What better way to capture those amazing summer memories than in a handmade picture frame with flickering fireflies swooping in and out of an embossed mason jar? Follow these simple steps below to make your own firefly DIY picture frame!
Supplies needed to make your own firefly DIY picture frame:
- Ready to Finish Memory Frame 9×7
- Core’dinations Vintage Collection Retro Mod Squad 12 x 12 Paper Pack
- 10 Bulb LED Battery Light Set
- Krylon® Adhesive Spray
- Darice® Mason Jar Embossing Folder
- Canson 9×12 Foundation Tracing Paper Pad
- Heavy Duty Professional Craft Glue Gun
- Darice® Dual-Ended Embossing Stylus Tool
- White Script Glitter Stickerz
- Scissors & Electric Drill with 3/16 Bit
Step 1. Use your embossing machine, the mason jar folder, and a sheet of the tracing paper to create the embossed jar. Cut out image by hand with scissors.
Step 2. Mark where you’re going to want the lights and use a 3/16 drill bit to create the holes around the DIY picture frame. I went with some fireflies in the jar and a few escaped ones as well. You can follow my layout or create your own!
Step 3. Using the wood frame as a template, cut the background out of the dark blue Core’dination paper. Adhere with spray adhesive.
Step 4. Use the pointed end of the embossing stylus tool to poke small holes in the paper where you want the lights. I went with small holes because the lights were a bit too bright for my taste but feel free to make the holes bigger if you have different lights or like the party strobe light effect!
Step 5. Adhere the lights to the back of the DIY picture frame by applying a small drop of glue to each hole and inserting the light before it hardens. Don’t worry if some glue pushes through the small hole, you can always just pull it away later.
Step 6. Time to embellish the front! I went the minimal route and stuck to the mason jar and the word “memories” off to the side. I would love to see someone make little intricate paper fireflies with their butts aglow though! Also, keep in mind you don’t have to use all the lights either. Having 4 or 5 fireflies caught in the jar would be adorable too!
Step 7. Ok, so here’s where I get real with you…the back of this DIY picture frame, not so pretty! It doesn’t bother me at all since I’ll be displaying it up on a shelf where no one can see the wires. If you’re looking for an alternative that hides the wires, you could always use a hinged wood box with a smaller wood frame attached to the front. You wouldn’t even see the wires inside the box!
Hope you enjoyed this firefly DIY picture frame tutorial and that it helps you come up with some fun ways to incorporate electric lights into your crafting routine. Don’t forget to visit the Consumer Crafts Facebook page and share some of your fun Summer-themed crafts!
About Vanessa
Vanessa is a self proclaimed sleep deprived mother of two adorable boys and when she has a little time to spare, she makes things and posts about them on her craft blog, Tried & True. If she’s not cooking, sewing, gluing or making, she would probably go crazy. Join her on her crafty adventure at triedandtrueblog.com.
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This is awesome, Vanessa!
That’s adorable 🙂
That is so cute! Don’t have kids, but think this is just one of the best ideas I’ve ever seen!
This is a cute idea. I could also see doing this with colored lights and a Christmas themed frame and photo. That would be a fabulous Christmas decoration and the picture could be updated each year. Pinned this for later inspiration. Thanks for sharing such a fun idea.
Melissa