We are all accustomed to seeing fine art photographs and paintings framed in ready made picture frames or custom picture frames. The picture frames help to set off the artwork so that it has a finished edge, and that edge helps to focus our vision into the center of the picture frames where the artwork lays. However, you can use ready made picture frames as a basis for a decorated frame, and to even create decorative and useful pieces from ready made pictures frames for use throughout the home.

Picture frames can be decorated in several different ways. One easy way is to paint the frame in any color that appeals to you and blends well in the environment where the artwork will hang. Both wood and metal frames may be painted. Another option is to gild a frame by taking thin sheets of gilding leaf and attaching it to the frame surface with sizing. A tip, which is a type of brush, is used to apply the gild leaf to the frame and smooth it into position. You could also use custom picture frames to frame pieces of mirror, which can then be placed in a bedroom or bathroom, or anywhere you need light to reflect, which makes any room feel larger than it actually is. Message boards may be crafted by covering the mount board with cork or fabric and placing them back inside the frame, for a customized look.

Some craft artists also like to decorate the frame with thin broken pottery, sea glass, seashells, colorful bottle caps or beads. Frames made of wood will work best for these sorts of projects. You can use china nippers to cut the china into small pieces, and then fit them onto the frame's surface. It works best to use the edges of plates rather than the centers, because the edges are flatter and easier to manipulate into position on the frame's surface. You can attach the china, shells or sea glass with glue or mortar, and the beads with glue, and you want to leave a little space in between each piece. After it is completely dry, you can mix up grout, and work it into the little cracks, let it set up for only a few minutes, and the wipe the surfaces of the china, glass or beads clean with a damp sponge.

You may want to hang your finished ready made picture frames or custom picture frames by using picture framing supplies like a hanging kit. You can also purchase picture frame kits that come with everything you need to frame your artwork, so you will not have to purchase individual picture framing supplies.

Picture frame kits and other supplies may be found in a wealth of different sizes from online picture frame suppliers.