Put those found treasures on display with this upcycled keepsake picture frame idea using EasySculpt Epoxy and your favorite beachcoming finds.
One-of-a-Kind Upcycled Keepsake Picture Frame
One of my favorite things to do on any beach vacation is to collect all sorts of beachy treasures like seaglass, seashells, sand, pebbles and driftwood. You can see all the many ways we use our finds in our crafts just by heading to our beach decor project library. From rock’n picture frames to driftwood wreaths, trees and ornaments, we are never short on ideas for making with our collection.
Using the modeling clay epoxy makes it really easy to layer on the different pieces in a range of textures and sizes. It even works for small grains of sand!
Materials Needed:
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- EasySculpt Epoxy Modeling Clay
- Gold 8×10 photo frame (size and finish of your choice)
- Embellishments such as sea glass, shells, pebbles and white sand
- A release agent such as vegetable oil, olive oil or Castin’ Craft Mold Release and Conditioner
- Gloves, wooden craft sticks
How to Make Keepsake Picture Frame with EasySculpt Epoxy:
Protect your working surface with a sheet of material such as a paper bag or wax paper. Be sure to read all the instructions in the box prior to starting working with the EasySculpt.
Work in a well ventilated area wearing gloves.
Disassemble and thoroughly clean the photo frame and glass, and all the beachy embellishments. Let dry completely.
To mix the EasySculpt, scoop out equal parts of the two components using two wooden sticks (avoid cross-mixing the materials in the containers).
Spread a bit of the release agent on your gloves to keep the keep the clay from sticking to them. Completely blend the two components together until a consistent colour is achieved (no ribbons or marbling; about 1-2 minutes). Depending on the size of your frame, you may want to work in small batches – I mixed up three separate batches for my photo frame.
Separate the clay into four small balls and place them on different sections of the frame.
Push the clay around to cover the surface of the frame as much as possible. Try and work quickly as the clay gets really sticky and will be difficult to work with after about 15 minutes.
Continue with the next batch until you’ve covered most of the frame. I left areas of my frame exposed as the gold edges looked really pretty against the stones, shells and sand.
Adding the Embellishments
Start assembling your embellishments. We started with the seashells, then pebbles, then filled in any gaps with the green and white sea glass pieces for a mosaic effect.
Finally, pour some white decorative sand over the entire surface. It will adhere to the clay but fall off the other areas of the frame. Let cure fully overnight and then shake off and discard any loose sand.
I love the look of this finished frame and I have the perfect to display inside…it’s a photo of my girls enjoying the beach on one of our memorable family vacations.
Depending on which found treasures you use to make your keepsake picture frame, it too will be uniquely one of a kind and special. What sort of things do you like to collect on your family vacations? This craft originally appeared in the Resin Crafts Blog project gallery.
More EasySculpt DIY Project Ideas
For additional ideas using EasySculpt, check out these creative projects:
Garden Markers 
Faux Beach Pebble Bracelet
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Beachcomber’s Picture Frame with EasySculpt Epoxy
Materials
- EasySculpt Epoxy Modeling Clay
- Gold 8×10 photo frame size and finish of your choice
- Embellishments such as sea glass, shells, pebbles and white sand
- A release agent such as vegetable oil, olive oil or Castin’ Craft Mold Release and Conditioner
- Gloves wooden craft sticks
Instructions
- Disassemble and thoroughly clean the photo frame and glass, and all the beachy embellishments. Let dry completely.
- To mix the EasySculpt, scoop out equal parts of the two components using two wooden sticks (avoid cross-mixing the materials in the containers).
- Spread a bit of the release agent on your gloves to keep the keep the clay from sticking to them. Completely blend the two components together until a consistent colour is achieved (no ribbons or marbling; about 1-2 minutes).
- Separate the clay into four small balls and place them on different sections of the frame.
- Push the clay around to cover the surface of the frame as much as possible.
- Continue with the next batch until you’ve covered most of the frame.
- Start assembling your embellishments. We started with the seashells, then pebbles, then filled in any gaps with the green and white sea glass pieces for a mosaic effect.
- Finally, pour some white decorative sand over the entire surface. It will adhere to the clay but fall off the other areas of the frame. Let cure fully overnight and then shake off and discard any loose sand.