A trip to the beach is sure to create some lasting memories. The feel of the sand between your toes, the smell of the ocean and the warm beach sunshine are things that must be experienced to be appreciated. But once your vacation is over, photos can bring those sensations back quickly.
Many beach goers file their pictures away in a shoebox or photo album somewhere and forget about them. Some place them in cheap frames or pin them up on a bulletin board to enjoy every day. But don’t your treasured beach photos deserve better than that? This beachwood photo holder will do them justice while serving as a nice decorative touch for any room.
To get started, you’ll need a large piece of driftwood found on the beach. It should be fairly flat and have plenty of character. The other supplies you’ll need include:
- Tacky glue
- Wooden clothespins
- Scrub brush
- Shells, starfish and other beach findings
- Drill
- Piece of strong twine, around a foot long
Instructions
1. Clean your driftwood with the scrub brush. Try to remove all debris while maintaining the original look of the wood.
2. Glue clothespins to the driftwood a few inches apart. Be sure to leave enough room for your photos. Gluing the clothespins at various angles adds a casual and whimsical touch.
3. Arrange embellishments such as seashells, starfish and beach glass as you like on the driftwood. Glue and let dry.
4. With a pencil, lightly mark the horizontal center of the photo holder about a half inch from the top. Then measure and mark 4 inches to the right of the center and 4 inches to the left of the center.
5. Drill holes in the last two spots you marked. Tie one end of the twine through each hole to make a hanger.
Tips
* If you used a heavy piece of wood, you may need something stronger than twine to hold it up. Try straightening out a wire coat hanger, bending it in the middle and hooking it through the holes.
* If you want to preserve the rustic look of the driftwood, it’s best to leave it unpainted. But if you want to make it match your décor, add a coat of paint in a muted color.
* Artistic types could paint a beach scene on the photo holder before adding clothespins and other embellishments. Use your photos for inspiration.
* If you prefer a collage, omit the clothespins. Cut your photos into various shapes and stick them to the driftwood with Mod Podge. Let dry, then cover with another coat of Mod Podge before adding three-dimensional embellishments.
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