Make a Unique Picture Frame for Your Best Friend

Christmas is right around the corner, and if you are anything like me, my list keeps growing. This year, I decided to save money by making most of the gifts myself. This unique photo frame is what I crafted for my best friend, and I am sure that she is going to love it. You can make your own for less than ten dollars, and have a lot of fun designing your own one-of-a-kind picture frames. This is how it is done.

You will need:
A wooden photo frame
Metallic paint
Paintbrush
Pine cones
Seed beads
Beading Needle
Thread
Wood glue
White glue
Construction paper
Scissors
Glue gun
Old Newspaper

Step 1: Cover work area with newspaper. Remove the backing and glass from the wooden picture frame and set it aside so that they don't accidentally get painted. Paint the frame with the metallic paint of your choice, then set it aside and allow it to dry while you work on the embellishments that you will attach later.

Step 2: Disassemble the pine cones, starting at the bottom. Cut a 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch circle from the construction paper. Place a dot of wood glue on the construction paper circle. Arrange the "petals" of the pine cone on the circle to form flowers. You can make these as elaborate or as simple as you would like, depending on your preference. In the center of the pine cone flower, glue seed beads to form the center. Set the pine cone flowers aside and allow them to dry. Leaving the pine cone flowers to dry overnight will ensure that they are ready to handle.

Step 3: String the seed beads on a length of thread long enough to completely encircle the face of the frame. Apply a thin line of white glue around the ridge on the front of the frame. Lay the string of seed beads in the line of glue to form the border of the picture frame. This step can be repeated for additional grooves on the front of the frame. Let the glue dry before moving on to the next step.

Step 4: Once your pine cone flowers are dry, apply metallic paint to the edges.

Step 5: Using a glue gun, attach pine cone flowers to the frame in any pattern or arrangement that you desire.

Step 6: Re-assemble the frame, and you are ready to wrap this present for your best friend!

Wasn't that easy? To make this unique gift for your best friend even more special, include a favorite photo of the two of you in the picture frame. This is a one-of-a-kind, handmade gift that will be treasured for many years to come. Happy Holidays!