Rustic Frame

This is a copy cat frame from Hallmark that I stole (shhh!)  ...stole the idea, not the frame ;)  Anyway, I hate, and I mean HATE tracking down old, used, banged up barn wood and therefore I am a huge HUGE fan of this method to antique wood (called oxidizing) using these two simple products.  Black Tea and steel wool dissolved in vinegar (takes about 3 days, but like many things, you can store it and it just gets better with time).  I won't go into details on the method, instead just refer to the link.

But here are a few pictures of the process.  On the right, it's brushed with tea (I actually put my tea in a spray bottle and sprayed the wood).  The one on the left is with the steel wool/ vinegar solution painted on after the tea has dried.  It's pretty dark as you can see but it gets lighter as you sand.  Don't pay attention to the rosettes at the top, that's for another project.

 Here is after a very light sanding.  I used Cedar fencing planks because they are very light weight.  They are pretty rough but I wasn't going for a smooth surface this time since it would only be for looks and no one would be touching it.

I used wood glue and screws to piece it all together.  You don't have to stain the back but you will have to make sure to stain the sides.

 

Finished product.