Best Place To Buy Picture Frames

April 13, 2024

Have you ever bought or acquired a print or some other piece of artwork that you LOVE -- but it didn't have a frame? Never fear, I've got you covered. 

gold frame pressed flowers mantel artwork

Custom frames can be so expensive. That’s why there's only one place I've purchased most of my frames over the years, and I share that secret below.

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For anyone that knows me, my solution for this shouldn't be a surprise -- I find my frames at thrift stores! 

For those of you new to this fun and affordable way of shopping, when I say thrift stores I mean Goodwill, Salvation Army, estate sales, yard sales, Facebook Marketplace, flea markets, rummage sales, and good old independent thrift stores. 

While the list is certainly not exhaustive, I wanted to share my own local thrifty haunts. Depending on where you live, the places might look a bit different or be called something else.   

pressed flower print artwork double matted

Case in point: My loving husband purchased a print of a pressed flower display from an Etsy shop called Susan's Pressed Flowers for me for Christmas. And since it didn't have a frame, I had my work cut out for me.

cheap gold thrift store frame with saying

Fast forward to February and a trip to Goodwill with my daughter. After combing through a ton of framed artwork in all shapes and sizes, I came across a gold frame with a printed saying in it that appeared to be just what I was looking for. I measured it, and it was! And for 99 cents I couldn't say no.

NOTE: Keep a list of pertinent dimensions for your frameless artwork -- either on a piece of paper you carry with you or in the Notes app on your phone. And always carry a tape measure for when you find a suitable frame. That way you can be sure you're buying the right sized frame.

I personally prefer carrying a soft measuring tape that's made out of fabric or plastic -- a tailor's measuring tape, essentially. I also sometimes carry a small push button dual sided tape measure as it's also quite small and lightweight.   

gold framed floral print pressed flowers pink candle

All I had to do was take off the back of the frame and pull out the printed saying, replacing it with my pressed flower print. I also pulled out the glass but you can always leave the glass in, of course. Isn't it gorgeous? For. one. dollar.  

original Irish botanical print in gold frame

It looks like it belongs right beside our limited-edition vintage Irish botanical print we had custom-framed well over 20 years ago.  

gold framed pressed flower print leaning on floral artwork

Even the frames and mats are similar! What are the odds?

gold framed floral print attached to gold mirror

I adhered the pressed flower print onto a gold mirror on the bedroom mantel to create a frame within a frame. 

gold picture frames gold mirrors cathedral arches mantel

I'm loving all the gold frames and mirrors together.

chinoiserie vase art print

But artwork doesn't have to be expensive to make it worthy of framing. Take, for example, this wonderfully colorful page I pulled out of my 2024 Planner. Look at that vase!

weekly planner floral cover vase with flowers print

Many other equally lovely pages are scattered throughout the planner -- and you can bet that I'll be framing some of those pages as well!

vintage thrift store gold frame

Knowing that the print measured 5"x7", I headed to Goodwill in search of a frame. And lucky for me I immediately found this simple vintage gold frame for 99 cents.    

floral art print paper cutter

First I used my paper cutter to remove the ragged side of the page.

flowers and birds in gold frame on books

Then I placed the print into the frame and voila. I left the glass in this time, so the photos were a bit trickier to take because of the glare. 

floral print in gold frame on mantel with tulips and books

I really love how the colors pop.

blue floral print with birds and vase

Again, art prints don't have to be fancy or expensive to deserve a pretty frame. Just head out to your favorite thrift store and good luck!

Well, that's it for today, friends! 
I hope you enjoyed reading about 
Best Place To Buy Picture Frames 
 and that I've inspired you in some way. 
 
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gold frame pressed flowers mantel artwork

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Leave a Comment!

My thrift store addiction said...

Couldn't agree more--thrifting for frames is not only cheaper but you also find older, more interesting styles! Blessings, Cecilia @ My Thrift Store Addiction

Junkchiccottage said...

I love the look of old vintage frames too. Very pretty love the cover for your print. Have a great rest of the week. Hugs. Kris

Sandi Magle said...

I'm totally with you on this...OldNewGreenRedo project that hits all the buttons. I never thought of doing a post on frames and art...I've given some wonderful pieces to my son, I have found. Old Fortune Magazine covers from the 20's and 30's, framed in pristine black wood frames for $6.00 each....He was thrilled, an 20's airplane and a 20's boat...great ideas!!! Sandi. Calendars photos are amazing!

Anonymous said...

I have used all your hints for years and totally agree. Especially being on a retiree's budget now, saving money in my craft budget is important. Last Christmas, I framed Christmas music and lyrics for my church bazaar, adding tiny Nativity figures (Silent Night), a snowman (Frosty), a reindeer (Rudoloph), etc. on frame edges. A music teacher snatched up a bunch of them as gifts for her students! I was tickled pink when a friend gifted a BOX full of small frames for this year's creations! Kathy A

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