How to make your own hanging photo artworks

Show off your creative side with an easy art project. Using just your phone and printer, you can make a leafy design on transparency film that creates a lovely effect when hung near a window.

The frame for your artwork is made with balsa wood, hessian ribbon and a wooden bead, held together with tape – no tools needed! The balsa wood frame is lightweight for hanging from ribbon or rope, but sturdy enough to hold your film straight and true for a nature-inspired artwork that looks lovely in the light. It’s nature craft at its best.

Gather your supplies

• Balsa wood sheets
• Foliage-printed transparency film (see box, bottom left)
• 25mm hessian ribbon
• Wooden bead
• Macramé rope (optional)

You’ll also need

Mark four 10mm-wide strips on balsa sheets and cut using a craft knife with a steel rule as a guide. Trim balsa strips, if needed, to width of film.

Step 2

Cut double-sided sticky tape to length. Apply to 1 side of 2 balsa strips.

Step 3

Position 1 balsa strip, tape side up, and lay base edge of transparency film on top, lining up edges. Press down to secure. Apply another strip of balsa on top of film, tape side down.

Step 4

Attach tape to remaining 2 balsa strips and secure ribbon ends about 10mm from ends of 1 strip.

Step 6

Lay transparency film, top edge up, on balsa and ribbon and press down.

Step 7

Press final strip on film. Use ribbon hanger to suspend artwork or add a rope hanger to ribbon.