Light Up Picture Frame

Adding lights to a picture frame can add the pizzass to any decor. Here is how you can do it yourself.

Warning! Soldering iron and glue gun are hot. Do not touch the items directly.

Step 1: Gather Your Ingredients

-Picture frame

-Picture insert

-Light-emitting diode (LED; I used 6)

-2032 Battery (1 for each LED)

-Hot glue gun with glue

-Soldering iron with solder

-Scissors

-Electrical tape

-Thin piece of plastic or paper

Step 2: Preparation

Plug in both your soldering iron and your glue gun so they will be ready to go when you need them.

Step 3: Disassemble Your Picture Frame

Remove everything but the glass.

Step 4: Glue

Warning! Hot glue gun and glue will be hot!

Note: Make sure the LED wire ends face each other correctly. Electricity will flow from negative to positive. Test the LED on a battery if you are not sure which side is which. It will only light up one way.

Apply glue to the LED. After applying glue, attach the LED to the picture frame. Make sure to apply firm pressure while the glue cools.

Step 5: Cut Wire

Cut your wire to length based on the size of your frame. Crimp approximately 1 centimeter from each end of wire.

Step 6: Solder

Warning! Soldering iron and solder will be hot!

Solder the wires to each LED. You want to end up with a chain so electricity can flow from the batteries to the LED.

Cut one of the wires in between the LED and strip approximately 1 centimeter from both ends.

Step 7: Batteries

Create a stack of batteries and use electrical tape to attach the wires you cut and stripped in the previous step.

Note: Electricity will only flow one way.

The LED should all light up at this point. If they do not, double check your soldered wiring and make sure your battery is facing the right way.

Step 8: Cutout

With your scissors, make a cutout behind the picture frame. Make sure the cutout is big enough so the wires fit through.

Step 9: Reassemble Your Picture Glass

Add your picture and everything else to the frame.

Make sure to keep the wires tucked in.

Step 10: Switch

You can add a piece of plastic in between the batteries to turn off your LED.

Step 11: Profit

Place your new frame anywhere around the house.