Turn Picture Frames Into Faux Rusty Windows

Anyhoooos, those little windows were originally these boring and really cheap plastic picture frames.

I think we paid $5 for a set of three and honestly I have no idea why I bought them. But hey, they're perfect for making windows. And the tutorial couldn't be easier. All you need besides the plastic frames is:

• Coarse spice
• Popsicle sticks or wooden stirrers
• Wood glue
• Stapler
• Scissor or sharp craft knife
• Rusty chicken mesh (optional)
• Black, brown and orange craft paint. I used some of my Unicorn SPiT but any water based craft paint will work.

Start off by removing the glass and backing from the frames.

Place the stirrers or Popsicle sticks across the back of the frame and mark where to cut.

Wooden stirrers are really easy to cut with a pair of scissors or a craft knife. Just score along the mark and cut. Glue the stirrers to the back of the plastic frame and then apply glue randomly all over.

While the glue is still wet, sprinkle a little coarse spice all over.

Wait for the glue to dry. Mix a drop of brown paint with a little black and paint the frames, front and back. Wait for the paint to dry before lightly brushing on a layer of pure brown. You still want some of that brown/black to show through.

Once the frame is completely covered with brown and black paint and dry, mix up a small dollop of orange and brown paint.

Use an old toothbrush to speckle the frames with small splatters.

You should end up with rusty frames. It does help to have a piece of rust nearby to double check. We have a whole bunch of rusty ceiling tiles that we use in our projects so I used that to check.

Pretty close right??!! Now all that's left to do is cut some chicken wire to size and staple it onto the back of the faux rusty picture errrhmm I mean window frame

And the rusty windows are ready to be used in craft projects or added to your decor. We hung ours on a window planter we made.

Don't you just love how they look against the double cracked paint effect on the planter? You can get that tutorial here.

I would love to know what you think of the rusty picture frame makeover? Have you repurposed any cheap picture frames. I still have one left and I would appreciate some more ideas.