Why Make Clay Picture Frames
A handmade frame adds emotional weight to the image it holds. The clay was shaped by the same hands that chose the photograph. These frames make extraordinary gifts — particularly for weddings, new parents, and graduates.
Building a Pottery Picture Frame
Planning the Dimensions
Standard photo sizes are 4x6, 5x7, and 8x10 inches. Account for clay shrinkage — typically 10 to 15 percent. The frame border should be at least one and a half inches wide.
Slab Construction
Roll a slab about three-eighths of an inch thick. Cut the front frame piece with the photo opening. Cut a solid back piece. Join front and back at the edges with slip, leaving an opening for photo insertion.
Ledge for Photo
Create a small ledge along the bottom edge between the slabs to prevent the photo from falling through.
Decoration and Finishing
Surface Treatment
The flat border is a perfect canvas for decoration. Stamp patterns, carve designs, or paint with underglazes.
Hanging Hardware
Attach a picture hanging wire or sawtooth hanger to the back after firing.
Learn from Stephen Jepson
Stephen's pottery video lessons teach the slab construction and joining techniques essential for picture frames. One-time purchase, lifetime access to all lessons.
Frame Styles and Occasions
Wedding frames deserve special attention — they will display one of the most important photographs in a couple's life. Use fine clay, careful construction, and a glaze that suggests permanence and celebration. Carve the wedding date into the frame border. Add subtle texture — lace pressed into the clay, for instance — that echoes bridal details. A wedding frame made by a family member carries profound personal significance that purchased frames cannot approach.
Baby frames capture another milestone worth framing in handmade clay. Include space around the photo opening for the baby's name, birth date, and weight — carved or stamped into the clay. Use soft, warm glazes that complement nursery colors. Some potters create combination frames that hold both a photo and a small clay handprint impression. These dual-purpose pieces become the most treasured objects in a nursery, bridging photography and pottery in one heirloom keepsake.