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Paint Stick Photo Frame Craft and Free Printable

Sometimes it’s nice to mix up how we display our photos.  Thankfully today we have more options than just using traditional picture frames.  This easy Paint Stick Photo Frame Craft is a stylish way to display your favorite photos or printables.  But most importantly, it’s stylish AND inexpensive to make.

Paint Stick photo frame craft displaying a free printable.

Gina from Shabby Creek Cottage put out a little challenge and this month it’s a DIY Picture Frame.  Go to her project here and you’ll find the rest of the creative projects linked at the bottom.

I’ve been wanting to make something with paint sticks for quite a while.  Every time I was at Home Depot I’d pic up a 10-pack so I had plenty.

The ones you buy are much better quality than the free one’s at the paint counter and they’re only $0.98 for the pack.  I’m excited to show you this super easy project for displaying your pictures.

This post contains links to products, if you purchase something after clicking on my link I may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you).

Photo Frame Craft Supplies

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  • Lay out 8 paint sticks and line up the bottom edges against a ruler or other straight edge. 
  • Gently clamp one end and then the other just until the paint sticks come together.
Clamp together the paint sticks to start the photo frame craft.
  • Use the pull saw, or even a sharp box knife, to cut two more paint sticks about 7.5″ long.  These will hold your entire picture frame together.
  • Put a generous bead of hot glue on one of the cut paint sticks in an zig zag pattern the full width of the support stick.
When gluing the photo frame craft support zig zag the bead of hot glue.
  • Quickly center it across the 8 paint sticks about 1/2″ below the slots where the paint sticks meet.  Press firmly and hold for at least 30 seconds. 
  • Repeat with the second cut stick gluing the second one about 1″ from the bottom edge.
Photo frame craft paint sticks secured with support pieces.

Make it Pretty

Paint the front side of the paint sticks with metallic paint (or your favorite color).

For my paint stick photo frame I wanted to use the metallic cream paint I had because I love it and I still have a bunch left.  I received it from the company as part of a furniture flip contest I was in.  It’s also what I used to jazz up the knobs on my daughter’s nightstand makeover.

Photo frame craft getting a beautiful coat of metallic cream paint. Beautifying the paint sticks.

After the paint dries pretty up your photo frame craft with a cute stencil.  I bought a stencil when I made a drop cloth pillow and thought it would looked perfect.  I held it in place with tape while stenciled.

If you’ve never stenciled before you want to put some paint on the brush or sponge and then blot it around on a paper plate to remove most of the paint.  If you have too much on your brush it will glop on the edges of the stencil and might bleed under.

You can always go back over it again with more paint.  Less is more when it comes to stenciling.

Stenciling the paint stick photo frame craft with shimmery green paint.
  • I added a fun butterfly into the corner and then painted two tiny clothespins to hold the pictures.
  • After everything is dry attach the clothespins with a tiny bead of hot gun.

I measured the placement so there would be about 1″ above and below the picture, centering it under the slots between the paint sticks.  This is perfect for a 5×7 but you could place yours anywhere you want to display smaller pictures or notes.

If you want to hang your new paint stick photo frame attach a picture hanger to the back with a little more hot glue.  Or you can lean it against the wall on your desk, kitchen counter, or dresser.

I’m currently using mine in my kitchen to display this cute Spring Printable I made.

If you want this free printable you can sign up for my newsletter using the special link below (not the form at the end of the post) and you’ll receive an email with the download.

Paint Stick Photo Frame Craft on counter with free printable.

Free Printable Spring 2018

Click the image below to sign up for my newsletter and get the Free Printable displayed on my Paint Stick picture frame.

Paint Stick Photo Frame Craft free printable.

LOVE IT!!  PIN IT!!

Paint Stick Photo Frame Craft with free printable.

I hope you enjoyed this easy craft for making your own picture frame.  It doesn’t have to be expensive to be stylish.

Let me know if you’ve ever made your own picture frame in the comments below.  Or share a picture of yours on my Facebook Page.

Susie

Thursday 1st of February 2018

So clever and cute! You come up with the best ideas! Pinning for later.... Susie from The Chelsea Project

Toni | Small Home Soul

Sunday 18th of February 2018

Thanks Susie, this turned out better than I pictured it :)

Claire

Monday 29th of January 2018

The stencil is a really good idea, cute stencil too.

Toni Harvey

Tuesday 30th of January 2018

Thanks, I love that little stencil too :)

Denise Bryant

Monday 29th of January 2018

Very clever repurpose. I have pinned it for later.

Toni Harvey

Tuesday 30th of January 2018

Thank you Denise!

Anika

Monday 29th of January 2018

This is so cute!! I love that you used the paint sticks and those little key holes are just perfect!

Toni Harvey

Monday 29th of January 2018

Thanks Anika, I love those little key holes too! It's super light so you could probably even hang it from a T-pin or thumbtack if you want.