Wire Basket Photo Display

Ordinary wire baskets are a dime a dozen. You'll find them at dollar theme stores and discount department stores - even at yard sales. Simplistic wire baskets, without many embellishments, can become fabulous photo displays that you make in no time.

The size of pictures you'll use for your basket will be determined by the size of basket you have. Wallet size photos may work perfectly for small baskets but larger baskets may hold up to a 5x7" photo. Measure the long side of the basket to determine how many photos it will hold if the photos are side-by-side. You'll need twice that many since there are two long sides to the basket. Now measure one short side of the basket to see how many photos it will hold. Take that number times two, since there are two short sides, and add that number with the original number, to discover just how many photos the basket will hold altogether.

The design you have in mind may be different. Perhaps you will set the basket in a way that will only allow you to display one side. For this reason you may opt to add photos to only one side of the basket. The design is all your own.

To get started laminate the pictures you will be using for the basket. Trim, leaving a quarter inch of laminate around the photo itself. Purchase tiny craft rings so that you can attach the pictures to the basket. The rings are found in various sizes, and in color choices like silver or gold, at any craft store or store that sells jewelry-making hardware. They are inexpensive and come in a pack of many.

You'll need a pair of needle nose pliers to attach the pictures to the basket. Simply poke a hole in the laminate, on the side at the top and bottom, and do this to each side. Large pictures may require three holes; small ones only one hole on each side.

For a wallet size photo poke one hole at the top side, and one hole at the bottom side, and do this to each side of the photo. Using the pliers separate the ring so that you can slide it through the holes. Slide the rings into all four holes then align the picture on the basket. Use the pliers to grip the wire basket with the rings. After snapping all four rings onto the basket, move onto the next photo.

You can butt the photos together, separate them, or even add additional embellishments to the basket. Try a photo, then a space, then another photo. You can use pictures of things you like, such as lighthouses or beach scenes, instead of family photos if you wish.

Another way to add the photos to the wire basket is to first place them in lightweight frames. Wire or glue the frames directly to the basket to create a completely different look.

The photo wire basket is easy to make and you'll rarely see one like it. They make great gifts and it's simple to create a particular theme for a particular person. Family photos, post card pictures cut to size, or even pictures from magazines work great.

It's important to laminate the pictures so you'll have a place to attach the metal rings and to protect the photos themselves. To give them more strength you can also place a piece of cardboard behind the photo before laminating.

Got a wire basket in your house right now? Then get started! You'll love creating these cute baskets that look much more expensive than they really are!