Food, Home and Style

Nearly Free Art

Many of us are spending more time in our homes just as we have less to spend on our homes. Happily, there are creative ways to spiff up your walls without breaking out the college posters. Here, four works of art that practically cost pennies.

More Than Words
Cost: $7, plus $20 apiece for the frames
Source: The Internet, of course

I found the set of seven vintage flashcards for $7, simply by doing a Google search. Ready-made “floating” frames for the 10-inch-wide cards were selected at a local art store, then bought online for about 25 percent less. Also works with old postcards (show the writing side) and envelopes.

Light of My Life
Cost: Under $100–depends on canvas size, number of lights
Source: Art supply store, dollar store

Denver-based graphic designer Kelli Parker created this piece for her dining room, by winding fairy lights around a large blank canvas. It provides a mellow glow. Make sure you have an outlet nearby, or you sort of defeat the point.

Music to the Eyes
Cost: 50 cents apiece for the albums, $25 for the frame
Source: thrift store, Ikea

Finding good album art can take some sifting, but you can’t beat the price. Almost any thrift store will have a pile of discarded records; skip the 80s and look for vivid/funny retro art. I actually found “Music to Strip By” at a store in Baltimore.

Wee Trees
Cost: $0
Source: Used notebooks

These look cooler in real life than in pictures. Pull the wire out of a used spiral-bound notebook. Depending on how pliable it is, with your fingers or a pair of pliers, bend and twist it into a tree, flower, or plant. Don’t forget the stem.

Tags: Food, Home and Style, home, spending, Trends and Entertainment