The Easiest DIY Frames EVER – No Fancy Tools Needed
I love decorating our home with artwork, posters, and photos, but finding the right frame can be a challenge. Most frames come in standard sizes and if you want to hang something that’s an odd size you either have to make your own or get someone to do it for you. And since I’m always changing our artwork around, I end up with loads of empty frames stashed away in a cupboard. So today I’d like to share how to make the easiest DIY frames EVER!!!!
Not only are they simple to do (you don’t need any fancy tools), they’re easy to store too and best of all, you can switch out your art anytime without damaging the pic. The DIY frames can be “dressed up or down” to suit your decor style too ;- )
Okay, before I get to the tutorial, please do me a favor and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, or Instagram. And don’t forget to subscribe so you’ll never miss a post!
What You Need For the Easiest DIY Frames
- Magnetic tape
- Balsa wood
- Sharp Craft knife
- Ruler
- Glue
- Paints and decorative bits (optional)
How to Make the Frames
Start by cutting the balsa wood into strips using a craft knife. Balsa wood is really soft and easy to cut. You can cut the strips to any length you like, just make sure they’re at least 2 cm (7/8″) wide.
You’ll need four equal-sized strips for each frame. Two for the bottom and two for the top.
Customizing Your Frames
Use whatever you like to decorate the frames. Our décor tends to be rustic bohemian, with a bit of crazy thrown in for luck 😀 I used blackboard paint on one of the frames. That way I can write or draw on the frame if I want.
Another frame got a lovely coat of rose gold followed by espresso. I distressed the frame lightly and then added thumbs tacks.
And on the third, I used a stencil and some silver paint to decorate a balsa strip that had been painted brown. A few silver beads complete the look.
The possibilities are endless. Just go with what feels right for you.
You can frame a moment. But you can´t frame life. ― Armin Houman
Once you’re happy with the look, flip the decorated balsa strips over and glue the magnetic tape all the way across on each strip. The magnetic tape I used had a sticky backing, which wasn’t sticky at all, so I glued them down.
And that’s it. Those easy DIY frames are ready. Simply put the image face up on one of the magnetized balsa strips, and then add the second strip on top of the first. The magnets will clamp the picture in place. Do the same at the bottom of the picture. To hang the frames just tie some twine around the top.
Don’t you just love that old camera? I found the black and white print at the Graphics Fairy and grungi-fied it a little. You can download the free printable here. If you don’t have any twine then ribbon will work too………
or leather …….
And since the frames don’t even take 1/2 hour to make, you can play around and let those creative juices go wild 😉
These DIY frames really are super easy to make and they don’t take up a lot of storage space either.
And when you want to frame something else, just pull the magnets apart, store the piccy somewhere safe and add another one. Easy Peasy 😉 But I would love to know what you think? How would you customize the frames to suit your decor?
If you like the idea, don’t forget to pin it for later.
BTW if you’re looking for some of the things we used, we’ve got you covered Disclosure: Clicking on the links below, means we may receive a commission from Amazon. But don’t worry it won’t come out of your pocket, and it helps us come up with more amazing craft ideas to share with you 😉
And as always, here’s wishing you a beautiful, crafty week filled with lots of love. Thank you for popping in for a visit.
I love everything about this project. The simplicity makes it all the more interesting. And your photos… You always have the best-staged photos, you are like a pro. I love the Camera, I have been looking for one for years. I might have to try making one. lol
Oh my goodness, Anita. I’ve never seen myself as a pro stager 😀 but I thank you from the bottom of my heart. That means a lot. That gorgeous old camera was a gift from a friend. She found it in a thrift shop in Hibberdene. It’s really special. And you’re the one person I know who be able to make one without a doubt ❤️
Hello 😊
I am excited to try this out but I have a question… isn’t the second magnet strip sticky on the back, which would get kinda gross after a while and possibly stick to walls?
Thank you for sharing this project!
🙂 that’s a great question, Susan. I reread the post and I can see where the confusion comes in. The magnetic tape is glued onto the balsa wood strips to magnetize them. So when you put the two balsa wood strips together that “clamp” to hold the picture in place. I’ve updated the post to make it clearer (I hope).
Great idea! I’m going to use it to make a frame for my daughter’s scratch-off traveling map. We can’t find a fitting frame and this will be just perfect! Thank you for sharing your brilliance with us, Michelle! xx
? Mwah!!!! Thank you Jas. I’m sure it will be just perfect for your daughter’s map, maybe you can get your grandbabies to help decorate it for their Mum too ?
These are fantastic for all the various printables I make. Such a unique way to hang them. These are so beautiful for botanical prints and florals. Thank you for the tutorial. Pinning.
And they’re so easy to make too ?
These are great, love the magnetic strip idea. Great choice of a Modigliani painting too.
Wow Claire, I actually never realized how much that print looks like something Modigliani would have done. It’s actually a self-portrait done by Frida Kahlo. Their styles are so similar.
What is balsa wood? I really like the idea but I am not familiar with that term
Hey Joe, Balsa wood is normally used to make of model airplanes because it’s so lightweight. You should be able to find it in any craft or hobby shop. They normally sell them in these long, thin sheets and come in various thicknesses. For the easy frames, I used the ones that are about 0,5mm thick. Hope that helps
This is such a clever idea, Michelle! The frames are beautiful and so practical at the same time. Thank you for sharing this great project! ?
I’m so happy you like them Julia, thank you ?
This is on my list now, I always wanted to make my own frame and love yours Michelle!! So easy and fun to make!
Glad you liked them Katrin and they are super easy to make ?
Fantastic idea. This way the frame can be personalized to the picture. And oh so much easier than making a frame the traditional way.
You’re so right Debra. I always struggle to get the angles to match up on a traditional frame ?
Very clever Michelle! Love the look of these and that the art can be changed out easily. Perfect for the grandkids art work too.
They’re the best for kids artwork. We made some for a friend of ours. Her son is 3 and it’s so lovely seeing his happy little face when she puts his latest masterpiece in the frame. So special
I absolutely love this project! Pinning.
Thank you so much Virginia, I really appreciate that
Can you cut the wood with scissors too?
Hi there Jim, yes you can ? The edges may not be as smooth as when you cut the balsa wood with a craft knife though
Perfect and really easy too. Love the way you hung them from a yard stick. That’s a neat idea ?
? Thanks so much Karlee. Making the yardstick “rail” was one of those quick and easy things that worked so well. I should probably do a tutorial on it one day ?
Please do I would love to know how you attached the hooks
?
I absolutley love these. Thanks for the wonderful idea. I know what my super cold days are going to be filled with.
Glad you like it Liz. I wish I could blow some of our hot weather up to you to warm you up, enjoy making the frames
Michelle, this is genius! I’m always on the hunt for new frames, but sometimes it’s tricky to fill them because it seems so permanent. I love how easy it is to switch these up! I think you could also use photos in them without damaging the picture. 🙂 Off to find the supplies I need to make some for myself…
? They’re perfect for photos Amy, they won’t damage them at all. In fact, the picture of Frida Kahlo is printed on high-quality photo paper and the magnets hold it perfectly.
Beautiful Michelle! I do love easy…especially when it’s this pretty!
Easy is always good ?
You are so right Michelle, these are the easiest DIY frames ever! And they look fantastic too. I honestly want to make them all and then some. I also have a stash of picture frames in the corner of my room. Haha! I’m going through a phase now where less is more and have taken down a lot of things working on that minimal vibe.
LOL Mary, I hear you. I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to do the whole minimalism thing. I have tried but the little maximalistic rebel inside me always wins out ?