Frame Screens for Unique Art Pieces
The picture frames you use for the framed screen art can be any size, any color or any style, but set aside the glass and backing. The frame itself is all you need to make the artwork. Small picture frames will look the nicest if you make a set of 2, 3 or more. Large picture frame art will need extra novelties and decor.
You don’t need to be any kind of artist to make the framed screen art pieces. Just take something you like, such as lighthouses, wrought iron pieces, foil shapes, craft arrowheads, or anything else that interests you, and make it the theme of the art.
Screening like the type that is used for most house windows is ideal for the art piece but screens with a larger grid are fine, too. Really thick wire screening won’t work well so make sure the screen you choose is made from fairly thin wires. Cut the screen piece to a fraction less than the perimeter of the picture frame. Paint the screen any color you wish, like white, silver or gold. Staple the screen to the backside of the picture frame.
There are so many thousands of pieces, or combination of pieces, that you can use as the image on the screen: a painted wooden horse or other animal, a small pot with flowers wired onto the screen, a ceramic scene of mini trees and wildlife, or just a large, interesting medallion.
Wire, glue or tie the piece onto the screen. New adhesives make it easy to attach metal, wood or ceramics to the metallic screening, but in some cases, it might be easier to simply wire the piece onto the screen. If you’re using a small to medium picture frame, one item is satisfactory, but if you’re creating a large framed screen, you could arrange an entire scene in the theme of your choice. Arrange letters to spell out your last name and hang by the front door, arrange a scene of tepees, horses and moccasins, or make it a Christmas scene with fir trees and spray-on snow.
You’ll find tons of things at a craft store that you can attach to the screen, or look around your house and find any number of interesting items. Ribbons or metals won by family members makes a nice screen art, as well as foil shapes, antique paper dolls, a little toy baby buggy, small stuffed animals, a statuette, a smaller picture frame with picture, the lid from an old metal tin, a small tool or two, a single brass monogram, an old sign, a painted wooden advertisement from long ago, or even a unique belt buckle. Even take it one step further and add a mini embellishment to one corner of the frame.
Flat items, like an antique comic book, a unique piece of wallpaper, a favorite poster, or an old label from a product no longer made, look great when caught between two pieces of the screen. This arrangement keeps the flat item flat, protects it, and makes a very interesting decor piece. Just center the flat item between two piece of screen before stapling the screen to the back of the picture frame.
Don’t have any screening? Try burlap or mesh instead. The framed art is so unique because each person makes it the way they want to, using the embellishments they have on hand. No two are ever alike unless you purposely make them that way. They’re fabulous gifts that look expensive but cost very little.
