Crafting Personalized Wood Picture Frames for Mother’s Day with Creative Fabrica

As Mother's Day approaches, what better way to celebrate the special mothers and mother figures in our lives than with a handmade gift. This blog post will guide you through the process of crafting your own customized wood picture frame, blending creativity with technology to produce stunning results. This blog post is sponsored by Creative Fabrica. All opinions are mine alone.

Creative Fabrica is a digital platform with over 15 million designs, fonts, SVG files and more for a variety of DIY crafting projects including Cricut crafts, papercrafting, scrapbooking, die-cutting and more.

Watch the video below to learn how to make this laser cut wood picture frame and gain inspiration to create gifts and decor ideas for Mother’s Day for FREE with Creative Fabrica. Alternatively, keep reading below for step-by-step instructions.

Materials Needed

SVG from Creative Fabrica
Glowforge laser printer
¼ Balsa wood compatible with Glowforge
Rustoleum wood stain
Paint brush
Paper towels
Photo to place in the frame

Selecting Your SVG Design from Creative Fabrica

Creative Fabrica offers a vast library of SVG files encompassing a variety of styles, themes, and designs. Whether you prefer intricate patterns, floral motifs, or minimalist aesthetics, there's something for every taste. Browse through the collection and choose an SVG design that resonates with your vision. Consider factors such as the size of the frame and the overall aesthetic of the artwork you intend to display. For this tutorial I am using THIS svg file. To download the SVG and open the file on your computer, do the following:

Download the file for free using the free trial of Creative Fabrica’s All Access Membership. Sign up for your free trial here.
Go to where downloaded files are stored on your device
Unzip the folder by clicking on it
Click on the specific SVG file you want to work with

Setting Up Your Glowforge

Before you begin cutting the wood, ensure that your Glowforge laser cutter is properly calibrated and ready for use. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for setup and calibration to ensure accurate and precise cuts. Additionally, select the appropriate settings for cutting wood on your Glowforge, taking into account factors such as the thickness of the wood and the intricacy of the design. I used ¼ inch balsa wood from Michaels Craft store. You can use any wood that is compatible with your Glowforge laser.

Cutting the Wood

With your Glowforge set up and your SVG design ready, it's time to start cutting the wood. Place your chosen wood material onto the cutting bed of the Glowforge, ensuring that it is securely positioned and level. Load the SVG file into the Glowforge software and adjust the cutting settings as necessary. Once everything is configured, initiate the cutting process and watch as the laser precisely cuts out the intricate design from the wood.

To cut and print your design, do the following:

Turn the machine on
Vent the exhaust hose properly out a window
Place your wood inside the machine
Open the Glowforge app
Upload the SVG file to the app and make any adjustments you want to the design
Select the material type and double check the cutting and engraving settings
Press the ‘Print” button
Press the button on the machine once it starts blinking blue

Staining the Wood

Once the woodcutting process is complete, carefully remove the cut pieces from the Glowforge. I used Rust Oleum wood stain in “Early American” color. To apply, dip your craft paintbrush in the stain and paint the wood ensuring full coverage. Let the stain sit for up to 10 minutes and then use a paper towel or clean cloth to wipe the surface of the wood, removing the excess stain. Let dry for a couple of hours before gluing the pieces of the frame together in the next step.

Assembling the Picture Frame

Use super glue or another suitable adhesive to securely join the pieces together, following the assembly instructions provided with the SVG design. Allow the adhesive to dry thoroughly before inserting your photo into the slot at the top of the frame.

If you're eager to explore the benefits of the All Access Subscription but prefer to trial it first, Hometalk has an enticing offer for you to try it out for FREE with the All Access Trial. This free trial grants you instant access to Creative Fabrica’s extensive library of over 15 million fonts, graphics, crafts, and more, all with a commercial license included. Plus, you'll also gain access to, Studio, Creative Fabrica’s all in one design tool. Don't miss out on this opportunity to unlock endless creativity and inspiration.

Sign up for free using this link and download 10 designs and fonts of your choice within a period of a month for free! The trial will renew at a discounted price of $9/month ($29/ month originally) one month after your trial starts or upon using your 10th download credit. If you upgrade to the Yearly All Access billing, the price is 4.99 per month, billed annually. That is 45% more affordable! What will you create with your All Access Subscription?

More Mother’s Day Projects

In addition to creative a keepsake photo frame for mom, Creative Fabrica has everything else you need for memorable Mother’s Day. I set up this cute tablescape with more items for mom. The bookmark was made on my Glowforge and is perfect for the mom that loves to read. There is a decorative garden stake in the plant which was also cut with the laser printer and the Best Mom Ever sign was simply printed on my computer. I created a Mother’s Day card with Studio, and cut out a card with my Cricut. Check out the links to all the assets I used below.

List of Assets from Creative Fabrica Used in the Blog Post:

Crafting a wood picture frame with a digital SVG from Creative Fabrica on a Glowforge is a perfect gift your mother will love this Mother’s Day. By leveraging the precision of digital design and the versatility of laser cutting technology, you can create stunningly intricate and personalized picture frames that are sure to impress. So why wait? Unleash your creativity and start crafting your own custom wood picture frames today!

This is the 6th in a series of posts brought to you by Creative Fabrica and Hometalk. Check out the other inspiring tutorials here:

Adrienne Carrie Hubbard

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Hi I’m Adrienne Carrie Hubbard. I believe a rich life comes not from the things you have, but the things you do; the experiences you create and the people you meet along the way. Thanks for hanging out!