DIY Dowel Rod Frames For Your Children’s Artwork
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Use these fun and attractive dowel rod frames to display your children’s artwork, posters, large photos, wall art, vintage illustrations and more!
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Hello, Kenarry readers! I’m Pam from The Birch Cottage and I’m back again this month sharing another easy DIY project with you. These easy DIY Dowel Rod Frames were inspired by wooden frames you see at Anthropologie and Urban Outfitters; only these DIY dowel rod frames are an easy and inexpensive alternative.
Display Children’s Artwork
We have twin three-year-old granddaughters that we absolutely adore. They are budding little artists and musicians. These girls are so fun and they have their Pawpaw wrapped around their little fingers.
Well, for Valentine’s Day this year, the girls made us beautiful hand prints. We’ve received hand prints from them since they were tiny babies. I cherish these little hand prints.
You should have seen the girls gift us their paintings. They were so very proud! And they just knew we would love them. I mean, why wouldn’t we love whatever they made? And they also gave us some beautiful handmade cards. These girls (and their parents) are quite something and my inspiration for today’s easy DIY dowel rod frame tutorial.
See, I didn’t want to just hang their artwork on the refrigerator with magnets. I wanted to be able to display them like the masterpieces of art that they are. So, I got out my dowel rods and made some frames for them so I could display them proudly in our home. The girls haven’t seen their framed artwork yet, but just wait until they do. I’m sure they’ll approve!
How to Make Dowel Rod Frames
I think these dowel rod frames are the perfect way to display your children’s (and grandchildren’s) artwork. You can make custom frames to fit all sizes of art work, paintings, drawings, posters, photos and more! Of course, there are a few supplies you’ll need to get started. Let’s take a look.
Supplies:
Craft Tools Needed:
- Paper trimmer
- Drill
- Drill Bit
- Scissors
- Staple Gun
- Staples
- Glue Gun (optional)
- Glue Sticks (optional)
- Miter Saw
Supplies Needed:
- Artwork of your choosing
- Dowel Rods
- Stain or paint
- Eyelet Screws
- Twine
Instructions:
1. Trim Your Artwork
Before you cut your dowel rods to size, you want to trim your artwork, if necessary. You can use scissors or a paper trimmer. I use this paper trimmer all the time. It’s small, convenient and works incredibly well.
2. Prepare Dowel Rods
Next, you want to determine how wide you want your dowel rods. I wanted mine to be 10” wide, so I had my husband cut them to size using his miter saw. You can also have them cut at your favorite hardware store or use a hand saw.
Should you use square or round dowel rods for hanging posters?
The choice is up to you. You can use square or round dowel rods. I made one of each. I like the frames made with the square dowel rods the best.
Once you have your dowel rods cut to size, you’ll want to stain or paint them the color of your choice. I chose to use dark walnut stain. I simply wiped it on with an old rag, waited a few minutes and wiped off the excess.
Next, I drilled pilot holes in the ends of the top dowel rod. Since this wood is pretty thin (1/2”), I didn’t want it splitting when I put the eyelet screws in.
Then I screwed in one eyelet screw in the end of each top dowel rod.
TIP: Since we’re going to be attaching twine to the eyelets, make sure the opening is face down, as pictured below.
3. Attach Artwork
Since you have your dowel rods cut to size, stained and the eyelet screws in place, you’re ready to attach your artwork. I chose to attach my artwork using a staple gun. I simply placed the dowel rod on my table top, then lined the top of the artwork with the edge of the rod and stapled in place. Repeat for the bottom rod.
Staple Gun Alternative
If you don’t have a staple gun, you can always glue the artwork to the rod.
4. Attach Twine
Next, I cut two pieces of twine, each 36” long (one for each frame). Tie the twine onto one eyelet. Adjust the twine to your desired length and tie the twine onto the other eyelet. Trim off excess twine.
Now you’re ready to display your artwork!
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What’s Next?
Well, if you liked this easy DIY Dowel Rod Frame tutorial, you might also like these other ideas from The Birch Cottage. In fact, the vintage prints and the military creed prints would look lovely printed on nice cardstock and framed using the easy DIY Dowel Frames, don’t you think?
Vintage Fruit Tree Illustrations
Plus, you never have to look far to find even more DIY inspiration here on Ideas for the Home by Kenarry® –
- Turn a Picture Frame Into a Dry Erase Menu Board
- A Farmhouse Style Picture Frame Tutorial
- How to Make an Easy Beaded Picture Frame
While you’re at it, be sure to check out my DIY waterproof painted glass tutorial that I shared last month here on Ideas for the Home by Kenarry®.
These are so cool Pam! I need to do this with a giant map I want to hang on the wall for a client project.
Thanks, Jessica! I like the way the square dowel rods lay the best. Also, some people use 2 pieces of wood on each end so that the print is sandwiched between two pieces of wood. Would love to see your map if you create one!