Shiny CD Frame

This instructable will teach you how to make your own frame made out of cardboard and broken up CDs.

To build this frame, you will need:

• Glue/tape/other adhesive. For this, I used super glue.
• Tape measure
• Scissors/boxcutter/knife
  • I find that a single blade knife works best, because depending on how your piece is (as if it is a box with flaps to be cut), scissors may be awkward
  • Scissors worked for me when I cut the CDs
• CDs/DVDs (At least 5 are needed for this size frame)
• Protective eyewear (for when the CDs are being cut)
• Cardboard (I used a standard cardboard mailing box)

• The frame here is 16 x 8.5 inches.

Cut a piece of cardboard that fits the measurements of 16 x 8.5 inches.

Use the tape measure to measure once inch into the rectangle and mark it with a pencil. Do this on all four sides.

Then, cut along the mark the length and width of the rectangle. This will "hollow out" your piece, making the barebones frame.

It is a good idea to have something under the piece you are cutting to prevent damage to the surface you are working on.

Take one CD at a time and cut it in half. This is best done with several smaller cuts as opposed to one strong cut, meant to split the CD in one half.

Doing several gradual cuts, making your way through the CD, prevents damage to the scissors and "shrapnel" that may fly during the cutting.

Cut the two halves into two more halves, and then those smaller pieces into halves.

In total, one CD should yield 8 pieces.

Repeat steps 4 and 5 until you have 40 pieces (5 full CDs).

For this frame, I arranged them as alternating directions. This is not necessary, and can be altered to fit what you want. For example, the fragments can be placed in no order at all for a more chaotic look. Some will most likely have to be slightly overlapping.

I found that placing glue on the CD was more effective than glue on the frame. Moderate pressure should be placed down on the CD to ensure that the glue sticks.

Continue gluing the CD fragments to the frame. You may have to improvise on the edges, as the pieces may not fit exactly.

This was done by simply gluing the top edge of the "canvas" to the back of the frame. Apply moderate pressure for a brief period, working your way around the frame.