Photo Holder Tutorial
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I am so happy to share this easy photo holder tutorial using scrap spindles and wire with you!
Read the entire article to see more great projects using bits and pieces.

Here’s a quick tutorial on how to make these darling photo holders:

Paint or decoupage wood scraps and add curly wires to make unique photo holders.

Supplies To Make Easy DIY Photo Holders
- scrapbooking paper
- wooden blocks (I used children’s building blocks)
- glue stick
- 16 gauge black tie wire
- Wire Cutters
- Needle Nose Pliers
- Random reclaimed items, bottles, spindles, etc
- not shown: drill, paper cutter (optional)
Use Scrapbooking Paper

Your paper will be adhered to the wooden block with a permanent glue stick or spray adhesive. Another option is contact paper with a pattern that matches your decor.
An Old Chair Spindle Curls Wire

I used 16 gauge dark annealed steel wire, needle-nose pliers (cutting and bending wire), and an old chair spindle (coiling wire).

I like using the old chair spindle because it narrows to a smaller diameter. Wrap the wire around 2 1/2 times.


Slide the coiled wire off of the spindle.

Use the needle-nosed pliers to grab the inner circle piece and twist it around to make your coil. Flatten the coil.

Because this is a do-it-yourself project, you’re in complete control of how tight your wire coil is and how many rotations it has.

Drill holes into your block of wood. Cut your scrapbooking paper and glue it around the wood block, then insert your coiled wire into the hole. Of course, you could also paint or stain your wooden blocks.
DIY Photo Holder

Colorful blocks: Do you like straight wires or curly wires? Wrap your wire around a Sharpie or pencil to achieve curly wires.

Chippy spindles, straight wires, or curly wires?
Vintage Bottle Wire Photo Holders

Small bottles can be easily found at thrift stores. Do you like the blue bottles best? It’s fun to experiment with how you wrap the wire around the bottles.

This rustic shadow box has always been one of my favorite projects. It displays a photo on an easy DIY photo holder!

Joan at Anything Goes has me looking at everything in a whole new way—anything and everything—and wondering if I can make that into a photo holder! Thanks, Joan, for the inspiration!
This is my favorite project. I can’t wait to try it. Again Gail, your creative talent is awesome. Gratefully, Albertie
Awww, thanks Alberta for your sweet comment! Happy crafting to you my friend!
gail
Those are so quirky and cute. 🙂
Thanks for checking out my photo holder tutorial. I kept the one in the shadow box. I wish had kept more.
gail
Just found your blog and it’s a now in my favorites. Love all your photo holders especially the vintage bottles,in particular the deep blue one.
Linda
I think they are so ADORABLE!!! I Hope to be Lucky to win!!!
Cute idea and so simple. Love it! My favorites are the ones made out of old spindles. I go for the antique look every time. And I like the curly wires the best. I think they add more visual interest. Hope I win!
Honestly, they are all so cute. I would rather be surprised and have you pick out one!
PS I am a follower.
I like them all! The colored blocks are probably my favorite though!
Just found your website. I’ve bookmarked it as a favorite! I love the vintage bottle ones.
Maybe I’ll win..
Deb
ardenpostma@aol.com
I fixed my blog so the title links now, sorry about the confusion!
Thanks for linking up at my place! Be sure to come back next week. If you think of it please link back so others can find me!
http://theshadesofpink.blogspot.com/2009/09/room-month-shade-tutorial.html
I LOOOOOVE THE BIRD PHOTO HOLDER!! SOO CUTE!
I’m a follower.. 🙂
Those vintage bottles are just too cute – love them! Congrats on your 100 followers!
I’m a follower too!
I love the spindles, both curly and straight! Thanks for linking up to Trash to Treasure Tuesday!
I just signed up to follow your blog. I love your photo holders and I like them all. However, the birds are very cute. Congrats on over 100 followers. I am happy to enter your giveaway too.Hugs, Jeanne
Thanks for the giveaway! I like the vintage bottles! I am already one of your new best friends (follower)!!
Love ’em!!
I really liked the spindles… Then I saw the bottles!
Fun pieces!!!
Somehow, I missed them yesterday, even though I’m following!
Hey Gail, got your message so I am leaving another comment to let you know that I blogged about this in my blog at http://pam-lifethroughmyeyes.blogspot.com/2009/09/okay-so-i-am-bit-unprepared-for-trash.html
Thanks…and I really do love your blog.
Pam
My favorite is the bottles! I LOVE that idea! I’ve seen the blocks and such, but haven’t seen them with bottles.
I am loving how you used the little glass bottles to make photo holders. I also love the colorful blocks, especially the one in the middle with three wires. It’s so fun and quirky. Great stuff!
Very cute. I am already a follower of yours, just recently but I love your blog. I have written my blog today with you in it, and you were posted in on my facebook page Pam Montgomery Jackson need a neat picture or card holder, maybe a place mat card holder for a party…check out this idea. http://myrepurposedlife.blogspot.com/2009/09/photo-holder-tutorial-and-giveaway.html
I really love the spindle ones. To neat. Great ideas here. Thanks.
Pam
Cute ideas! I love the vintage bottles.
Love the chippy spindles! – especially the one all the way to the left – super cute 🙂
These are so cute!
I also just added a post about your giveaway! -Jami
Thanks for the comment! I love the vintage bottles… and the spindles. I will definitely be following! -Jami
These are so cute! I have several old posts that I bet would work for this!! Hum…. gotta go find those!
blessings
mary
These are adorable. I like the coiled, and the blue bottles…and the spindles are very clever! Nice job!!
Congrats on your 100 followers..That’s too cool!
Ok I love the chippy spindles–cause I love all things shabby chic!!
Going to sign up as a follower right after this post!
Have a great week. Thanks for sharing.
using the spindle is a great idea.
Barbara jean
All the styles are cute, but the chippy spindles are definitely my style! I love them!! I have been a follower of your talent and will continue to be. I’m so happy for your over 100 followers celebrations, keep the inspiration going girl!
And of course I’m already a follower! and you already know my address, you wouldn’t even need to ask if I won ;). lol
I just LOVE the vintage bottle photo holders, mostly cause I love blue bottles!
Hope i win :)!
Congrats again and thanks for having such a great giveaway.
Rose
The black and white. So awesome! You should come by and link up at my link party!
http://theshadesofpink.blogspot.com/2009/09/room-month-shade-tutorial.html
I love the vintage bottles the best!
ps. I’m a follower
I love all of your great ideas! It is no wonder your blog is being displayed on so many other sites. Great job!
This will be posted in my side bar at
http://deedeescraftspot.blogspot.com
congrats on 100 followers they are hard to come by…great give away also…
I love, love , love the spindles and the bottles…very nice job..great tutorial also…
Of course I am a follower….love this place.