DIY Wrought Iron Picture Hanger with Upcycled Frames

Wrought iron picture hanger with revamped frames.

My theme is black and white.  But this would look so pretty in other colors too.  The options are endless!

According to author's William McDonough and Michael Braungart from the book Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things, "Upcycling is the practice of taking something that is disposable and transforming it into something of greater use and value." 


Just reading the definition gives me a pronounced sense of hope and therapy.


Upcycling is not just a form of creating art.  It is a lifestyle.  Take what you have and work with it.  How many aspects in our life could we make easier if we would just take this ideal into practice?  This is my mantra for 2012.    


I tell you that story to tell you this story.  I don't know about you, but I kind of go nuts when Hobby Lobby puts their wrought iron on sale for 50% off.  Something about lovely scrolled pieces of wrought iron appeals to the old euro side of me.  I was so sure about my affinity for these lovely scroll pieces and so turned on by their slashed-in-half price tags, that I ended up with waaay too many over the years.  I also have a slew of mismatched photo frames that I've collected throughout the years.  Upon the great home redo of 2011-2012, and my new 2012 upcycle life mantra, I decided to put all of my home decor pieces to re-use.  I refused to buy new things...unless expressly needed.  Especially picture frames!  


One thing I really wanted to do in the home redeco project was display more of our family pictures on the walls with color matching frames.  My color of obsession right now is black.  The space in these pictures is of a built-in hutch in our kitchen.  It is a perfect place for a drink or dessert bar.  And, also a perfect little spot to show off pics of the fam.  


I wanted to incorporate the wrought iron as a sort of picture hanger.  As mentioned before, I have stacks of mismatched frames.  In my efforts to upcycle things, a few months ago I purchased about five cans of black spray paint and begun revamping all of the picture frames I had hung onto over the years.  Even thought they were of all different sizes I could still use them together if they were at least the same color.  


To make my new picture display I hung the wrought iron on the wall, then hung the pictures by additional nails and black ribbon.  The display turned out beautifully!  To keep with the black and white theme I also printed the pictures in black and white.  


Now when I'm at the island preparing food or working on a project this is what I see each time I look up.  I am so happy with the new display, and even happier with my new philosophy on art and life of upcycling.

Revamped picture frames.

Hang pictures with ribbon tied at the end with its own nail so that you don't pull on wrought iron piece.

Love my little redone space!