How to: Frame a picture

I love to find old frames, stick something meaningful in them and have a new piece of "artwork" for the house.  If you buy a frame today, a lot have pieces on the back that just can be bent in and out easily to slip in a new picture.  But not these frames, which are at least 50 years old!

I had a stack of old frames my Pop-pop had made and wanted to reuse them; he framed pieces of needlework my grandmother made and they were put together the "real" way: with glazing points (or glazier points).  These are the same pieces used to install glass into windows, just a bit tinier.  The old ones I took out were triangular pieces of metal with a sharp point.  The news one I got at Lowe's were a lot nicer and easier to work with. 

The first step is always to gather the supplies and tools you need; in this case, the frame, glazing points, a flat head screwdriver, cardboard and a sharp knife. 
Once I removed the old glazing points, I put in my new picture....and yes, if you're wondering, that is electrical tape I used to tape in the picture. Use what you have and what is handy!
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 Then I cut a piece of cardboard to fit snugly in the frame to keep the picture in place

Then, it was time to glaze.
The new glazing points come with a flat edge that you place the head of the screwdriver against: firmly push the point into the frame until the vertical edge of the point is flush with the frame.



me, and my unpainted nails!



 Since you are inserting the point between the rings of the wood, it slips in easier than you think it would.  Place enough points around the frame to keep it tight.

If you really want a finished, professional look, (my Pop-pop did, he was thorough!), you can cover the entire back of the frame in brown paper.  I was not patient enough, and wanted to finish my project, so, no paper today.
I was lucky to still have the picture hanger from the old frame, so I was all done.  If you need to add one though, it's an easy fix.

   What's fun, and we'll do this next, is to be able to pick out any time of moulding at the store you like and make your own frames, in custom sizes just for your art!  Glass can be cut to size at a frame or glass shop; now you know how to glaze the glass and finish it off, you can frame anything you want. 

This is one small part of a larger project; I'm almost done, and I'm so excited to finish and be able to share it!