Update Picture Frames with Leather Belts
by R. Ann Siper http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/508449/update_picture_frames_with_leather.html?cat=30
Leather belts are the perfect way to update old picture frames. You can use any real leather or good looking faux leather
belt to remake and repurpose inexpensive and old looking frames in no time!
To Update Existing Picture Frames With Leather Belts You Will Need:
Old Picture Frames
Nails or Tacks
Scissors
Glue
Leather Belts
To get started you want to measure how tall and wide the frame is on the frame. Yes, that does read funny, but you do
not need to know what size photo it will hold, but the actual size of the four sides.
Now, cut out one strip of leather belt to the same length as each side. You will trim to custom fit in a second.
Tip: Consider how wide the wood frame pieces are. It is a great idea to use a belt that is a similar width. Fr instance, it
does not look so great to use a skinny belt on a super wide frame.
Now, take each strip and bevel the ends. You are basically cutting a forty five degree angle so they fit together like the
original frames.
Simply lay a ruler on the edges and make a straight line to mark the 45 degree angle. Use scissors to trim the small end
piece off.
Line up all four pieces of leather ot make sure the leather corners now fit together in a square.
Tae your photo frame apart. You want to lay the wood or plastic frame on a flat surface.
Run a bead of epoxy glue or hot glue along the top sides of the frame. Take your strips of leather belt and press them
into place on the front of the frame.
Let this glue dry for 24 hours.
Now, here is a fun way to customize your leather frames: Try using small ½ inc h or ¼ inch finishing nails to tack the
leather strips of belt into place. This can only be accomplished on wood frames. Plastic and metal frames will crack or
simply bend the small nails.
Other fun ideas for embellishing include cutting one of the pieces while the belt is buckled. This will allow you to use the
belt buckle on the leather belt as embellishment on the frame!
This last idea is a great way to use a large western style belt buckle when you want to create a cowboy leather frame!
How to Make Picture Frames From Old Barn Wood
By Lee Haas eHow Contributing Writer http://www.ehow.com/how_4881720_make-frames-old-barn-wood.html
Wood salvaged from old barns or other wood structures can be recycled into picture frames to create
a charming focal point for any room. Use old barn wood to frame landscape paintings or family photos
to give a rustic look to your home. If your décor is French country, you can whitewash the wood and
use it to frame a toile fabric. Or coat the wood with a high-gloss paint for a modern-fusion look.
Difficulty: Moderate
Instructions
Things You'll Need:
Salvaged wood planks
Tape measure
Pencil
Miter box
Saw
Wood glue
Corner or belt clamp
V-nails
Hammer
Sandpaper
Staple gun
Step 1 Measure your artwork. Use a tape measure or ruler to find the height and width of the artwork you wish
to frame.
Step 2 Determine the inside measurements of your frame. Subtract approximately 1 inch from both the length
and width of your artwork. For example, if your artwork measures 12-by-16 inches, the inside of your frame will
measure 11-by-15 inches. The frame opening will be smaller than your piece of art , giving you a 1/2-inch
overlap on each side of the artwork where you can attach it to the back of the frame.
Step 3 Select your wood pieces. Pick pieces with knotholes or nail marks to add character to your frame. Or
select smoother pieces with consistent color if you prefer a sleeker look. Choose pieces with a uniform width.
Step 4 Determine the outside measurements of your frame. Start by measuring the width of your wood pieces.
Double the width and add that to the inside measurement of your frame. For example, if your wood pieces are
2 inches wide and your inside measurements are 11-by-15 inches, your outside measurements will be 15-by19 inches.
Step 5 Mark your measurements on the wood pieces. Measure off your outside measurements and mark them
on your selected pieces of wood. You need two lengthwise pieces and two width-wise pieces.
Step 6 Cut the wood pieces that will make the four sides of the frame. Using a miter box, start at your marking
for the outside measurements and cut a 45-degree angle so that you have an angle cut where you'll be
attaching the pieces together to form the corners of the frame.
Step 7 Lay out your picture frame. On a flat surface, lay the wood pieces down to form your frame.
Step 8 Glue the corners of your frame. Apply a liberal amount of wood glue to each of the 45-degree angles
and press them together. Do this to all four corners. Then secure them with corner clamps or a belt clamp
around the entire frame.
Step 9 Nail the frame joints for added strength. Hammer v-nails into the back of the frame at each corner,
joining the glued seams.
Step 10 Allow the frame to dry. Then sand it lightly to remove any splinters.
Step 11 Attach your artwork. Using a heavy-duty stapler or staple gun, staple the edges of your artwork to the
inner edges of the back of your frame.