I’ve always loved the look of glass framed art, but have yet to purchase one of those pressed glass frames.  I do however, have several vintage frames that still have the glass, but are missing the artwork. Ideal for mounting something with glue, ie: a mossy shamrock, to the front of the glass for faux pressed glass look.  

How to make a framed moss shamrock on a floating glass frame

Supplies:

Old frame with glass still intact (remove artwork and clean glass) –  or one of these floating glass frames

Natural moss sheet (from craft store, I used this type)

Clear craft glue (I used E6000)

Scissors

Toothpicks

Shamrock image (find one from google images, or download my shamrock drawing below)

Make a floating glass frame from an old frame

Frames can vary, so make sure it is a frame that allows you to glue the glass to the frame from the back side and that you will get a sturdy hold.

Once you are sure of that, remove any frame clips and apply some glue along the back edge of the frame with a toothpick, then insert the glass into place.  Allow to dry.

Print and center shamrock image

Clean glass well, front and back.  Center and tape a shamrock image to the backside of the frame so that the image is facing toward the front, but behind (under) the glass.

Cut, gather and arrange moss pieces

Cut pieces of the natural moss out that are slightly larger than the image.  I used 5 pieces: A small center piece, a stem piece and three shamrock leaves.  I made sure to leave room for overlapping the moss wherever possible.

Once the pieces are cut, pinch the edges to soften them so that they look a bit fringy and natural.

Lay the pieces over the shamrock image until you have the look you like.

Glue moss pieces to the top of the frame

Pull the pieces away from the image and start by gluing the center piece first, followed by the stem.  Overlap the edges as needed.  Next apply the shamrock leaves one at a time.

Don’t over glue, just put enough glue to hold it in place.  As a final step you can go back and add glue under the moss with the toothpick to secure it down better.

Remove the paper from the back.

Leave the edges fringy for a more rustic looking shamrock, or press them in slightly to catch the glue underneath for a more trimmed and even looking shamrock.

I cleaned the glass, but I don’t think I cleaned the frame, haha, perhaps it adds old Irish charm…

Mounting the shamrock on the glass shows off the mossy texture and gives it dimension.

Up close you can see that I was down to the last dregs of my bag of natural moss, but it was just enough to get the job done.

I love how it is festive enough for St Patrick’s Day decor, yet it is simple enough on it’s own that it could hang year round in the right room setting.

If you were going to make something like this, what, other than a shamrock image would you try to use?

May the wind always be at your back ~ Amy

Feel free to use my quick-sketched (and less than perfect) shamrock drawing;)

Click on link below to download free shamrock printable graphic:

Download  FREE PDF Shamrock Sketch  here—>: shamrock-stowandtellu

Feeling Irish? Check out:

DIY Shamrock Potato stamp craft

Easy Guinness Beer Bread

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