective

Wooden picture frames are expensive and requires hi cost maintenance compared to low cost metal frames. Seasoning and regular polishing is a must in order to keep wooden frames absolutely in shape and look good. The non durability and sensitivity are the two main reasons on why metal picture frames are having better mileage when compared to wooden picture frames.

With the economy’s situation getting worse each day, it’s always a great thing when you can save some money, no matter how little it is. With metal picture frames, you are getting a reliable picture frame without having to spend too much.

Elegant

Metal picture frames are available in matte wooden look where from a distance is looks like a wooden picture frame. The camouflage goes well along with wood color upholstery and wooden floor at a costly effective price. Metal picture frames with good quality come in different sizes, shapes and in a very light weight as well.

There is always a special vibe when it comes to metal picture frames. It gives off a sophisticated aura. Even if it doesn’t really cost a lot, to the naked eye a metal picture frame actually looks expensive.

Durable

It is one of the essential reasons why metal photo frames are getting the most priority as of these days. It requires low maintenance and just a little care like a new piece. They are light-weighted meaning it safe to hang them on any wall. Metal picture frames are not easy to break unlike the wooden frame therefore it rarely gets affected by shocks like slippage & vibration. It was also known that metal frames lasts linger compared to wooden picture frames.

 It cannot be denied that metal picture frames can last and withstand even the strongest blows. It is not fragile unlike other picture frames. If ever an accident occurs, God forbid an earthquake or anything of that nature – you can be assured that your metal picture frame will be able to survive.

Versatile

Metal frames come in with wide variety of colors, shapes & sizes at an affordable cost. They are easy to handle in aspect of placing & removing photos in and out of the frame. It is joined together with the assistance of a metallic corner brackets what remain in place to position and to tighten the grip of metallic pressure, these metal frames can be easily opened so that the picture inside  can be taken out easily and can be changed easily. These metal photo frames look pretty attractive with personal pictures.

Don’t have a lot of money for expensive picture frames to hang your family tree? You don’t need a lot of money when you have a little creativity and crafting skills. Cheap picture frames can serve as a great alternative for those looking to honor the importance of special pictures and items in frames, without spending an arm and a leg.

  Here are a few easy and inexpensive projects to make cheap picture frames that can highlight your family photos, thereby making them the focal point of any room:

  Hanging Frames Uniquely

  Sometimes even a basic frame can bring in added flare, simply by being hung in a non-traditional manner.

  ·         Diamond Shape - Consider hanging wall groupings on a diagonal or maybe even in a diamond shape, by taking a square or rectangle shaped frame and placing the photo in it diagonally, then hanging the frame diagonally. If you take several of these and position them in a diamond shape, you’ll get an even more intricate effect.

  ·         Family Tree – If you have a little talent with a paintbrush, you can paint a tree outline on the wall and use the framed family photos as the leaves of your tree, positioning the photos so that each family branch indicates how everyone is connected.

  ·         Mirrored Look – Not into clean lines or abstract angles? Then how about circles? Circular or oval frames can be hung in a spiral on the wall, drawing the eye from one photo to the next. Try hanging a medium sized round mirror and surrounding it with photos that are also in round frames for an eye-catching effect that draws viewers into the display every time they look in the mirror.

  Create Your Own Frames

  This is easily one of the best cheap picture frames ideas. If you’ve shopped around at all, you already know that frames can cost anywhere from a buck or two, to hundreds of dollars depending on the size, style and age of the frame, Fear not! You can have a very elegant and unique frame collection for just a few dollars with a little bit of paint, glue and detailing.

·         Crackle Paint – Craft and hobby stores are a great source of ideas and materials. For a few dollars, you can buy crackle paint that creates a marbled look to whatever you use it on. This is a simple way to spruce up a generic low cost frame from the dollar store.

  ·         Build a Frame – One of the most fun cheap picture frames that you can make, step back into your childhood and build a multi-dimensional frame from Popsicle sticks! Layering and stacking the sticks will create a 3-D effect with depth and dimension. Add a little strategically placed color if you aren’t into the wooden look, and you have a wonderfully whimsical frame, perfect for a kid’s room or play room.

  ·         Bring on the Buttons – All those miscellaneous loose buttons are a great way to create a unique frame out of a bland traditional style frame. Hot glue buttons to a cheap frame in a design that you find attractive. Beads are another option that can give you a textured, colorful look.

Using cheap picture frames does not mean that you have to sacrifice quality or aesthetic beauty. You can still give your room a unique and elegant finished look. By adding some simple detailing to a generic frame, you can have a one of a kind piece of art in which to display your precious art or photos. 

I came upon a post on the blog YaYaYa called "Can you judge and artist by their cover."  Basically, the blogger asks this question because she does indeed judge artists by, well their artwork. I found it funny because I do it too. But I also realized that on the job I judge people for their frame choices too.

When someone asks for my opinion on how they should present their work in their personal space for usually the next 20 years or so, they are essentially saying "Make a quick and stereotypical judgement of my taste based on what I am wearing, the art in front of you and the answers to the few questions you will ask me." Alright. Every day people bring me artwork and ask for my advice on how to frame it. I judge their art, I judge their taste, I judge them and I pick a frame that I think suitably fits all three. I wish I could say I was less judgmental, but I'm an artist, I'm opinionated and honestly it's part of the job.

Mid 50's. Mom jeans. Roller set curls. Pale pink cardigan. Leather loafers. Coach purse. You bring me sepia tone photos of chubby blonde children hugging each other uncomfortably on a velvet draped photo set. 

My judgement: You've probably taken to the 'shabby chic' decorating scheme for your home and will hang these photos down a stairway, slightly staggered per your recent 'Pinterest' inspiration. I choose for you a 3 inch cream mat, 2 inch distressed white 'french provincial' wood frame.

Early 20's. Paint splattered jeans. V-neck pocket T. Vintage purse. Probably an art student. You bring me a large abstract-ish surreal watercolor drawing that you want to give as a gift.

My judgement: You should frame it floating on a light gray rag mat with spacers and a simple white, silver or black square profile frame. In reality you want the cheapest option, a simple black frame, no mat, no spacers. It will still be too much. I direct you to the nearest Ikea.

Nice suit. Blackberry/iPhone permanently attached to your hand. You bring a limited edition etching you bought at an auction/gallery. You don't know much about the artist but you know how much you paid for it.