Step-by-step tutorial: making a handmade plaster photo frame

"The house is made of walls and beams. Warmth comes from love and memories."
And what's more meaningful than a handmade frame to hold your most beautiful photographs? Whether it's to capture a special moment, a beloved face, or an unforgettable landscape, creating a photo frame with your own hands is a gesture full of meaning. When made with Aqua Resin , it also becomes a refined, natural, and durable decorative object, capable of lending an authentic touch to any space. 

In this tutorial, we'll guide you step by step through making a high-quality alpha plaster frame, which you can customize to your liking and is also perfect as a handmade gift.

Why use Aqua Resin to create frames

Aqua Resin is not a synthetic resin, but a high-quality, natural, non-toxic, and easy-to-use alpha-mineral plaster . It's the ideal alternative to regular plaster or traditional resin for those seeking a porcelain-like effect, a smooth, professional finish, and a cold-work method that's safe even in homes and schools.

Among its main advantages:

• It is non-toxic, therefore ideal even in the presence of children or animals

• It mixes with water (or with Aqua Shield ) and hardens in about an hour

• It has a detailed rendering perfect for decorative molds

• It can be colored with pigments, decorated, painted and protected

• It is sturdy and lightweight, perfect for hanging or placing items

What you need to make your own photo frame

• 100 g of Aqua Resin

• 50 g of water or Aqua Shield

• A frame mold (silicone or handmade)

• A mixing bowl

• A spatula or stick

• Fine sandpaper for finishing

• Acrylic colors, pigments or Aqua Pigment for customization

• Brushes, stamps or stencils (optional)

• A printed photograph and a rigid support (cardboard, thin wood)

• Vinyl glue or double-sided tape

• Ribbon or hook for hanging

Step 1 – Prepare the mixture

Pour 50 g of water into a clean container, or Aqua Shield if you want to make your frame more durable and water-repellent. Add a few drops of pigment (if desired) to create a pastel color or marbled base. Gradually sift 100 g of Aqua Resin into the bowl, stirring with a spatula until the mixture reaches a smooth, fluid consistency, similar to thick cream.

Step 2 – Pour into the mold

Take your picture frame mold and slowly pour the mixture in, carefully filling every corner. Tap the bottom of the mold lightly to eliminate any air bubbles. If you'd like a hanging hole, you can insert a toothpick or straw into the desired location. Let it harden for at least 60-90 minutes.

Step 3 – Unmold and refine

Once dry, carefully remove your frame from the mold. If there are any imperfections on the edges, you can smooth them with very fine sandpaper. The surface will be smooth, white, and slightly porcelain-like. At this point, you can decide whether to leave it natural or proceed with decorating.

Step 4 – Customize

This is the most creative part! You can paint the frame with acrylic paints, create a marble effect using two shades of Aqua Pigment , apply floral stencils, vintage stamps, calligraphy, or geometric patterns. If you love a rough look, you can simply brush the surface with Aqua Shield to protect it without altering the original color.

Step 5 – Insert the photograph

Cut your chosen photograph so it fits perfectly inside the frame. Glue it to a rigid surface (such as cardboard or thin wood) and secure it to the back of the frame with double-sided tape or vinyl glue. Alternatively, you can create a pocket to replace the photo in the future. Add a ribbon or hook to the back for easy hanging.

Ideas to personalize the project

• Name frame for a child's bedroom

• Frame with natural textures such as flowers or lace

• Double version connecting two frames with a ribbon

• Mini frames as placeholders for ceremonies

• Seasonal frames for themed decorations

• Scented frames with a few drops of essential oil

Perfect for children too

Making handmade frames with Aqua Resin is also an ideal activity for creative workshops with children, at home or at school. Being non-toxic and odorless, the mixture is completely safe to prepare. Children can then have fun decorating each frame with paints, beads, stickers, or natural materials.

Handmade gift with meaning

A handmade frame isn't just a decorative object: it's a container for memories, a heartfelt gift, a symbol of care and attention. You can make one as:

• Gift for Mother's or Father's Day

• End-of-year thoughts for teachers

• Favor for a birth or baptism

• Idea for Valentine's Day or Christmas

• Memory of a trip or a special event

How much material do you need?

With 100 g of Aqua Resin , you can make a standard, medium-sized frame (about 10 x 15 cm). For a larger or thicker frame, you can use up to 150 g. With 1 kg of product, you can make between 8 and 12 frames, depending on the shape and thickness.

DIY molds

If you don't have a ready-made mold, you can make one from stiff cardboard covered with cling film. Cut the frame shape out of the cardboard and build a base with edges at least 1 cm high. Seal the edges with hot glue or tape. Pour in the Aqua Resin mixture and proceed as per the instructions. Once hardened, carefully remove the cardboard structure.

Protection and finishing

To increase the lifespan of your frame and protect it from dust, moisture, or scratches, you can brush a light coat of Aqua Shield after decorating. The result will be slightly glossy and more resistant to wear.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use glass or plexiglass to protect the photo?
Yes, as long as the frame's thickness allows it. You can insert glass between the photo and the plaster before gluing the back.

Can the frame stand outside?
Only if protected with Aqua Shield . However, internal use is recommended.

How long does the frame last?
If stored properly, it can last for years. Aqua Resin has excellent long-term stability.

It's fragile?
No, it is much more resistant than common plaster, but it still needs to be treated with care, like any handcrafted object.

Conclusion

Making a frame with your own hands isn't just a creative project, it's a loving gesture toward memories. Whether you choose to make it for yourself, as a gift, for a ceremony, or for a children's workshop, each frame will tell a unique story. Thanks to Aqua Resin and its versatility, you have the perfect material to give shape to your emotions.