DENVER -- The end of summer brings with it folders full of vacation snapshots. Some you will want to frame, others you may want to put on display for a short time in a less formal manner. These ideas for wire photo displays will be just the thing. Since no frame is required to display the photos, they can be easily changed when your mood dictates. Also, the holders can display various sizes of photos Some can stand alone on desk or table top, while another design is perfect hung on the fridge, a locker or other metal surface. Omit the magnets and this display rack performs beautifully hung on the wall.

Basic Wire Photo Stand

What You Need:

16 gauge wire
Needle nosed pliers
Side cutters
5/8” dowel or magic marker of a suitable diameter

To make one photo stand:

1. Start by making the part of the stand that acts as a clip. Cut a couple of feet of the wire. Wrap wire at one end two times around dowel or marker. With pliers, bend the long end of wire 90” from wire circle to create a stem. Wrap the short end of the wire back around the stem just below the two loops that form the clip. Snip end of wire. 2. About 2” below loops of clip, begin to shape the base of the stand as follows. Shape the wire stem into a triangular shape, similar to that of a coat hanger, with the base being about 3” across. Wrap the wire down to the first side of the base, bend at an angle using pliers, measure length of base, bend again to create third side of triangle. Use pliers to wrap long end of wire all the way around the stem at the top of the triangle. Extend the end of the wire to the back of the stand, creating an easel back. Coil the end with pliers and trim end to finish.

Variations:

To make a stand with several loops:

Make five stems with clips at the top as in step one, above. Leave ends about 15” on each. Twist all five wires together starting about five inches down from the loops. Twist together for a couple of inches. Then splay the five wires outward to form a stand. Trim and curl ends of wires as in step 2 above. Adjust the clips so they face the way you want. This is also a great message holder.

Wall hanging photo display:

To use on metal surface, buy 2 heavy duty magnets with hooks. Make five clips. Do this by proceeding as in Step 1 above, but instead of making a long stem, clip that wire to about 1” and form it into a loop at the top of the clip. Cut piece of wire about 18”. Thread clips onto length of wire. Use pliers to create loops in both ends Slide loops over hooks on magnets, hang on fridge, clip photos in place.

To hang on non-metal surface, simply omit magnets and hang on nails or decorative hooks.