DIY Clothespin Picture Frame
Creative DIY you can make to decorate your home using ordinary wood clothespins. Repurposing some you may have laying around your house into a DIY clothespin picture frame is a fun way to display a photo or small piece of artwork. Clothespin picture frames also make great gifts.
I enjoy finding ways to use what I have to make new decorative items for my house and as a way to change up my current home decor. To upcycling thrift store frames to making over lamps.
I also didn’t want to buy anything new for my house for the changing season as I have plenty of stuff. Finding new ways to display and use it is a challenge I enjoy.
So instead I went in search of what I already own in my decorating and crafting stash to see what new decor I come up with.
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I found a few things, but after finding a bagful of spring-style wood clothespins that I never use, I decided to make a modern looking, yet rustic clothespin picture frame.
It was very easy and as I mentioned above, everything I needed to make it, I already had on hand.
Do you see the clothespins? There are 45 of them on the frame.
I removed the springs and then lined up and glued the halves of the clothespins in a repeating pattern on a board while leaving an empty spot for a picture.
Clothespin Picture Frame Size & Display Options
The nice thing about making this DIY clothespin picture frame is that you can customize it to fit a wall, a piece of art or your decorating style.
As well as overall choose a frame size, color, photo size and if you want to hang it on a wall or place on a table.
I used a piece of plywood cut to size to attach the clothespins to make my clothespin frame. Then I added an easel to the back to place on a tabletop,
Other Options to Consider:
- Attach picture hanging hardware to the back to hang a clothespin picture frame on a wall.
- Or as a third option – place on a mantel or shelf and simply lean the frame against a wall.
If You Don’t Have Plywood, You Can Use:
- The back easel piece from an existing or old picture frame you may have if it is the size frame you want to make. Most of these used without the original frame are made of chipboard and are sturdy enough to attach clothespins.
- Repurpose a tray or an old cabinet door as your base. Look around your house to see what you can find that is flat and large enough for what you want to frame.
How to Make a DIY Clothespin Picture Frame
Here are the easy step-by-step directions for making your own DIY clothespin picture frame.
You can make this clothespin picture frame any size you want.
To keep from having to cut the clothespins – lay them out first to see how many across and down will fit close to the size of finished frame you want. Then alter the size of your plywood or base to fit.
supplies needed:
My clothespin photo frame is 10-5/8″ high x 11-1/2″ wide with a center opening that is 3-3/4″ high x 5-1/8″.
For a more modern look, place the opening off-center to the upper right side.
Clothespins can be purchased at craft stores, hardware stores or the dollar store. I used 45 – 3″ sized ones, but the larger more common size clothespin is fine to use.
Frames with a separate easel back can be found at most thrift stores.
Time needed: 3 hours
Step-by-Step DIY Clothespin Picture Frame Tutorial
- Figure Out Picture Frame Size
Figure out clothespin layout. I placed the clothespins flat side down and all going one way on the first row.
For the next row, I then placed them in the opposite direction. I repeated this pattern until I reached the top of my board.
Note: You can arrange the clothespins in any pattern you like to create a different look.
- Cut Plywood or Backing
If using plywood or chipboard as a backing, use a saw to cut to the size needed.
If you have an easel that is attached to a chipboard back from an existing picture frame you are no longer using – you can use this as your base instead of plywood. - Choose an Easel
My easel from an old frame was too small to use as a base for the clothespins, so I attached it to the plywood cut to the size picture frame I wanted. - Glue Clothespins to Plywood
Take clothespins apart – the spring is not needed. - Paint Clothespins
Paint the clothespins as well as the open section for photo and sides of the plywood. Once paint is dry, paint the back of the frame.
Paint the easel. Let dry. - Sand Surface
Once paint is dry, for a distressed look, rub 100 grit sandpaper over the surface to remove some of the paint.
Make sure to rub over the side edges of the frame also.
- Attach Easel to Back of Your Frame
Use wood glue or white glue to attach easel to the back of the plywood. Hot glue will be too thick. Let dry.
Make sure you center the easel and place it so it leans back just a little.
The easel I used was smaller than the plywood, so I had to place it on the lower back of the frame.
If I placed it in the center – it would have made the frame lean back too much. - Place Photo in Center
Using glue dots or rolls of tape on the back of your photo, attach to the opening in the frame.
If not using an easel – place on a shelf and lean against a wall or attach picture hanging hardware to the back and hang on a wall.
Images to Consider Using In a Clothespin Frame
Photos of family, friends or from a vacation are always great to use in a picture frame, but also consider using Instagram pictures, the front of a greeting card or a postcard as your artwork.
If you like the photo of the hydrangeas I used. <— Use the link to get the free printable I made. Print it out on cardstock or photo paper.
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