DIY Map Monogram

DIY Map Monogram

Traveling to some far distant city, state, or country can happen in a whirlwind that leaves you breathless and wanting to go back immediately. There were so many things left undone and places unexplored. You try to take some of the magic back home with you in the form of souvenirs and photographs, but there is something missing. You need some representation of the place itself – a map. Looking at a map, you can remember where you traveled, the routes you took, and the landmarks seen. Why not transform your excitement for those fond memories into an art project?

 

A map monogram is the perfect way to share your adventurous spirit with all those who enter your home, office, etc. For this DIY project, you will need a monogram, a printed map of the chosen location, paint, scissors, glue, and painter’s tape.

 

  1. Gathering Supplies

The supplies needed for this project are not difficult to find. Most of them are available at your local arts and crafts store, if not your home.

  • The monogram should be a 3D foam, wood, or board cutout of the first letter of your name. (If you want, you could create a series of map letters to spell out your name.)
  • Paint can be any color and medium type from house paint to acrylics. Be sure to inquire to a salesperson if the paint will apply to the material of the monogram, or test it out yourself on a similar material.
  • The map may need to be printed off of a larger digital printer than what you may have at home, depending on the size of the monogram. It should be large enough to cover the entire letter.

 

  1. Painting the Monogram

You need not paint the entire monogram, only the sides of the letter. The map will cover the entire face. For something a little more complex, you can add horizontal or diagonal stripes to the sides of the monogram. Accomplish this by laying painter’s tape across the monogram prior to painting. When the paint is dry and the tape is removed, there will be a pattern of alternating white and colored stripes.

 

  1. Preparing the Map

If you have traveled to the location on your chosen map, you can personalize it with stars, stickers, highlights of the routes taken, etc.

 

Lay the map face down on a flat surface. Set the monogram face down on top of it. Is there a certain part of the map you definitely want showcased on the letter? Make sure the monogram covers it. Remember, the monogram does not need to be centered over the map.

 

Trace around the edges (and inside edges) of the letter. Cut out your traced map piece and make sure it matches the monogram.

 

  1. Adding the Map to the Monogram

Apply glue or spray adhesive over the face of the monogram, being careful not to expose the painted sides. Gently lower the map piece onto the glued face of the letter and, when it is centered, press down firmly. Allow to dry.

 

A map monogram is a unique way to commemorate a fun travel experience; it’s like transferring part of your scrapbook to a wall of your home. Adding some photos to the same wall can enhance the story told by your art project. Of course, those photographs will need great frames to accent your piece, so bring them into Frame Warehouse to find the perfect fit!

Thumbtack Art

thumbtack art

Everyone enjoys repurposing office supplies for the sake of art, and who hasn’t played with thumbtacks on the office idea board? Thumbtacks are actually a very versatile art medium, able to recreate art as complicated as a portrait or landscape through the theory of pointillism. Pointillism uses small dots of color and apply them to patterns that form a larger image.

 

While some artists choose to paint the heads of the thumbtacks specific color shades for more complicated pieces, our thumbtack art will require much less intricate detail while still maintaining that modern art flare. The following steps will help guide you in creating a one-of-a-kind thumbtack art design:

 

  1. Choose the Right Supplies

While you can use thumbtacks with tall, plastic heads, we recommend finding the kind with flat, metal heads instead. Metal thumbtacks are easier to work with and more durable. They will ensure the longevity of your design. In addition, metal thumbtacks have a subtle antique aesthetic that plastic thumbtacks lack.

 

A box frame canvas is likewise recommended for this project, as you will be reinforcing the back with cardboard. In the case of adding color to your canvas, you will also need spray or acrylic paint.

 

  1. Build Your Design

This is the most important step in the creation of your art piece. Sketch your design onto a piece of paper that is cut down to the exact size of your canvas. Graph paper is nice to use if your design includes words, as it can ensure level and same-sized letters. Cursive and foreign characters work especially well. If you are more artistically inclined, sketching a picture is also okay. Be aware that you will be replacing the lines with thumbtacks, so any kind of shading or more intricate lines may be difficult to convey. Simplicity is key.

 

  1. Prepare the Canvas

Your thumbtack design may look best on a white, unaltered canvas. However, it is more likely that a little bit of color will enhance your overall design. Consider what color your thumbtacks are; just about any color will work with silver or gold metal thumbtacks, so choose your favorite color or the color that goes best with your current decor! After you have chosen a color, spray paint your canvas and allow to dry. If you would prefer, you can paint the canvas with acrylics instead.

 

Reinforcing your canvas requires enough cardboard (in pieces or as a whole) to lay across the entire back surface of the canvas. Adhere the cardboard with brown packing tape or blue painter’s tape, whichever is available to you. This will give the thumbtacks something more sturdy to grip than the canvas alone.

 

  1. Imprint the Design

Lay your paper sketch over the top of the painted canvas. Secure it in place and use pressure to retrace the lines. The pressure will create an imprint in the canvas. The imprint doesn’t need to be easy to see. As long as you can follow the lines, the imprint is strong enough.

 

  1. Make an Impression

Remove the paper sketch and start tacking! Press each individual tack into the line impressions formed on the canvas, as close as they can be without touching. Don’t press them in too hard or the stretch on the canvas might “erase” the rest of your impression. Instead, wait until all of your design is tacked before ensuring they are pressed in firmly.

 

Way to harness your industrial art side! Now, it’s time to hang up your finished piece in your home or office. But before you do, consider Frame Warehouse for the perfect frame to showcase your work!

Lip Print

lipstick art

Sure, you’ve heard of leopard print and zebra print designs – but what about lip print? It’s far more unique and striking than your standard animal prints. After all, women are the most dangerous and exotic animals in the world. And what better way to add some sexy spice to your dorm room, bathroom, or even a salon?

 

For this art project, you will need a canvas or paper background, your favorite shade of lipstick, and most importantly – YOU! Feel free to invite friends. It’s a great sleepover or bachelorette party craft. And guys are welcome to join in, too!

 

  1. Choosing a Background

Depending on your budget and what you might already have at your disposal, you can choose any material for a background that you desire. Canvas board will hold up the best, but white paper will make the lipstick color pop more. If you use a simple piece of printer paper, you can test out a bunch of different colors and patterns at little expense to you. In fact, even if you choose to use canvas, it’s recommended to test out your lip print on the printer paper beforehand.

 

If you want to try something a bit less typical, purchase a sheet of clear plastic to use as a background in combination with a glass frame. That way, the color of the wall behind the lip print will be the backdrop for your creation. It will look as if you have kissed the glass frame or wall directly.

 

  1. Discovering Your Color Palette

Color is key. A lip print piece is ideally a bright and spunky design. Choose a background color that suits the lipstick color of choice. If you choose to apply multiple lipstick colors, make sure that all of them are complementary. The best result may arise from shades of the same tone. For instance, “blazing red” and “flaming orange” might suit each other in theory, but not on paper.

 

If utilizing a canvas, paint your chosen background color on the canvas and allow to dry. If utilizing paper, you should be able to find paper of your color choice. Black is not recommended. White or pastel pink works really well.

 

  1. Puckering Up

“Put your lips together like this and kiss.” – Sebastian from The Little Mermaid

 

Now for the fun and flirty part! Apply your lipstick a little bit thicker than normal. Instead of blotting the excess, pucker up and kiss your background canvas or paper. You may have to re-apply the lipstick after one or two kisses. You can choose to apply your lip print in a systematic pattern and try to make each kiss identical across the page; you can create chaotic spiraling patterns; or anything in-between! Give it to your honey or keep it for your own boudoir.

 

Once you are satisfied with you final lip print design, it’s time to clean up your materials and head to the store for a frame. Whether you need a simple frame or a transparent glass frame for your lip print, Frame Warehouse has the expertise to finish off your art project! Just remember to clean off the excess lipstick on your lips before you make the trip.

Displaying Musical Instruments

Guitar framing

There are many reasons you might want to display a musical instrument in your home or office. Perhaps your office itself is a music studio or maybe you are a band teacher at a local school. Did you or someone you know have a musical career? Do you proudly collect priceless musical treasures throughout history? Has music touched your life in a way that can only be expressed with a cherished piece of art?

 

If you desire to display your personal musical instrument or memorabilia for any space, take a look at the following tips:

 

  1. Consider the Space

Framing a whole musical instrument such as a guitar or trumpet might strike you as a fantastic idea, but this kind of project requires the right space. Unlike a painting and most other framed art, an instrument is 3-dimensional and can be very large. The framing of the piece may require something that looks more akin to a box than a typical flat frame. With that in mind, a music studio or small office may be better off with something smaller or flatter.

 

If you believe the piece will fit, experiment with the idea of wall placement. For instance, hanging it over a seating area or near a door at head height may cause your art admirers to sustain concussions.

 

  1. Fit the Purpose

Is the final piece for you or someone else? What is the decor of the chosen space where it will hang? Will you ever want to play the instrument again?

 

Framing something of an instrument’s magnitude and dimensions is more complex than framing canvas, etc. While a frame can be taken apart, a custom frame will not be as compliant. The instrument or memorabilia to be framed will not be accessible for everyday use. At the same time, it will be much better protected from dust, moisture, etc.

 

  1. Is Less Truly More?

While the idea of framing a whole musical instrument can be unique and beautiful, you might realize that it is not practical in the provided space. Or, if it’s a gift, you may not know if the recipient has the space for it either.

 

A great alternative to framing an instrument is framing a piece of one, something to represent the larger whole. For instance, instead of framing a whole guitar, you could frame and retire a few of your favorite picks. Instead of framing a snare drum, you could frame a pair of crossed drum sticks. You could get more creative with this idea, arranging the sticks, picks, strings, or a combination of musical instrument components into your name or the name of your favorite band.

 

  1. Matting Design

The mat behind the instrument or design should compliment the spirit of the piece. A contrasting background can enhance the 3-dimensional nature of the instrument. Black and white mats are sharper and more professional, but colored options bring more character to a boring wall. Another mat option is to use musical score paper.

 

  1. Plaque

If the musical instrument or memorabilia holds some significance, consider having a small plaque engraved with the instrument brand, who played it, what year or band, and any other way it’s significant. This way, admirers will know its story and meaning.

 

After you have assembled and arranged the pieces (musical instrument, mat, and plaque), all it needs is the perfect custom frame. Take the project into Frame Warehouse for a professional mounting and framing service. The experienced staff can help you complete your note-worthy vision.