Thrift Store Clip Frame Makeover

March 26, 2022

This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you purchase something via one of my links, I may make a small commission.

Turn a thrift store clip frame into a home decor treasure to display family photos or place cards on your holiday table.

It's a quick and easy DIY!

This post is sponsored by Dixie Belle Paint

Ah spring.

How I love thee...let me count the ways.

Ok, I really don't need to count them, I know the ways.

The warmer weather and the beautiful colors.

There you go one, two.

And frankly, I'm really more about those beautiful pastel colors I see blooming outside my window.

Because, let's face it, in New York, warmer weather is always guaranteed in March or April...or even May.

The colors, however, are. Especially when I take control of the rainbow and add them to my view.

Yesterday's tablescape is a perfect example.

Lots of lovely springtime color there.

Those darling pink dishes, the dainty pink tea cups. The roses.

Oh yes, and my thrift store clip frames.

Don't tell the plates, but I think they're my favorite.

I found those old picture frames for a buck a piece at my local thrift store.

They were in great shape and cheap, they were just a bit tattered and worn. The old wood had definitely seen better days.

However, I knew that with a fresh coat of paint, and a little embellishment, those thrift store frames would look amazing.

Plus, it would be a fun DIY project to distract me from all the sheetrock dust.

Want to make some of your own? Great, here are the step by step instructions.

Thrift Store Clip Frame Makeover

Now, before we start with the process, you might want to know where can I find these clip frames?

I have to say that lately they seem to be everywhere.

I don't know if they were all the rage a few years ago and the fad has passed or what, but I've seen them at yard sales, my local Goodwill, the Salvation Army store, the Dollar Tree and even in the clearance aisles at the craft store.

Which is great, since if you have a collection of them, you can use repurpose them for a gallery wall, a cohesive photo display or on a table as place card holders or to clasp table numbers at a wedding or similar affair.

Or to make a Christmas button tree.

The possibilities are endless.

Now onto the DIY.

I started by removing the clips from the frames. I wasn't going to paint over them, so they had to come off.

Next, I cracked open a couple of jars of Dixie Belle Chalk Paint in Sea Glass and Soft Pink.

Then I painted it on to each frame, one coat at a time.

First pink, then blue.

When the paint was dry, I gave the frames a second coat.

One covered well enough, but the wood was so dry, I decided to go over it again. Just in case.

If I wanted a more rustic look, I could've stuck with the one.

The colors were totally gorgeous and perfect for spring. They looked great on their own, but I thought they'd be a bit more interesting if I added a little something extra.

Like a stencil. Dixie Belle's Basketweave to be exact.

Now, I know I'm always complaining about stencils and I try to avoid them whenever possible, but this one was so cute, I figured it was worth the trouble.

And turns out, it was no trouble at all. I guess sometimes it's all about the supplies.

I just laid the stencil down on the dry chalk paint and positioned it where I wanted it.

Then I used a small roller kit that I had leftover from testing all our wall paints and was done in a jiffy.

Using a roller to stencil is magic.

The trick is to make sure you have an even amount of paint spread on the roller. You don't want any heavy spots or it will create blobby spots on your project.

It will also bleed underneath the stencil.

Neither of those things is good.

Once I was satisfied with the coverage on my roller, I simply rolled over the stencil until the entire pattern was covered.

Then I carefully lifted the stencil away from the frame and I was done.

Well, with the blue one anyone.

But the pink stenciling went equally as well.

When everything was dry to the touch, I gathered the clips and screws and put them back on the frames.

Ready for me to add photos or name cards or printables to display.

Which I did.

Are you a fan of clip frames?

Hey there friend, before you go, why not pop over and visit my Do It Over Designer gals?

Ann from The Apple Street Cottage hosts a lovely hop every other month and today's the day.