Converting Table-Top Frames

There are times that the perfect picture frame really isn't perfect. You may have the right frame, but it only comes as a table-top picture frame or maybe all you have is a table-top frame and you want to convert it to a hanging picture frame. Don't despair; it can be done and you can actually do it yourself with just a little knowledge.

Items needed for this project:

• Hammer
• Screwdriver
• Ruler
• Wire
• 2 small eye bolts
• 3-4 nails
• Picture hanging kit (optional)

You will want to remove the back of the picture frame from the frame itself. Attached to the back of the frame is a "leg" that allows the frame to stand or sit on top of a table. Being, gentle remove the "leg" from the back of the frame, using a screwdriver or pliers to remove it. You will want to remove this part of the frame so that it will hang nicely on the wall.

There are two different ways of attaching hardware to the frame so that you will be able to hang it. In one method you screw small eye bolts to the frame and in another method you attach a small, serrated bracket to the back of the frame with two tiny nails.

The approach that seems to be the most versatile is the type that you get with a picture hanging kit. These kits come with everything that you need except the tools like the hammer, screwdriver and ruler. These kits run about three dollars and can be found in most grocery stores or home improvement centers like Lowes or Home Depot.

To attach the eye bolts, turn the picture frame over and attach them to the left and right sides of the frame. You do this by first measuring both sides of the frames about 1/3 of the way down. Mark the spot where the eye bolts will go. Screw in one of the eye bolts. Measure the opposite side (on the backside of the frame) exactly the same length down as to where you placed the first eye bolt. Screw in the second eye bolt.

Take the wire and attach it one of the eye bolts. Leave a little bit of slack in the wire. You have enough slack when you can hold the middle of the wire to the top of the frame. After correctly measuring how much wire you need, attach the wire to the second eye bolt and cut off any excess wire.

The second method is to forego the eye bolts and place a small, serrated bracket near the top of the frame's backside. Measure equal distances from both sides; this will give you the middle of the frame. Attach the serrated bracket using small nails; there are also picture-hanging kits for this approach to picture hanging.

To hang the picture, hold the frame up where you want to hang it. With a pencil lightly mark just above the picture frame where you want to place the picture. Take the hanger that came in the package and hold it flush to the wall. If the hanger has two holes nail through both of the holes. Some hangers will have only one hole. Hang the picture and you are done.