With winter on its direct path toward us, I start to think about things I can give as gifts. Yes, there will enough of the generic gift giving, like gift cards, DVDs, and CDs but I still also take this time to think of some more personalized gifts. I love giving gifts that took some effort and care to create. Coming from a sentimental family with a silly-heart mentality, I can’t help but think of photo projects. There are plenty of things you can make by using basic craft supplies and picture frames.

First of all, go to your local craft store and pick up some art paper. Get a variety of colors, maybe some fabric with border designs, or cardstock and some clean drying glue, semi-permanent to permanent, not the grade school kind. Also, pick up an assortment of decorations. You can find this stuff probably in the scrapbooking section, though it can be used for any type of project.

Find a variety of wooden picture frames. Select from several  painted frames or buy wood stain and/or paint separately and apply it yourself. Cut the paper or other flexible fabric to fit the back edges of the frame.  You may leave the glass in to protect the paper or take it out to keep the paper texture more visible. Take the glue and apply it using a brush or popsicle stick to the flat back side of the wooden frame so that it leaves only a thin layering. Adhere the paper carefully so that it lays evenly on all four sides, the design side facing the front of the frame.

This is just one in a series of ideas. Try it out and see what you think of it.

Have you ever tried something a little different with your wooden picture frames? You can use picture frames for fun little home projects, not just to hang wall art. They’re actually cool looking around a number of items. After going through a few ideas you can get some creative ideas of your own.

Try using picture frames for chalk boards, dry erase boards, and/or poster boards for a message center. These are great for families that want somewhere quick and easy to leave messages like, “Dinner at 5. Be home soon,” or a place to list the weekly chores and to-do list. The picture frame gives the board something eclectic and fun. A white or black wooden frame would look the best, keeping in line the color palette of the board. If you’d prefer to use the board as a calendar, that’s fine too. decorative wood picture frames still keep it looking fun.

You can use large picture frames to hang atlases or maps. Make it even more fun by using pushpins of different colors to designate places you have been and places you want to go. The frame keeps the map safe but it also grounds it so that it’s not a crumpled mess every time you add a pushpin.

You can also make decorations for holidays. The frames are used more like a border around pop-out images and elements for fun holiday decor. Pick a simple frame that you can customize and paint so that you can get as creative as you want without feeling limited by having to match the already decorative frame.

Art frame stores and framing services are often quite expensive. You sometimes wonder how exactly they get those sky rocketed prices when you think to yourself that they’re basically ordering frames and framing accessories. Well, take into consideration that the frames themselves get costly if they have to order them from a third party. This is because with each party involved there will be a price increase for profit. To add to that you have to take shipping into consideration as well. Depending on the location of their supplier the shipping fees could be devastating.

My Frame Store avoids the hassle of the middle man by getting their frames directly from the manufacturers. This allows them to sell their high quality wooden picture frames at wholesale prices. You never have to worry that the particular style of frame you want will be obscenely priced. And, because they get them direct from the makers, they get new styles all the time. They have a large warehouse too so you also don’t have to worry that the wooden frame you want will not be in stock.

It’s a smart business tactic that allows My Frame Store to thrive while providing fantastic customer service and satisfaction.