Old picture frames and inexpensive finds don’t have to be discarded. A few simple craft tips will spruce them up or transform them into a unique accessory for any print or photograph.

Crackle Paint

Take a plain wooden, plastic, or faux wood frame and paint it a base color (only a little of this color will show). Once it dries, cover it with basic white craft glue (Elmer’s school glue is fine), let set for a few minutes, then paint over with your primary paint before the glue has time to dry below the surface. The result will be “crackled” or old-fashioned peeling paint, giving a glimpse of your base color beneath the crackly paint on top.

Solid Black

Even patterned plastic frames made to look like woven vines or other shapes can be transformed into something classy and subtle by a bottle of black paint. Paint the whole surface (minus the glass) with a black smooth or flat paint (no glossy) to give it the look of classic metal work.

Decoupage

Cover any plain frame with a creative decoupage of pieces cut from colorful magazine pages, old greeting cards, or other recycled papers. Simply smear the frame with glue, cover the faux wood or plastic with pieces of paper, then add another layer of glue and keep going until the desired effect is achieved. Let dry, then enjoy the unique design and color scheme created by your handicraft skills.

Remaking an old frame into something new is a great way to save a few dollars and show off your creative skills. Create unique artistic wall frames with old purchases or garage sale finds tucked away in your house.