A rocking frame

Hands-on time: 2 hours.
Total time: Add 8 hours for drying time of the paint and varnish, and 24 hours for the silicone adhesive to set.
Skill: Easy.
Cost estimate: $10.00 for materials (Price of frame not included, this frame was purchased at a garage sale for $2.00).

Materials & Tools

• Frame with flat borders (find them at garage sales, flea-markets, revamp an old one or purchase a new unpainted frame - I made this project with a frame that is 40 x 51 cm to fit a canvas of 30 x 40 cm)
• Sand paper and tack cloth
• Acrylic or latex paint (I used white)
• Satin varnish and a 5cm varnish paintbrush (varnish is optional for this project)
• Twigs or small branches in assorted lengths, cut longer than frame dimensions (you will need 6 small branches, available at some florists or pick some up on a nature walk)
• Measuring tape or ruler
• Gardening clippers or pruning shears
• Non-stretch cord or string (hemp or jute or whatever type you have handy around the home)
• Scissors
• Small nails and a hammer
• 2 packs of small round to oval shaped grey river rocks or pebbles (available at craft stores, florists, gift shops, and dollar stores)
• Clear silicone adhesive
• Small stick or tweezers (to place some of the smaller rocks into position)

Here's a simple summer frame project that really rocks! Create a free-spirited decorative frame by combining the simplicity of sticks and stones to compose a nature collage to accentuate modern to classic artwork with a touch of Zen.

A frame with flat borders of at least 10cm wide is recommended for this project. Make sure the frame is clean, dry, and well sanded. Remove the sanding dust with a tack cloth.

Paint the frame in white or any colour to coordinate with the colour of the rocks, the art work or your décor and let it dry for four hours. Then apply the varnish and let it dry. You can also paint the sticks white or in another colour if you wish. I left them natural to go with other natural wood items in the room where I've hung the frame.

Measure your frame, prepare and cut branches to desired lengths to place vertically and horizontally around the frame. Place the branches around the frame, moving them until you are pleased with the composition, intersecting them at the corners. Trim them again if needed.

With the string, tie the branches together at each of the corners, and finish with a secure knot. Once your branch frame is completed and solid, use small nails to hammer it into the desired position onto your wood frame at each corner.

Place all your stones on your work area, on a towel or on newsprint. This next step is like putting a puzzle together without a picture, but luckily Mother Nature has a way of making things fit together. Placing one stone at a time on the frame border, dab some clear silicone adhesive behind each stone and place it on the frame, and press the stone down for a second. Place all the stones to interconnect side by side all around the frame, under and around the sticks as well. You can use a small stick or tweezers to help you place the smaller rocks, or to push them under the branches. I can't express enough how easy it is to do this; somehow they just all interconnect.

When your masterpiece is completed, let the silicone adhesive set for 24 hours before hanging up the frame.

Place your art work in position at the back of the frame and secure it with small picture-frame nails. While I was placing the rocks onto the frame and a small heart shape rock grabbed my attention, so I added it to my art work.

Tips

• Make sure that you have a strong hook at the back of the frame to support the weight of the frame; the same applies to the hook you will affix onto the wall.

Variations

• You can substitute river rocks with seashells or flat glass beads in assorted colors to make a chic frame for teens' rooms, or they can make it themselves during their summer vacation. Make your frame your own using all sticks or all stones. Painting stones can give a frame a mod mosaic look. You can also substitute the cord or string with coloured wire for a contemporary look. Don't stop at frames for the indoors only; use the same concept to create a unique address plaque frame.