When you go to a bookstore, supermarket, craft, gift shop or a toy store, look out for something you can use to make unique frames.  I found some metal rings and large earring squares in Divisoria.  I glued pictures behind them - a quick and easy way to make frames.  The most difficult part was finding pictures small enough to fit the frames!  I also used some left over tongue depressors to form a frame by overlapping them to form a square.  The easiest way to make a frame would be to use those pre-printed frames found in scrapbooking stores but they can be pricey.

If you want to make frames or ornaments out of clay, here’s my favorite recipe for clay that hardens in an oven toaster: In a large saucepan, mix together 1 cup cornstarch and 2 cups baking soda with a whisk. Add 1 ½ cups cold water and stir until smooth.  Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture comes to a boil and starts to thicken into a mass like mashed potatoes that holds its shape.  Turn out into dish and cover with a damp cloth.  Allow to cool. Once cooled, knead until smooth and elastic.  Make only objects ½” thick or it will not harden well. Watch when you put objects in the oven as they may burn if they’re in too long.

Always try to reuse stuff that people usually throw away and here are some ideas for those styrofoam take out boxes that end up dirtying our coastlines.  After cleaning it, you can cut it up in shapes (hearts, zigzags, squares, etc.) and make designs on it using a pencil or ballpen.  This can now be used as a stamp to decorate your frame.  OR  you can cut up the styrofoam and use as the frame itself.  Indent designs on it and paint.