This tutorial will show you how to turn an unfinished wooden picture frame from the dollar store into a colorful statement piece using jewelry wire and any extra beads you may have left over from other projects.
How many of you are like me and have a collection of unfinished wooden decor in various shapes and forms, all purchased from the craft aisle at Dollar Tree?
If you are like me and have Dollar Tree unfinished wooden frames, boxes, or cut-out shapes of words or animals, I hope this project will have you pumped to turn it into the fantastic DIY knick knack it was always meant to be.
Not only will you finally use your dollar store craft supplies, but this project is perfect for using any stray beads you have left over from past jewelry you've made.
Unfinished wooden circular picture frame (always at the dollar store)
@Folkart Ultra Dye or other paint or stain
Drill or rotary tool
Laminator (optional)
DIY Beaded Photo Frame Instructions:
Step 1 - Paint wooden frame
Paint all the unfinished wood with @Folkart Ultra Dye or another wood stain or craft paint. Ensure you get the sides and back to make the frame look its best. I do recommend the Folkart Ultra Dye because I am a #PlaidCreator and I love all their interesting paints.
What is the Best Paint to Use on Unfinished Wood for Craft Projects?
When painting unfinished wood for crafts, paints made specifically for crafting are often the best choice. These paints are formulated to adhere well to porous surfaces and offer vibrant, lasting colors. Here are a few great options:
Acrylic Paint:
Versatile and easy to use, acrylic paints come in a wide range of colors and finishes, from matte to glossy.
Example: FolkArt Acrylics, Apple Barrel Acrylic Paint
Multi-Surface Paint:
Designed to work on various surfaces, including wood, making it ideal for mixed media projects.
Example: Martha Stewart Multi-Surface Paint
Ultra Dye or Wood Stains:
Wood stains and dyes penetrate the wood grain for bold, translucent color while keeping the natural texture visible. These are great for decorative pieces with a rustic or vibrant look.
Chalk Paint:
Offers a soft, chalky finish and works well for distressed or vintage-style projects.
Example: Americana Décor Chalky Finish
Depending on your project, sealing the paint may be necessary, primarily if the finished piece will be handled frequently or exposed to moisture. A clear topcoat, like Mod Podge or a polyurethane spray, can protect the paint and add durability to your craft.
Using craft-specific paints ensures better adhesion, vibrant color, and fewer complications, making your projects more manageable and enjoyable.
Step 2 - Drill holes around the frame
Use a drill or rotary tool to make holes around 3/4th of an inch deep around the edges of the frame. Make the holes an inch apart.
Step 3 - Cut wires for the holes
Cut jewelry wire into 3-4 inch pieces. Cut enough to fill all the holes you drilled in the frame. Wire cutters made for jewelry making are very helpful for this step.
Step 4 - Fill holes with epoxy glue
Add a dollop of epoxy glue (I used the glue made for bead and jewelry making) over the holes. Do three or four at a time.
Step 5 - Insert wire into the holes
Insert the wires to the bottom of the hole. You can lay the frame on its side to make sure the wire doesn't start to come out while they're drying.
Step 6 - Trim wires
The wires will probably be of various lengths unless you measure them well when you cut them. So, at this point, you'll want to trim the wires to be uniform around the frame.
Step 7 - Add beads to the wires
This was my favorite part. I picked out the most colorful beads in my collection and put them in a bowl. I mixed them up and chose them at random.
But before you start adding them, add some more glue to the base of the wire where it meets the frame. It's also good to add a little glue between every few beads by putting a touch of epoxy on the bead before putting it through the wire.
Step 8 - Add the end bead
I used the same type of bead for the ends of all my wires. Ensure you glue the wire before adding the bead and that no wire sticks past the end bead.
Step 9 - Put a picture in the frame
Since the frame is small, I made sure the picture I wanted to use would fit. I measured the frame window and used an iPad app to resize the image. If you're savvy with an app that can do this, you can add a circle around the image to determine where you want to cut it after you print it out.
If you don't have access to these tools, try to find a circular object the size of the frame's window, mark it around the edges of your photo, and cut around the mark.
I had an idea to make the picture look more like it was framed with glass...
I cut out my printed images, put them in a laminator sleeve, and used my laminating machine to laminate them.
I had to print the images slightly smaller than the size of the frame's window so that I had room to cut around them after they were laminated.
Laminating them made them look like they were behind glass and stiffened the image, ensuring it wouldn't bend in the frame.
Behold the finished frames:
Spiritual Lesson: Creating an Altar Item
An altar is a sacred space, often set up with meaningful objects, symbols, or images, used for meditation, prayer, or spiritual reflection. In many traditions, altars serve as focal points that help connect practitioners to their intentions, the divine, or inner peace. They can be as simple or elaborate as desired, often holding items like candles, crystals, statues, or personal artifacts that carry significance. The purpose of an altar is to create a quiet, intentional space for spiritual practice—whether it’s offering gratitude, setting intentions, or simply taking a mindful moment each day.
Symbolism in the Frame
Choosing a Symbol:Select an image or symbol that resonates with your spiritual path or personal journey. This could be a deity, like Green Tara, who symbolizes compassion and protection, or another symbol, such as the Om, which symbolizes unity, a lotus flower, which symbolizes growth, or a mandala, which symbolizes inner peace. Choose something that inspires mindfulness or reflects the energy you want to cultivate in your life.
Colors and Designs: Colors and patterns are essential in spiritual art. For example, green is often associated with healing, renewal, and abundance, while gold can symbolize enlightenment and inner wisdom. Consider the energy and meaning behind the colors you choose for the frame, and allow them to reflect your intentions. Beads and patterns, too, can carry meaning—whether through symmetry, repetition, or organic flow.
Spiritual Practice Ideas
Using the Frame in Your Space: Once decorated, place your frame on an altar or a particular spot where you meditate, pray, or reflect. This makes the frame more than just decor—it becomes a tool for spiritual practice.
Daily Reflection: Spend a few moments each day focusing on the image or symbol in the frame. Use this time for contemplation or intention-setting, allowing the visual reminder to guide your thoughts or uplift your spirit.
Setting Intentions and Spiritual Goals: Use the frame as a gentle reminder of your spiritual goals or intentions. For example, you could look at it each morning to reaffirm a personal mantra or goal, such as practicing patience, cultivating gratitude, or developing compassion. With each glance, let the frame reconnect you to your highest aspirations and center you in your practice.
By infusing your craft with spiritual intention, you create more than just a beautiful object—you craft a meaningful connection to your inner journey. This frame reflects your creativity and evolving spiritual path, inspiring you each time you return to it.
What are some other easy crafts to use up extra beads?
DIY Keychains or Bag Charms: String beads onto keyrings or small metal hoops to make personalized keychains or bag charms. You can even add letter beads to spell names or messages.
Friendship Bracelets: Use leftover beads to make simple stretch bracelets or thread them onto embroidery floss for classic friendship bracelets.
Beaded Bookmarks: Thread beads onto a thin string or cord, adding a few at each end. These make perfect, lightweight bookmarks for gifts or personal use.
Beaded Suncatchers: String beads onto fishing wire and attach them to a hoop to create small suncatchers. Hang them in a sunny window to catch the light.
Beaded Napkin Rings: String beads onto flexible wire or elastic cord to create custom napkin rings for your next dinner party.
Beaded Plant Hangers: Add beads to the strings or cords of macramé plant hangers for a decorative touch.
Wire Beaded Sculptures: Shape wire into hearts, stars, or abstract shapes, then embellish them with beads for small sculptures or wall hangings.
Beaded Picture Holders: Create whimsical photo holders by twisting wire into spiral shapes, adding beads along the wire, and attaching them to a base like a small wooden block.
Christmas Ornaments: You can decorate holiday ornaments with beads by gluing them onto plain glass balls or stringing them to make mini beaded garlands for your tree.
Zipper Pulls for Jackets or Backpacks: Add beads to keyrings or lobster clasps to make decorative zipper pulls for clothes, bags, or pencil cases.
Beaded Dreamcatchers: Incorporate beads into dreamcatcher webs or along the feathers and strings for an extra pop of color and sparkle.
Beaded Hair Accessories: Attach beads to bobby pins, headbands, or hair ties for a playful, boho touch.
Beaded Curtain Ties: String beads on a cord to create unique and colorful curtain ties for your windows.
Beaded Light Pull Chains: For an easy upgrade, you can customize pull chains for ceiling fans or lamps with decorative beads.
Beaded Wire Rings: Use thin wire and beads to create simple DIY rings for fun, stackable jewelry.
Decorative Wall Garlands: String beads, tassels, or pom-poms to create festive garlands for party decor or kids' rooms.
Beaded Sunburst Frames: Like the one in this tutorial, you can transform wooden frames by stringing beads onto wire to create colorful, sunburst-style decor pieces.
❤️ ❤️ Please share if you loved this project ❤️ ❤️
