framing children's artwork?

Question

I'm doing a project with 50 kids - it's going to be a picture that will be a keepsake. The budget doesn't provide enough $ to be able to frame these. What can we do to them, cheaply to make them appear as though they are framed, or complete - ready to hang on the wall. (There is no money to purchase anything fancy - so mat board is out of the ? too.)

any ideas? thanks so much!

Answer 1

You didn't say the ages of the kids, so this may be too juvenile, but something that just occurred in my son's daycare.

Have each kid bring in an empty cereal box. You can cut the box to be a frame or even a shadow box if you wanted. Paint the box or cover it in construction paper.

For the "framed" area, you can decorate as you wish. For some unique ideas, try gluing buttons or painted noodles (uncooked of course) to the box. You just don't want it to be too heavy because the box may not support the weight when hung. Aluminum foil or crumpled tissue paper would work too for decorating the frame.

Glue a piece of yarn or string on the back of the box to be the hanger.

Another unique framing idea would be to use a disposable plate (paper or plastic) with an area cut out for the picture (depending on the size of the picture). Paint the plate (or use a colored plate if possible).

Good luck!

Answer 2

Framing indivdiually your best bet is to use something simple and homemade. Sticks, popsicle sticks, rocks, seashells, etc give the illusion of a frame. A hole puncher or tape and colored yarn could easily make it hangable. Could even have different styles of hanging material such as hemp, yarn, clear string. Elaminating them as well is cheap and effective way of participating and opens up the option of taping them on the back. All of these ideas encoporate the idea that the frame is part of the artwork itself and can even help to make some pictures come alive thru the frame.

If your goal is to frame several at a time, a cheap alternative for framing alot at once might be to get some clear plexiglass from Lowes or a hardware store. Should be able to get large pieces for under $20. Glass is also very cheap, but probably not the safest thing for a classroom of children.

Answer 3

Well, Oriental Trading Co. is really good at cheap prices in bulk, and they have a lot of things to choose from. Their website is http://www.orientaltrading.com

If that idea is still to high, then here are a few suggestions:

Use the wooden popcicle sticks that can be bought in bulk at most craft stores, or even Wal-Mart. Place them (using a hot glue gun would be best) on one side of the paper all the way around, and then do then turn the paper over and do the same thing on that side, just place the sticks in between where the ends of those on the other side are--this keep it from bending where the sticks end. Using a pipe cleaner or twine and a hole puncher you could easily make it hangable. The children could also paint the popcicle sticks -- it will add to their masterpeices.

If you have any left over construction paper, cutting this up and glueing around the edges will also make a nice border, or even a frame. There are scissors that cut in neat patterns that would look nice on the inside of said frame, and they can be found in any scrapbooking section of a store. Colored yarn also makes a nice way to hang the artwork (suggestion--if using yarn spray it with laquer or something that will stiffen it so it doesn't fray).

Another idea is to simply roll up the artwork and place a ribbon around it--this way the people who are receiving it can put it in whatever type of frame they choose.

I also found this website that has ideas (with instructions) on making home made frames http://familycrafts.about.com/od/pictureframes/

Good luck!!

Answer 4

You could amuse the kids by providing timber from pellets, from stationary shops, its quite good timber, dressed (smooth), and the shops are eager to dispose of it,
make simple butt together frames. Or a dad may cut 45 degree mitres on them.
As for the "canvas" go to a blind or curtain maker, they have heeps of offcuts. And you can paint over any material.
Where are you ?

Answer 5

Cut and glue cardstock to go around the pictures. It'll frame it and give it strength.

Answer 6

Even the frames could be a hand-maded and use cheap materials such as coloured paper, beans, pieces of wood etc..

Answer 7

You could mount the art work on cardstock, and then use black construction paper or card stock to frame them.

Answer 8

Go to [e-mail] or [e-mail]. They both carry almost anything you want.

Answer 9

paint sticks...are usually free..... yard sticks are very cheap...♥