Easy Dollar Store Frame Hack: Create a Vintage Gold Frame & Make a Print Look Like a Real Painting

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Finding budget-friendly ways to create beautiful home decor is kind of my thing, and this project definitely delivers. Since I already had most of the supplies on hand, this little makeover cost me about $1.25 plus tax. Not bad for something that ends up looking like vintage-style wall art, right?

Lately the Dollar Tree has really been stepping up their decor game. I spotted these gorgeous arched picture frames and immediately knew they had the potential to become faux vintage frames with just a little creativity (similar to a makeover I shared in a previous tutorial). Today I’m going to show you exactly how to transform a dollar store frame into a vintage-inspired piece, plus share a simple trick for making a photo printed from your home printer look like a real painting.

So grab your frame and let’s get crafting!

Supply list:

Arch picture frames (in black to save a step) -I got mine from Dollar Tree

Applique molds (I used these ones here)

Hot glue (fave glue gun linked here)

Black acrylic craft paint

Rub 'n Buff in Gold Leaf (used this one here)

Printed picture

Modge Podge in Matte

Step 1:

Add hot glue carefully into the silicone molds. Make sure to get into the corners, but try to keep the glue inside the mold itself. If a little bit goes over, that's alright, it can be cut off or pulled off later when it's dried. Have the glue set in the mold until it isn't hot to touch.

Step 2:

Release the glue from the mold, and you'll get something that looks a little like this:

This is the point that you will try to cut off excess strings and overflow, or pull them off if they can come of easily. 

Step 3:

Now using the black acrylic paint, paint the pieces and let them dry.

If you have a white frame or a different color frame, this is the point that you will paint that as well.

Step 4:

Now it's time to paint the frame and the hot glue appliques with Rub 'n Buff. (You can either glue the pieces on at this point, or wait until after you add the Rub 'n Buff.)

I used a stippling brush to add the Rub 'n Buff onto the frame and the applique pieces. It may work better on the frame to add it with a cloth, but I actually like the look it gives better with the brush.

Here they all are ready to go!

Step 5:

Play around with where you want the pieces, and then secure them to the frame with some hot glue. 

Here's one option I did on the front of the frame:

And anothe option I did on another frame that I added the appliques to the side.

I added the top piece to both. The molds come with lots of different ones you can use, so if you have a frame that's not an arch, you have even more options!

Step 6:

Now let's add a faux painting inside of it! I went onto Chatgpt and gave it a prompt to create a vintage bouquet of flowers. I did play around with the prompt for a bit before I landed on these ones. These are just variations from the same prompt. Asked it to change the background, move some flowers around, remove the vase, etc. I then saved them and printed them. My frame is a 4x6, so I printed them to fit.

You'll see in the finished pictures that I used this one and the darker one.

Step 7:

Using the Modge Podge or your decoupage medium, add a layer onto the print with a paint brush.

You can let the first layer dry at this point, or half way. I'm impatient, so it was only half way. 

I then started to add brush strokes onto the paper where I would think paint brush strokes would be if it were really painted.

Added it to the flowers, the vase, the leaves and followed longer lines and curved lines where needed.

The finished piece turned out so good! Definitely would never have thought it came from hot glue and a dollar store frame.

Here's a good reminder of where it started and where it ended:

You can see the brush strokes of the decoupage really well with this darker print.

pin for later:

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”