Upcycled Photo Frame: Easy Keepsake Gift

This was a thrift shop find. A little pewter photo frame that really needed a makeover. I decided to turn it into a keepsake frame to display a ring that I wear often, but not every day. 

You can try this with any frame, any shape, and any color combination; but the steps will be the same.

First remove the glass from the picture frame.
Replace the back onto the frame and trace around the inside of the entire frame onto the cardboard.

This is going to show you where your filling for the cushion must stay.

Then glue on your cushion filling. I used quilting poly-fill. You can use cotton balls, batting, foam, or your choice of material to make a pillowed area inside the frame. Make it as thick as you like as long as it stays within your drawn space.

Using your choice of fabric, cut enough of it to cover all of your back board and filling.

Apply glue around the cardboard on your space allowed and attach the fabric by pressing it together. (I used hot glue. It's quick.)

Then trim off your excess fabric all around the edges of the backboard.

Then you should be able to put the frame back on.

I decided to use up some pearl beads from a broken necklace to decorate the frame. You can use rhinestones, buttons, odds and ends jewelry pieces, letter, numbers... anything that suits your style and frame. I used hot glue to attach the beads throughout the roses on this frame. You can use super glue, wood glue, or what have you to work with your frame material.

I chose a decorative beaded head straight pin with an added bead to use as a hook to hang things on. You can decorate your straight pin with any decor glued on to match your theme.

It's easy to move the pin as you need to for different items you wish to display. The frame is now very much like a pin cushion.

It adjusts easily for any thickness that you need. From thin rings to thick ones.

Here, I stuck a bunny brooch through the cushion. It's somewhat an art piece on its own.

You can also sew on a ribbon for tying items on. Maybe for baby's first haircut, rattle or first spoon? A special pendant, college piece of memorabilia or military pins? Larger frames could hold a collection of items like winning prized ribbons from sports, 4H showings or any other competitions. This could even be a Christmas ornament with a hanger attached. There are so many options.

I'm looking for small round and oval frames for the same purpose. Those shapes would be very attractive with this technique.