| Photo Family Tree |
From "Ask DIY"
episode ADI-605 |
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Q: I recently received several albums full of old photos. How do I make a unique picture display so my kids can see all their relatives? A: (Debbie Stapley, Craft Expert) Why not create a photo family tree? Materials: Armature wire (six pieces cut to 2' each)
Rubber band
Brass 18-gauge wire
Tooling foil
Stylus or pencil
Scissors
Nail polish
Hot glue
Clothespins
- Gather the six pieces of armature wire and bind one end with a rubber band to temporarily hold in place.
- Then, wrap 18-gauge wire around the armature wires just about the rubber band. Turn sharp ends under the wire wrapping.
- Move a few inches up from the first band of 18-gauge wire. Wrap wiring around armature wires, then spread two of the armature wires away from the center bunch to resemble branches.
- Repeat process until three bands of 18-gauge wire have been wrapped around the armature wire bunch and 3 sets of branches have been extended.
- Bend branches into interesting shapes and curl ends (figure A) of all branches with fingers (even the very bottom).
- To create leaves, draw shapes onto tooling fool using stylus or dull pencil. Add details to leaves as desired, then use scissors to cut slightly outside the traced shapes.
- Paint leaves with old nail polish (or metallic paint) of your choice (figure B).
- Allow leaves to dry, then hot glue a clothespin to back of each leaf (after painting clothespins, if desired).
- After attaching the clothespin to leaf, add hot glue to leaf stem and wrap the stem around the branch.
- Repeat until all leaves have been added.
- Mount finished tree to wall and clip photos into place (figure C).
More Viewer Questions. . .
Q: Is there anything I can do to keep my hot glue gun from clogging up? A: I've never heard of that happening! The only thing I can think of is maybe your glue gun isn't heating up to melt all the glue inside. I suggest throwing it out and replacing it. They're fairly inexpensive.
Q: There are so many paint brushes at the craft stores. Which ones should I purchase to paint my granddaughter's dollhouse furniture.
A: If I were you, I'd get a nice variety. For larger areas, maybe up to 1-1/2", but you will need some very small ones for detail work. I'd suggest getting 5-6 different sizes depending on your budget.
Q: What is a reverse stencil effect?
A:The area around a shape is painted or stained, instead of the inside of the shape as in stenciling.
RESOURCES :
Decorating with Family Photographs: Creative Ways to Display Your Treasured Memories
Model: 0806942118
Author: Ryne Hazen
Treasures Forever: Crafts for Keeping Family Memories
Model: 1564968480
Author: Connie Sheerin
Armature Wire
Dick Blick Art Materials Company
Website: www.dickblick.com
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