20. Upcycled Junk Jewelry Photo Frame Accents
What This Idea Means
Turn standard modern photo frames into bespoke vintage treasures by building ornate jeweled corner clusters or full-rim accents out of upcycled broken earrings, rhinestone pins, and glass beads. They make ideal wedding or anniversary gifts.
How to Make It
- Select Frame: Choose a simple flat-faced wood or metal photo frame (5×7 or 8×10 inches). Remove glass and backing.
- De-Pin Jewelry: Remove backs from small-to-medium vintage rhinestone earrings, brooch ends, and metallic floral stampings.
- Design Corner Clusters: Arrange jewelry pieces in dense triangular fan shapes across diagonally opposing corners of the frame (top-left and bottom-right).
- Adhere Jewelry: Secure pieces in place using two-part clear epoxy, overlapping smaller rhinestone studs over larger filigree bases.
- Reassemble: Clean any stray glue strings, reinsert glass and picture, and secure the frame back.
Tips & Variations
- Tip: Clustering jewelry solely on opposing corners leaves portions of the original frame exposed, creating a balanced, modern-vintage look.
- Variation: Paint the photo frame matte black before adding all-clear crystal jewelry for a striking high-contrast finish.
What You Need
- Flat-faced photo frame (5×7 or 8×10 inches)
- Small-to-medium vintage earrings, brooches, & studs
- Two-part clear epoxy adhesive
- Flush wire cutters & tweezers
- Microfiber cleaning cloth
