Introduction: Frame a CD, Case and All! Memorabilia CD Frame

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Just saw a great show? Cool! Got to go backstage? Awesome! Got a signed CD? Amazing! Get home and just put it on a shelf? No...
These things are collectors items, treat them as such! Show it proudly! Put it on the wall so everybody can see it!
An amazingly simple method to frame a CD, jewel case and all! PLUS, it has room for other stuff too, like the ticket stub, any picks you might have gotten, wristbands, etc. Also, it uses a normal frame, NO SHADOW BOX NEEDED!

Step 1: Gather Supplies

You only need a couple of things to do this project.

A regular picture frame, just the kind with little folded metal holding the glass in

Black spray paint

Box cutter

Pen or Pencil

Pliers

Your chosen memorabilia

*Optional - Glue of some kind (a glue stick is all you need)

A piece of corrugated cardboard (assuming the one in your frame is just card stock.)

Let's get to work!

Step 2: Clean Up the Frame

In case you were wondering, No, I never had whales hanging on my wall. I got the frame at a thrift store for $0.59. It was a little dusty and dingy, so i just Windexed the glass and wiped down the frame with some cleaner and water. Not that pretty, so we'll do something about that in a few.

If you want to save the stuff in the frame, you can. Matte Board isn't cheap, so why not re-use it?

This time, I don't want to save the whales...

Step 3: Prep and Cut the Board

This step can't get much simpler. Place the CD on the cardboard and trace around it. put it wherever you want on the board, visualizing the end result. Cut out the rectangle you just drew. Cut on the inside of the line, you want this to be a tight fit.

*Note* You are using a box cutter, so please be careful! I know you see it all over this site, but I won't be held responsible for anybody coming away from this project with Jerry Garcia hands!

Step 4: Time to Paint

Now we have a plain piece of cardboard, and a dingy frame, let's do something about that. Go to a well ventilated area (in this case, n the alley out back) and paint the stuff. Light coats on the cardboard please? It's porus, so you don't want to soak it. I painted the frame too. Normal spray paint sets in about 15 minutes, so take your time.

Step 5: Place and Assemble

Now that your stuff is dry, it's time to set it up. If you have any little items you want in the frame aside from the CD, place it where you want it. You can glue it if you want to, but keep in mind, this makes it a tad more permanent. Since we used corrugated cardboard, the finished product has a little puff to it. Most items will stay where you put them, it's more of a personal preference.

Step 6: Put It All Together

Now that the whole thing is set up, simply put it together. The hole we cut earlier holds the jewel case all on it's own. If you look at the case, it has a lip on the edges. Simply pop it in the hole. It holds itself in place! Just like a regular picture frame, fasten it back together, bending the tabs/staples back down. Use the pliers to make sure it's fastened tight.

Step 7: All Done!

All that's left to do is just hang it up like a normal picture. The CD can change the balance on the frame, but just adjust it accordingly. The crackle effect that happened on the frame was completely unintentional, but looked great! I think it was due to the original paint having a glossy finish to it. I've been looking through my old concert stuff, and and happy to say my living room is getting fuller each month! 67 concerts in 2008 yeilded great stuff, great stories, and a great new addition to my house!