Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Etsy and Thrifty Gifty #4—Framed Artwork

Joining Melissa's Holiday Linky at the Inspired Room.

Homebody Market, my etsy shop, is open!! Until I get the hang of it, it’s taking me a long time (like, 30 minutes) to list each item, so there are only a few right now. I have a lot more stuff, though, and I will continue listing them in the upcoming days, so check back often. Think of me as your personal thrift store shopper!
On to my series…..

This one is about as easy as it can get. All you need are frames from the thrift store, spray paint, and your child(ren)’s artwork. This is a great gift for grandparents or daddy, for his office.

Frames are one thing I regularly look for on my thrift store rounds. I pay anywhere from $1-$3 each, and try to find them with glass and backing (these were prepped for spray paint).

You can spray them any color you like, or that would go with the recipient’s decor. I like black, as it really makes the artwork pop.

Here is my “gallery” last year when I first put it up. Often artwork that comes home from school already has a mat of some sort. If it doesn’t, and you need one (and your frame didn’t come with one), you can of course buy the real thing, but that would really add to the cost of this project. The cheap way would be to mount the art on a piece of poster board or something along those lines.

Today I finally changed out the artwork, and one frame.

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It’s quite amazing how really good, impressive, even, school artwork looks in a frame!

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If your child isn’t in school, you can either let them have at it, or you can guide the project just a bit by giving them the paper and mediums/colors you want them to use.

Be sure to mark the back of your child’s masterpiece with name, age, and date!

This is one of those things that costs very little, but grandparents love! The frame takes it up a big notch from a magnet on the fridge, and for $2-3, you’ve got a great gift!

Happy Thanksgiving! I’ll be taking a break tomorrow while I enjoy the day with friends and family! Have a great weekend!

12 comments:

Expressions by Heather said...

We did this one year for my step-mom, who is an artist. My son had painted a really cool lilac bush using an eraser to use both dots and streaks. She loved it!

This past summer, she entered it into her local art fair in the kids division, and Chris won best of show for his age!

I keep an eye out on all the artwork that comes home now.

cindy said...

This is a GREAT idea, and one I will be doing after the holidays...my little busy bees bring home so many pieces that just end up hanging on the fridge til they're almost destroyed, I'd love to give them a 'place of honor'. Thanks for the inspiration :)

Sherri said...

Mine are long over the colorful artwork stage. My baby is a Senior in HS this year. I love the idea! My son, yearssss ago won an award for his artwork in elem. school. I think I still have that item somewhere. Need to find it and frame it!

Unknown said...

I noticed you opened an Etsy Shop. I have been thinking of opening one. I do the same thing you do. I love going to the thrift and finding things that remind me of my Gramma. I just can't keep all of it. You encourage me.
Happy Thanksgiving!

Amber said...

Very cute. I'm a big fan of the under-mount-picture-mat. I love to buy Ikea's RAM frames, which are only about $1.50. They're an odd size, but toss some black or colored cardstock in there and no one knows! Plus, they come totally ready for primer and paint!

Country Wings in Phoenix said...

Hi Holly...
I was blog hopping this morning and found your blog. It is so beautiful. I love the idea of the frames and wall art. I have (7) grandkids so this will be fun. I could run their art down my hall wall and they could enjoy it when they come each time.

I loved the little tutorial you did on recycling the sweaters into stockings. I am going to use that one, even the pillows and the ruffles for pillows.

Sweetie you have so much information to share. I have signed up to follow your blog. Please pop over and say hi. I would be so honored if you would sign up to follow mine as well.

Have a Happy Thanksgiving.

Country hugs...Sherry

Lucy Marie said...

I love this idea. I always love seeing framed children's artwork in my friend's home. And I'm sure you have lots of gorgeous pieces in your house - I've seen some of the things that your kids have drawn at the Whitfields

This is definitely something I plan to do for gifts for our parents once we have children, but for now, something tells me they wouldn't cherish a frame drawing of stick figures from me or from their grand dog! ha ha ha

autumn said...

I adore thrift store frames! Some of my most fabulous frames have come from thrift stores...it's getting a lot harder to find them, but I am always on the lookout! Thanks for the cute ideas. I have never seen your blog before today. LOVE the suede pillows with the ruffles. I totally should have saved my collection of early 90's suede skirts. I'd have some awesome pillows right now. (of course, a few of them would be teal and purple...)

Roeshel said...

Great idea Holly - I'm catching up. So much to read! ;)

Happy Thanksgiving!

Roeshel

Christina said...

Yet again I am so behind in reading blogs, but I wanted to stop in and say Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.

Hope you have a wonderful day!

Anonymous said...

I really love your Etsy store --- marvelous finds and great prices. I agree with you about how everything looks expensive and decorative when framed. Congrats again on your store! I hope it it hugely successful!

shelby said...

i just read your comment about meet me in st louis it's something like 5135 kensington ave 5133 or something like that. i love that movie.