How to Frame a Sculpture – Ivy’s Framed Popsicle Art

Do you ever save your kiddos play-dough sculptures? What do you do with them? Do they just eventually end up in the garbage? Well I decided to frame one of Ivy’s, because it makes me so happy to look at. It’s full of random colors, sparkles, beads, sequins, and fluffy pompoms. Oh and rhinestones… I just can’t get enough.

So if you find yourself unable to part with such a special sculpture, then check out this easy way to enjoy it all the time… as long as its flat enough… wink!

So for Ivy’s 3rd Birthday Party (her “Oompa Loompa, Pink Sheep, Charley & the Chocolate Factory Party“) we did a play-dough activity where the kiddos used their imaginations to turn play-dough into sparkly treats! Just like inventors of new treats at Charley’s Chocolate Factory! The treats that they came up with were beautiful (not tasty at all, although I tried to make the play-dough scented by adding cool-aid), and my house was covered in sparkles for MONTHS!

But Ivy made this Popsicle… and I love it!

She also made this strange cake with candles… but it didn’t spark as much joy for me… and it’s not flat enough to fit in my shadow box frame.

So here is the brake down of the plan to display Ivy’s play-dough Popsicle!

Put it in this frame!

OK, now here is the tutorial on how to accomplish this.

HOW TO FRAME A SCULPTURE

… Or How I Framed a Play-dough Sculpture!

MATERIALS NEEDED:

• A dry play-dough sculpture (less than 1 3/4 inches thick)
• RIBBA Frame (from IKEA, has a depth of 1 3/4 inches) – You can always find a different shadow box frame though.
• 12 inch by 12 inch scrapbook paper (for the backing)
• Hot Glue gun and Hot glue sticks

METHOD:

Step 1: Make sure that your sculpture will fit inside your shadow box frame.

Step 2: Find a backing paper. Scrap book paper is the perfect size fit for the Ikea RIBBA frame (Frame is also found on Amazon if you don’t have a local Ikea). You can find scrapbook paper almost anywhere craft supplies are sold including the dollar store!!

I decided to go with white backing paper!… WAAA, I know crazy… It dose have a bit of texture to it though, but you can’t tell in these photos. I’m wild like that!

Step 3: Line everything up on a flat surface, to find where the backing paper should be positioned.

Step 4: Remove just the mat frame, and mark where the backing papers corners will be. Like this…

Step 5: (This step requires speed and dexterity) Remove backing paper and quickly add your hot glue to the edges of the back of the backing paper, and very quickly put it back in its place on the backing board (Did I say back enough times?).

You need to be very quick so that the hot glue does not dry and cause lumps on the back of your paper.

NOTE: Before you glue your backing paper to the backing board, check the placement of the hanger on the back of the board. Face palm!

Step 6: Hot glue your sculpture to the backing paper.

I accomplished this by adding hot glue to the edges that actually touch the paper, and then quickly stuck it to the paper. Then I took more hot glue and filled in the edges with TONS of hot glue. That suckers not coming off anytime soon!

Step 7: Then put the frame back together, and hang it up to enjoy FOREVER!! (and in my case it will be sitting on a ledge, until I figure out a way to change the direction of the hanger thingy on the back of the frame!! GRRRRRR)

I hope this easy “how to frame a sculpture” tutorial, inspires you to find a way to frame your own 3D creations, that spark joy for you.

Until next time, enjoy finding ways to enjoy art, and create beautiful things everyday!

XO JCL