DIY Bobbin Frames Add A Touch Of Intricate Beauty To Your Wall Art

Bobbin frames are having a moment. If you're unfamiliar with this trending picture frame design, these visually pleasing frames are decorated with a single row of half-balls, roughly the same width as the frame itself, that continues around the entire frame. Sporting a coat of glossy paint in a mouthwatering color, these cute frames bring any photo or piece of art up to the minute. Given their popularity, it can be hard to find affordable bobbin frames, or even ones that are in stock. Instead, set aside some time in your calendar for a pleasant, low-skill DIY that will leave you with a custom bobbin frame without the high price tag or backorder wait.

For this craft, you'll need a flat-faced wooden picture frame with narrow trim. Why not make this project a creative way to repurpose an old picture frame? Purchase a package of unfinished half wood balls like these 1-inch-diameter ones from Amazon, making sure the diameter of the balls closely matches the width of the frame. Most bobbin frames tend to have thinner trim, about 1-inch wide, but nothing's stopping you from crafting one with a wider frame and larger balls. Amazon also carries 2-inch diameter half-balls, as well as 3-inch size ones on Amazon.

Other supplies to grab are a tube of wood glue, sandpaper, and a can of glossy or lacquer spray paint in whichever color you choose. Save a few more bucks with the cheapest spray paint at Home Depot, a surprisingly high-quality product for a shockingly low price. Prep a work space, and get ready for some satisfying crafting.

Start by giving your frame a once-over with sandpaper to help the paint and half-balls stick to its surface. You can rough up the flat back of the half-balls if you want in order to help them better adhere to the frame. Before starting the job of gluing, place the balls along the frame's trim to get an idea of how they'll be spaced. If you doubt your skills of eyeball-estimating where to glue the balls, you can trace around each ball with a pencil to be confident where to glue them. The half-balls on most bobbin frames are set close enough together that they touch.

Glue each half-ball to the frame, and let the glue dry. If you're not sure how long wood glue typically takes to dry, check out our guide that includes tips on speeding up the process. Spray the surface with a few coats of paint. Once the paint is no longer tacky, set your picture inside the frame and take in the finished look.

A repetitive task like gluing the half-balls for this project can be meditative. However, if you are sold on the DIY bobbin frame but you don't have the patience for gluing small pieces, you can still make your own bobbin frame. With nearly the same supplies and steps, you can substitute individual half balls for strips of bead molding like this product from Osborne Wood Products. Attach the strips to the frame with wood glue, top the combo with paint, and you've got an impatient person's version of a DIY bobbin frame.