Creating a Tiny Picture Frame!

In the midst of looking for ways to add more art to spaces in my life, I found that smaller pieces of art can impact a space just as well as larger pieces. This led me to making tiny frames that can fit virtually any place you desire. This guide is a place for you to insert your creative ideas and make things in a way that you hadn't yet thought of. Most of these steps offer you the tools to make projects other than tiny frames. I hope that you find yourself in a wonderful state of wanting to try new things after reading this. Happy creating!

Materials will vary based on the size of your design. I recommend that you read through the steps before starting- there are many different ways to assemble your frame.

Wood (3/8 to 3/4 thickness)

Carving tools - Depending on your designs you may wish to use knives, chisels and gouges, or power tools. I will be using two round gouges because my design does not require much more.

Saw - You may use a scroll saw, coping saw, fret saw, or jewelers saw

Workholding devices - Bench hook, clamps, vise (whatever you have or feel comfortable with)

Drill - A spring drill, hand drill, or cordless/corded drill

Drill bits - You will need to enter your saw blade into the hole, the size varies by design (use the biggest size possible)

Backing - For the back of your frame. Wood, cardboard, and any sturdy material is acceptable

Glue - Any that suits the material that you are using

Command Strips

Scroll saw blades

Sandpaper/Files

Carbon Paper

Finishing materials - I am using paint, but you could also use wood stain, oil, wax, or anything that you wish.

PPE - Mask (for sanding and any harsh fumes), safety glasses, gloves (cut resistant), ear protection (if using power tools)

Planning your project with a sketch helps you to prevent any mistakes in the following steps.

To place your idea onto the wood, you can freehand draw, or use a transfer medium such as carbon paper.

Before sawing you will want to drill a hole into the middle of your frame so later you may insert your saw into the hole to cut out the negative space. You will then secure your piece to your work surface using a clamp, or even a vise. If you are using a scroll saw, then the machine comes with its own clamp. When you begin making your cut be sure to go slow. If you are cutting on the line, remain on the line- same for if you are cutting to the left or right of the line.

I have found that cutting in between a 45° and 90° angle allows for easier cutting with a coping and jewelers saw.

The first three photos are of a jeweler's saw with a scroll saw blade inserted through the hole drilled to create the inner recess of the frame.

You do not only have the option of sawing out the hole. You could also chisel it out or use a Forstner bit or hole saw on a drill. Anything that allows the job to get done without breaking the design.

After cutting everything out you will want to sand or file off any tear out, so you don't get any splinters while carving. If you have no tear out, or don't want to sand just yet- you may now start carving.

Use your tools to carve away at the wood until you feel satisfied. Note the use of the chisel/gouge/rotary burr that you are using to make sure the process goes as smooth as you want it to.

Be sure to follow safety precautions while carving into the wood. Direct all sharp points away from your body and keep your fingers out of harm's way.

Take your time, there is no rush in creating a work of art.

I chose to have the backing be flush with the back of my wood, as opposed to having it cover the entire backside. To do this, you must carve out a recess for the backing to lay into the wood. Photos 1 and 2 show this process. You will need to trace the interior of the frame onto your backer and proceed scale it up to the size of the recess.

If you wish for your backing to cover the back of the frame, you must simply trace along the border of your piece and cut the stock to size.

These are light duty frames, so I used cardboard. You may use any suitable material. The backing may be secured with glue, staples, or framing hardware.

Before finishing with a stain or paint, you may want to sand. If so, now is the time to do it. Be sure to wipe away any dust before moving on to apply your desired finish.

To showcase your picture frame, you have many options. A few would be to attach a magnet, command strip, alligator hooks (for framing), or you can simply attach a frame arm.