DIY art under for under $50

Cheap art is hard to come by. I've been wanting to add a large piece in our dinning room, but I: 1. Can't afford much and 2. Couldn't find just the right thing, so when I came across these digital scrapbook stamps my mind got to work.

As a self employed, home owning, scooter-payment-making girl, thriftiness is a game I enjoy playing. 

{thrifted frames}

My first mission was to find the frames. I knew that I could save money and especially time by buying the frames from second hand shops and then fitting the digital art to the size of the frame. I didn't want to be stuck with a print size that I couldn't find a cheap frame for after all.

I got lucky by finding all my frames in 1 shop. They had a good selection that day of different sizes in similar looking all-wood frames. Tip: be sure  they are sturdy and all made of the same material for a coherent look.

{Painting process}

Next I removed all the glass and backings: a pretty easy job with a screwdriver in hand. And out the door they went for 3 coats of paint. Because I was going from wood of all different shades to black I did 1 coat of a black primer and 2 coats black semi-gloss. Tip: The key to a good spray job is several light coats rather than 1 or 2 thick gloppy ones.

Once they were dry (only about 20 minutes because it was a nice day with a slight breeze), I headed up to our local art supply store and picked up some mat board. To save more money I went with pre-cut sizes on all but one. I ended up paying $6 to have a custom mat made for the rectangle frame and $6 more for custom cut glass. Tip: It's a good idea to double check that all your frames have glass in them if buying second hand. I made the mistake of buying my rectangle frame without, so the project cost an unnecessary $6 extra for that. 

{mats and layout}

Before designing your art I'd suggest laying out your frames. This step will help you determine how to layout the digital stamps. Then go ahead and play with your art. I ended up putting the foliage on digital paper backgrounds to add some color and depth. Because of the size of these guys I used a digital scrapbook printing service. They arrived at my door in no time flat.

{nail map}

Lastly I used this nifty trick to hang the set. Take a large piece of paper and place your frames on top. Trace the boarders and then measure and mark the placement of each hanger. Place on the wall where you like it, being sure to level it. Then simply put a nail in the wall at each marking, remove the paper, and brag to your fiance about how you had perfect placement of each nail and didn't even once have to pull nails out and damage the walls with misplaced holes. Ok that last part might be just for me, but even I was impressed with how well this technique works!

{done!!}

Cost Breakdown

Frames: $3.50 for 9 (1/2 off day!!)

Spray paint: Free... found in garage from previous projects

Digital Stamps and Paper: $16

Glass and Mats: $19.05 (thanks to some great coupons)

Printing of art: $10.97

Total cost for some one of a kind art: $49.52!!

Comments

[Motherhood]

I love this project! The frames look great! I really enjoyed looking around your blog! What great ideas!!
*Eliza’s blog*

[Katherine @ Grass Stains]

I LOVE it! I used a similar method for hanging plates on my kitchen walls earlier in the year, and it worked like a charm. I am wanting to do a photographic grouping, too, and you've inspired me to get started!

[Fawn]

Looks great! Actually, tonight I'm getting ready to do a similar project, only I found a botanical prints book at a second-hand bookstore that I'll use for the prints. I'm excited to see how it turns out, because yours looks great!!!

[TanyaLea]

Hey...how did you learn about that trick?! ...GREAT JOB! It's a trick us home stagers have been using for years...and it works perfectly!! The prints worked great and your project looks fantastic up on your wall!

I love thrify people...especially when they are as artistic and creative as YOU...and it doesn't 'look' thrify! I ordered you a little something for your birthday, that made me think of you when I seen it...it will be in the mail to you as soon as it arrives! Nothing big...but still fun! :) Hopefully it will be in soon. I'll give you a heads-up when I send it, so that you can be on the watch for it.

Keep posting your projects... I LOVE them!! :)

Hugs,
~Tanya

[pam]

Jenna,

This is a great post! And a great project. I am thinking it could be done with dried ferns, leaves and flowers as well. Hour hanging syustem is brilliant! I worked with asn interior designer for years and they NEVER thought of this one! Your arrangement of the frames - great composition. This one is in my bookmarks - for AFTER the holidays!

[Katja]

Great project and I really like the way you've arranged the frames! I'm planning to do a little art wall in our bedroom but I have a hard time deciding which art to hang and how to arrange everything :)

Also, I'm jealous of the inexpensive thrifted frames! Over here you end up paying at least $3.50 for one frame at a thrift store!