Farmhouse Wall Art Using Vintage Scissors
Leading up to Christmas, I shared a number of different vintage-y projects that sold at the big craft fair I do every year around the holidays. I have one more project that I’ve held in reserve since it’s not specifically a Christmas project. It’s an anytime project that doesn’t require many materials or much time at all.
I can’t take credit for the idea because I feel sure I’ve noticed it several times on Pinterest and elsewhere. The basic idea involves framing vintage scissors (or other small vintage items) on some sort of nice, old paper, like pages from a dictionary or sheet music to create attractive farmhouse wall art.
Or how about an antique letter that contains terrific hand-writing? Well, that’s what I used to create some vintage wall art, and I guess other’s liked them as much as I because they sold quickly at $12.00 each.
Framed in red (as you’ll see below), they fit right in with all of the Christmas I had for sale.
Materials for Framing Scissors
(1) Background Paper
I recently picked up an old letter at an antique store that was filled with beautiful, old fashioned handwriting. I chose to use a copy of it as my background.
You can too, because I added it to my Member Library! You can access it and download a copy for yourself by signing up for my weekly newsletter.
(2) A Frame
Once you’ve selected your background paper, you’ll need to round up a frame or two. I scooped up several medium-brown oak ones for 12¢ each (I know, strange price point, right?).
Then spray painted them black, but of course, buy or paint them any color you like, if you need to. (As it turns out, I ended up using red ones that already had on hand, LOL.)
(3) Vintage Scissors
Then you’ll need some vintage scissors. Or some other cool vintage something or other. How about:
- Vintage keys
- Vintage silverware
- A neat piece of jewelry
- An old fountain pen
I recognized not too long ago that scissors had begun to form yet another “accidental” collection of mine. I wrote about this scissor collection HERE.
These vintage, folding scissors, from Germany, would look nice framed, wouldn’t they?
And while I think this tiny 2 1/2″ pair would look marvelous framed, I can’t bring myself to do it. Aren’t they just darling?
In the end, I chose the most interesting, but least valuable pairs (in my mind) to frame. I didn’t want to ruin special scissors by gunking them up with glue.
Note: This post contains affiliate links for [the same or similar] products used to complete this project. This is both for your convenience as well as to support my website, since I receive a small compensation whenever you click on a link and make any sort of purchase, for which I thank you 🙂 See my full disclosure here.
Other Materials:
- Weldbond Glue (I love Weldbond glue and use it for many projects.)
- Cardboard (or heavy cardstock)
- Glue stick
- Small nails or glazier points
- Brown kraft paper
- Claw hanger
How to Make Vintage Scissor Wall Art
Step 1: Cut the vintage paper and a piece of cardboard to fit your frame. The cardboard will hold everything in place.
Step 2: Tack the vintage paper onto the cardboard using a glue stick.
Step 3: Insert the cardboard into the frame and hold it in place with small nails or glazier points.
Step 4: Attach the scissors to the center of the vintage paper by dabbing some Weldbond glue onto the high points of the back of your scissors. Lay them on the paper and allow the glue to dry overnight.
Step 5: Once dry, back your frame with brown kraft paper and attach a hanger of some sort.
Learn more about the mechanics of framing here.
And here you see the finished product! I definitely like the red color and thicker width of this frame. What do you think?
You can make this project for your home, as a gift, or to sell in your vintage business. I sell them for $12-15 depending on the size of the finished piece.
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Bye for now,
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Diana, this is beautiful! I bet you could use invisible thread to hold the more ornate scissors if you thread it to the back and knot the thread. Secure and invisible. 🙂 Just an idea. 🙂
Hey, I have framed “valuable” items before by sewing them onto the background! Print your item on cardstock, and tack sew the scissors, key, etc. to the card. Works well for most items! And it’s removeable down the road.
Love this idea Diana and thanks for the free printable … it is a very interesting background. I am sure I have lots of neat stuff I can frame.
Hugs,
Audrey Z.
This is a fun idea, Diana! Thank you for sharing the lovely old letter!
I’m smiling that someone else likes to collect scissors. Cute idea, but I don’t think I can frame any of my scissors. I have more than I’d ever use, but all the same, I like to keep them handy to pull out when the mood strikes. ‘-)
I’m a stitcher, so my scissor collection consists of small embroidery or needlepoint scissors. I keep them in small containers on a shelf so I can enjoy the interesting shapes and designs of the handles. Many are antique and others are unique souvenirs from travels. I’ve not added any in some years. I keep thinking, How many pairs of scissors does one need? Of course, when collecting, we all know the answer to that type of question.
I also collect scissors and never thought about framing them individually. I was dumpster diving in a new housing project and I scored 2 cabinet doors. I drove screws into one of them to hang my scissors and the other to hang my key collection. I am wondering, does the scissor tend to pull away from the paper in the frame? Just curious.
I love the scissors-framing idea, Diana. So simple, yet so attractive. I had a pair of old scissors that were very small and had scroll-work where the handles attached to the blades. They were my grandmother’s embroidery scissors, very tiny points on the blades and just precious. But somehow, I have lost or misplaced them and am heart-broken. They would have looked lovely framed, although I would have had to figure out a way to attach them other than glue, I think. Maybe I could have used embroidery floss and “sewn” them onto the backing! I hope they turn up so I can do it someday!
Love your posts. Thanks for sharing your always-interesting doings!
Okay Diana, this is too weird. The books I am working on-when I write, lol-end in Chicago in 1893. The hero’s offices are in the Otis Building….LOL. So this is a stitch….LOVE IT! And your great framing ideas, thanks Sandi
Cute. I love the look. I once framed a vintage clothespin in the same fashion, only the backdrop was a worn piece of leather cut to fit the frame opening. Your scissor collection is fab!
Very cute! I framed a pair of scissors for my sewing room but never could find a place to hang it. 🙂 Thanks for sharing with SYC.
hugs,
Jann
I love that you framed vintage scissors. Thank you for sharing your charming framed vintage scissors at the Snickerdoodle Create~Bake~Make link party!
Great idea–and would make great decor in a sewing room or near the sewing machine. “Mini Hold” is a small red plastic tub of a waxy substance that I use to hold dollhouse items to the wall, tables, etc. Kind of like the stuff you use to hold candles in their holders. BUT it does not leave greasy spots like the Lemax similar brand. I should think one spot of Wellbond or hot glue would be easy enough to remove afterward if needed!
You’re right Kathy! It would look very nice in a sewing room. Thanks for the great tip on the “Mini Hold”!!