Project Details:

I had a box of old, cheap picture frames just sitting there… staring at me… asking to be upcycled — so I obliged!

To make these “picture frame planters” – or maybe more aptly named, “picture glass display pieces” – I grabbed some off cuts from a bigger piece, planed them to equal dimensions, and cut them down at 45 degrees in pairs to varying lengths so that each “display” was unique. However, 2 of the 4 pieces in each display were cut so that the inner edge of the top and bottom pieces were a 1/4″ shorter than the length of the glass that would sit in the “frame.”

Then, with my table saw, cut 1/8″ gouges in all 6 side pieces, and all 3 bottom pieces. Each 1/4″ from the edge. These gouges will hold the glass upcycled from the old picture frames.

With the gouges ready, I placed the glass in their slots and used tape tension to glue the mitered corners up around the glass pieces.

Once dry, I stuffed the slot between the two glass panes with paper towel to keep from causing any rattling or shattering damage to them while I ran the frame through the roundover bit of the router. I rounded all exterior edges and the corners to give it a finished look with a mid century flair.

Once rounded, I protected the exterior of each glass pane with paper towels and painters tape, and gave each display a good sand down, starting at 80 grit and working my way up to 600 grit paper.

Leaving the protective measures in place, I also added a finish.

Finally, once the finish had dried, I stuffed the slot between the two panes with a little gravel and some trimmed faux safari grass to give the displays a planter look — however, I look forward to switching them up whenever the whim hits me!