DIY Frame With Chicken Wire for Pictures

This step by step guide will help you create a frame with chicken wire for pictures. 

OVERVIEW

• Estimated Completion Time: ~3 hours
• Experience Required: Low
• Tools Required: Staple Gun, Wire Cutters, Pliers, Sandpaper, Tape Measure
• Materials Required: Chicken Wire, Frame, Paint, Packing Tape, Fabric (optional)

STEP 1) Measure Up

• Measure the inner size of the frame with a tape measure.
• Make sure that you get enough mesh to cover the measured size. 

STEP 2) Ready the Frame

• Remove everything from the frame (glass or backing for example).
• Slightly sand it so it is ready for painting.

STEP 3) Paint the Frame

• Paint the wood by hand or spray paint and let it dry.
• If you would like, you can give it a second coat of paint, then let dry again.

STEP 4) Distress the Paint

• If you want to give it an aged look, you can distress it – sand it again to take some of the paint off.

STEP 5) Cut the Mesh

• Cut out a slightly bigger piece of the chicken wire than the size of the frame you previously measured.
• Use gloves and a wire cutter for the job.

STEP 6) Attach the First Side of the Mesh

• Start by securing one side of the mesh to the frame.
• Staple along the side from top to bottom at every second hole.

STEP 7) Attach the Top

• Once the side is done, attach the mesh along the top.
• By attaching in an L shape, you will be able to pull on the mesh to straighten it. 

STEP 8) Pull and Attach the Remaining Sides

• Pull on the mesh while attaching the remaining parts to make it taut.
• This will give enough strength to the wire to hold the photos.

STEP 9) Cover the Ends of the Mesh

• Cover the ends of the chicken wire with packing or sealing tape so they don’t poke out and damage anything.

STEP 10) Hang Your Pictures

• Once you are done, you can hang your pictures on the chicken wire with some clothespins.

TIPS

• You can add some fabric as backing.
• Staple the fabric to one of the sides and to the top of the frame.
• While stapling the bottom and the other side, pull on the material and staple as you go.