Bead Board Picture Frames

I have done several projects involving bead board. But this is what started it all. I made myself some picture frames using scraps from when we redid one of my daughters rooms last year. You could say these frames are what started my obsession with using bead board in decorating. 

I decided to make some of these frames for each of my sisters and sister-in-laws for their birthdays this year. These frames are super cute and even better they are super cheap too. Which is a HUGE plus for a cheapskate like me.

*UPDATE 9-18-13 - for those of you who would like a beadboard frame, but don't have the tools or time to make one yourself, I am now selling them in my etsy shop.  Check it out here. If you don't see any make sure to send me a message and I'll get some more made.

Here's how I make them:

I started out with a package of beadboard. I spent $12 on this.

 It has 6 sheets in it. You can cut 3 frames out off each sheet. So you could make 18 frames. I only needed 11 so I'll be using the rest on other projects. I also bought two 3/8" dowels. You could use a different size as long as it's sturdy enough to hold up the frame.

To start you'll want to cut about 1/4 or so inches off the length of each board. Just enough so you have flat edges. Then cut the boards into 9" pieces. 

 Cut your dowels into 4 1/2" pieces.

In order to have a rounded corner, I traced around a cup and then using a jigsaw cut out the rounded corners.

Then drill a hole in one corner of the frame using the same size drill bit as the dowel.

I don't have any pictures of the process but here is what you should have at this point.

Sand down any rough edges and you're ready to paint.

 Here are the colors of paint I used from my stash:

Apple Barrel - Barn Red

Deco Art - Antique White

and for the turqoise I mixed two colors in approx. equal parts until I liked the color.

Americana - Baby Blue

Americana - Desert Turqoise

 Next comes the antiquing, or glazing.

I like to use Americana Staining Antiquing Medium. You can buy it at a craft store for around $2. I'm only on my second bottle and I've even glazed a desk. That's way cheaper to me than buying a big can of glaze at Home Depot and having tons left over. You just mix it with equal parts paint and you're good to go.  I've even used it with purple paint on all the purple furniture and shelves in  My Daughter's Bedroom. 

For these frames I mixed the antiquing medium with Americana Burnt Umber for the cream and turquoise frames. I mixed it with black for the red frames.

After glazing, I sprayed with a clear spray to seal.

In order to cover the hole where the dowel is inserted, I added some fun rosettes out of burlap. (I just hot glued them on) This was a great choice, with the frayed edges and the slightly messy look. Especially when you're making dozens of them, you don't want to have to worry about them all looking perfect.

 I added a little ribbon to a clothespin and hot glued it on.

Lastly, insert your dowel. You can hot glue it in, but I'm not going to since it will be easier to mail these if they are flat.  And honestly, you don't really need to. I've had mine for at least a year and they've been fine.

I love how you can easily change out the pictures or the direction of the frame.

I didn't make any of this type of flower this time around, but I thought they were too cute not to share. I just took a 1" strip of burlap, folded it in half lengthwise and rolled them up. 

Another idea I used originally, was to add metal sheeting, painted to match, and attach the picture with a magnet made from an old button.

Here's another one made from a smaller scrap. I'm using it as a recipe holder.

I had to keep one of the turquoise ones to go in my bathroom. Now I just need to find a picture.

The only things I bought were the beadboard, dowels and some black ribbon.  For everything else I used what I had on hand, all left overs from other projects. 

Here they are all ready to give when a birthday comes.

 I feel so prepared now. The bad thing is that I've already missed two birthdays.

Christmas Wreath

Last year I started a ribbon wreath and it did NOT work out.  It was hideous. I should have taken a picture. I took it apart and redid it. Here's how it turned out this year.  

I started with a wreath from the dollar store ...

wrapped it with ribbon...

and glued on some ornaments.

What do you think?  Do you like it?