DIY Bobbin Frames In Spring Colors. Add an interesting bobbin or bead frame in a pretty spring color to display your favorite art on a gallery wall or any small space. These frames are so easy to create you’ll want to make more than one.
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Handcrafted Society
It’s time for our Handcrafted Society monthly get together hosted by Wendy of WM Design House, and guess what? We have some new friends joining the Handcrafted Society. I can hardly wait to see what everyone is going to create.
If you’re wondering what the Handcrafted Society is all about. Simply put, it’s a group of bloggers who share a love for handcrafted items. We challenge ourselves each month to take an assigned medium or theme to create whatever our heart desires.
This month we are working on wood spring projects. Sounds fun and intriguing, right? Be sure to check out all the links and photos at the end of my post of everyone participating this month!
DIY Bobbin Frames In Spring Colors
I’m a big admirer of bobbin or bead frames, and have been for a while now. Their uniqueness adds so much to a gallery wall or you can use them for a single piece of art. The problem for me, is that most of these frames I’m finding online are just a little out of my price range.
Many of the professional frames are made with bobbin or bead moulding, but I think the DIY versions are pretty good representations. If you admire them too, I show you how easy they are to make.
As with most of my projects there are always those trails and errors. So, I’m sharing the steps that work best for me.
Please note: While this project is very easy on the crafting scale, it will take time to complete as you work through the steps. For the best results follow the manufacture’s recommendations on safely and drying times on the products you use for this project.
By the way, this is a good project for recycling old frames if you have some that are plain with a flat surface.
Supplies
- simple flat wood frame
- half round wood balls or beads 12 mm, 20 mm and 1 inch
- super glue
- spray primer flat white
- paint
- small paint brush
- spray protective coat gloss
Instructions and Suggestions
First you’ll want to measure the width of your frame moulding to determine the size of the half round wood balls or beads you’ll need. Here’s an example of the sizes I’m using for this post.
I strongly suggest applying a coat of spray primer over your frame. One of my frames had a weird coating that made glueing the wood pieces difficult, so I went ahead and primed all of the frames.
Once the primer is completely dry, lay out your half round wood pieces around your frame. This will allow you to work on spacing before glueing them into place. Some of the wood pieces have imperfections that you may not want to use, and this allows you to sort them out.
To attach the wood pieces you can use a hot glue gun, however I found that Gorilla super glue works really well. You’ll have a few seconds to reposition the wood pieces, that you will not have using a hot glue gun.
When the glue is completely dry you are ready to start the painting process. Applying the spray primer over the wood pieces will save you time when hand painting. I suggest applying two to three coats of paint for complete coverage.
I chose to hand paint my frames, because I already had some Fusion mineral paint in spring colors that I wanted to use. If you want to speed up the paint process you can choose to use spray paint.
Last step is to apply a clear protective coat in a gloss finish to give your frame a professional shine. Click here for the product I’m using.
Variations For Frame Finishes
Notice the light blue and pink frames have a glossy protective coating, however you can use a matte or a statin protective coat on your frame. It’s all up to you, and what looks best in your home.
After finishing the pink and blue frames, I decided to use white enamel spray paint on the smallest frame. Spray paint works really well to get in between the small wood pieces.
To get a worn finish, use steel wool to lightly remove some of the paint. Clean the frame with a damp cloth, then apply a clear protective coat in a matte finish. I’m loving how only a small amount of the wood shows through giving the frame a vintage rustic look.
Colorful Frame Mats For Simple Art
The simple artwork I’m framing is for a guest bedroom where the grand littles like to play. For the rabbit watercolors in the blue frames, I’m covering the mats with a calico type print fabric in bright spring colors. The color and pattern really brightens up this side of the room, and call attention to the artwork.
Be sure to check out Thistle Key Lane’s Society6 storefront for these and other watercolors.
Since my granddaughter’s favorite color is pink, you can bet the the pink bobbin frame and pink fabric mat is destine for her. I painted this silly rabbit watercolor with glasses holding a book, and I hope she likes it! Now I have to come up with something for her brother.
I’m keeping the mat in the white bobbin frame a simple white. That way I can display the botanical watercolor with my blue transferware dishes in the kitchen.
For more makeover projects with paint click on my post Easy DIY Mirror Makeover.
Be sure to follow Thistle Key Lane on Pinterest, where the boards are up to date with my favorite seasonal projects!
Thank you so much for stopping by today and I hope you’ll give this DIY bobbin frame project a try. I’m so happy with how they look, and feel the frames are well worth the time and effort to create.
Keep scrolling to see what my Handcrafted Society friends are sharing today. All you have to do is click on the image or blog name to view their full post.
Cheers!
CoCo says
These frames are amazing, Michelle! I love all the different colors you chose and how you personalized each one too. Your artwork is just gorgeous and this project feels like the perfect way to highlight all the good things coming our way in Spring. Can’t wait to try this too – I love it! Hugs, CoCo
Michelle Meyer says
Thank you CoCo! I hope to make one more frame on a larger scale. 😊
sonatahomedesign says
You are always so clever, Michelle! These frames are so beautiful! I love the colors of the frames and the adorable patterned mats that frame the springtime images. Love everything about them! Pinned!
Michelle Meyer says
Thank you so much Missy! I love these HS challenges!
Donna Allen says
Michelle, these frames are the cutest ever! I am a fan of wood beads, so I love the look of the frames! The watercolor pictures, mats, and the colors of paint you used are so perfect for Spring! Thanks for the inspiration! Pinning now!
Michelle Meyer says
Thank you Donna for the sweet comments, and thanks for pinning as well!
annafromskylarkhouse says
Oh my goodness Michelle! These little frames are so cute and perfect for your granddaughters room. I love how you took these simple frames from “ho hum” to a completely custom look. The colors are lovely. Thanks for the inspiration!
Michelle Meyer says
Thanks so much Anna! I just fell in love with these soft colors and just had to create something with them.
Wendy McMonigle says
Michelle, these are simply the cutest frames!!! and the colors you chose were just perfect. I cannot wait to try them. I have pinned them for reference.
Michelle Meyer says
Thank you so much Wendy for hosting and organizing! I have no doubt your frames will look fabulous!
Tammy says
Michelle, your frames and the colors selected are beautiful. Love how you used fabric on the matts. It makes the rabbit artwork pop. Lovely project!
Michelle Meyer says
Thank you so much for stopping by Tammy!
Diane says
Oh my goodness Michelle!!! You are sooo talented. It shows in your crafts every time, but it rerallly shines in your fine artwork! I’m heading over to Society6, see you there.
These frames and with the mini calico prints. Absolutely precious.
Michelle Meyer says
Thank you so much Diane! I recently removed most of the artwork from Society6 and now working on fresh art for spring and summer.
Amy says
They are so cute! I need to make some for my granddaughter!
Michelle Meyer says
Thank you Amy! I’m sure your granddaughter will love them too!
Kim says
I love everything about these, Michelle! The frames are just beautiful and so creative!
Michelle Meyer says
Thank you so much my friend!
Julie Briones says
Such a clever and lovely spring DIY, Michelle! And love the easy tutorial! Thanks for sharing at Tuesday Turn About this past week! I’ll be featuring your post this week! Pinned!
Michelle Meyer says
Thank you so much sweet friend! I’ll be linking up again today!
creativelybeth says
GORGEOUS picture frames, Michelle, and I LOVE the floral mats <3
Don't forget to join us over at the Creatively Crafty Linky Party every Wednesday through Sunday
https://creativelybeth.com/creative-crafts-linky-party/
Followed and Pinned!
Creatively, Beth
Michelle Meyer says
Thank you so much Beth for the reminder. I just linked up at your party! 😊
creativelybeth says
Michelle,
These frames are just FABULOUS and I just LOVE the soft colors you selected. They will match all the Spring decor! We will be featuring you starting Wednesday at the Creatively Crafty Linky Party! Pinned and shared!
Creatively, Beth
Michelle Meyer says
Thank you so much for the feature Beth! Hugs!