Update Picture Frames with Leather Belts

Leather belts are the perfect way to update old picture frames. You can use any real leather or good looking faux leather belt to remake and repurpose inexpensive and old looking frames in no time!

To Update Existing Picture Frames With Leather Belts You Will Need:

Old Picture Frames

Scissors

Leather Belts

Nails or Tacks

Glue

To get started you want to measure how tall and wide the frame is on the frame. Yes, that does read funny, but you do not need to know what size photo it will hold, but the actual size of the four sides.

Now, cut out one strip of leather belt to the same length as each side. You will trim to custom fit in a second.

Tip: Consider how wide the wood frame pieces are. It is a great idea to use a belt that is a similar width. Fr instance, it does not look so great to use a skinny belt on a super wide frame.

Now, take each strip and bevel the ends. You are basically cutting a forty five degree angle so they fit together like the original frames.

Simply lay a ruler on the edges and make a straight line to mark the 45 degree angle. Use scissors to trim the small end piece off.

Line up all four pieces of leather ot make sure the leather corners now fit together in a square.

Tae your photo frame apart. You want to lay the wood or plastic frame on a fat surface.

Run a bead of epoxy glue or hot glue along the top sides of the frame. Take your strips of leather belt and press them into place on the front of the frame.

Let this glue dry for 24 hours.

Now, here is a fun way to customize your leather frames: Try using small ½ inc h or ¼ inch finishing nails to tack the leather strips of belt into place. This can only be accomplished on wood frames. Plastic and metal frames will crack or simply bend the small nails.

Other fun ideas for embellishing include cutting one of the pieces while the belt is buckled. This will allow you to use the belt buckle on the leather belt as embellishment on the frame!

This last idea is a great way to use a large western style belt buckle when you want to cerate a cowboy leather frame!