How to display travel coins as art. Use leftover currency to make a unique travel keepsake that will remind you of past trips.
I've been working on purging excess decor for a few years now and I'm sad to say that some of the decor that I've made in the past has just not made the cut of things that I continue to love. Bye bye ombre wood art and paint stroke canvas painting. Sometimes, older projects are cringe-worthy at first glance and then, other times, I view it as a sign of growth. We have to start experimenting to really find our groove.
All of that being said, there definitely have been projects that I've held on to because there was just something keeping me from purging them. Today's project, a simple coin art piece that I did in 2014 is one of those projects.
It's a project that I shared over six years ago but I felt needed some new life breathed into it. As you are purging and organizing, it's highly likely that you find leftover currency in the bottom of your closet or drawer. Instead of leaving those souvenir coins in the bottom of your spaces, why don't you try to do something with them?
What can I do with leftover currency?
- You can display coins in a unique art piece.
- You can make a travel keepsake box or book and put the travel coins in side.
- You can donate them (check your school or library for resources).
- You can try to cash them in.
Luke and I love to travel and we especially love to travel outside the US. Seeing other cultures, stuffing ourselves with new food and walking for miles to explore are all things that we just thrive on. You can find some of our past travels on the travel page of the blog if you want to see some of our adventures.
With traveling overseas, leftover currency is just part of the trip. It never fails that when we get home we find change here and there (stuffed in parts of my wallet, coat pockets or my purse). I've been stuffing the travel coins in a ring box for years and, occasionally, I will take some out for a trip; but most of the time I just forget about it.
I'm always looking for unique vacation keepsake ideas as we don't love to buy a ton of souvenirs while we are actually on vacation. I had the idea to use the leftover travel coins before but I couldn't think of anything modern to do with them that felt like us. I tried just dropping them in a shadowbox, gluing them in a line in a regular frame and arranging them in a unique way... none of that felt right. Then, I had an "ah-ha moment" while browsing for a picture frame for the kitchen. I came across some "baby's first year" frames with twelve circle openings. See where I'm going with this? Circle cut-outs of the mat board framing each coin would be just the thing.
Supplies Needed for Coin Art
- Travel Coins, Souvenir Coins or Pressed Coins
- Frame
- Mat (Cut at a frame store)
- Glue or tape
How To Display Travel Coins as Art
- Gather coins to use.
- Pick a frame.
- Have a graft store cut a mat board to fit your frame and coins.
- Use super glue on the coins to place them in the frame.
- Display and enjoy!
This project will likely run you about $15. I used a frame I had on hand but the custom matting isn't cheap. Hobby Lobby was able to cut the mat for me and I used a 40% off coupon which brought the price down.
Like I mentioned earlier, this project is one that I did years ago. I love that it recently landed in my sunroom by my framed rug art that I made. Both are making me smile.
If you love travel-type art, I have a few other travel-themed ideas that you can check out:
*This project was made when I was part of a monthly challenge to repurpose, recycle and reuse. I still love the idea of that challenge. There were a few other girls who did the challenge each month and you can find their projects below.
- Planter Accent Table by Thrifty and Chic
- Faux Grain Sack Pillows by It All Started With Paint
- Super Easy Lamp Redo by Life as a Thrifter
- Vintage Camera Lamp by Lovely Etc
- Patriotic Painted Denim Bunting by All Things G&D
Pin for later:
Julia@Cuckoo4Design
Simple, beautiful and modern. Since we travel a lot I might have to do something similar 😉
Ashley Mayes
Thanks Julia! It might be cool to start something with your kiddos and add one every year?
Linda @ It All Started With Paint
What a super idea to share and treasure your travels!
🙂 Linda
Ashley Mayes
Thanks Linda!
Jennifer @ Brave New Home
What a great idea! I still have so many coins from Europe before they all converted to Euros.
Ashley Mayes
Thanks Jennifer! You should totally try something similar with those puppies!
Holly @ Life as a Thrifter
I LOVE this idea! My husband would be all about it!! Could b a fun Father's Day gift!!
Ashley Mayes
Thanks Holly! It would be a pretty cheap gift too (which never hurts!). =)
Dusty @All Things G&D
Such a great way to display tokens of your travels - beautiful job!
Ashley Mayes
Thanks Dusty!
Carrie
This is such an awesome display! The simple circle cut outs add so much. I'll have to keep this in mind for the future. Right now all of our foreign coins are piled in a little bowl but it would be nice to get them out where they can be seen! Can't wait to see the travel gallery wall reveal.
Ashley Mayes
Thanks Carrie!
Carmody
Simple, clean and really pretty.
Ashley Mayes
Thanks Carmody!
Chelsea
What a great idea! My husband has a bunch of coins from all over the world from multiple deployments and we have them stuffed in a cookie jar. I would love to do something like this. What a fantastic idea!
Ashley Mayes
You could do something really cool with them... maybe something separated by deployment?
Corey @ TinySidekick
I love this idea. I have a rare coin that my grandmother gave me when I was a little girl framed by my bed, but love the idea of framing coins from places you've been. Thanks for linking up at The Makers!
Ashley Mayes
Thanks Corey!
Angela, blue i style
I'm stopping by from the Work It Wednesday party, and just wantedto say that I love this idea! I have tons of coins from when I lived in Australia, as well as from many other travels. I would really like to get them out of a box on onto the wall, so this is a great way to do it!
Ashley Mayes
Thanks for stopping by! If you end up making a similar one, I would love to see it.
Kim {Pinspired Home}
What a creative idea! I love it when special mementos can be turned into decor you can see everyday. 🙂
Found you at The Party Bunch!
Ashley Mayes
Thanks Kim!
Molly
This is perfect for my coins I still have from our Jamaica Honeymoon!!! Thanks for the great idea 🙂
Ashley Mayes
Yay! Welcome! Thanks for stopping by.
Carrie This Home
This is such a creative and beautiful way to display coins from other countries! Thanks so much for sharing it with our Frugal Crafty Home Blog Hop readers!
Ashley Mayes
Thanks Carrie!
Julie
You have a 50p! Whoop Whoop! I love this idea, much better than leaving them in a jar.
Did you know that in the UK we have a set of coins that make a shield picture when you put them together in a certain way. We have it framed in our hallway and it makes a great talking point. You can find it here: http://www.sumoftheirstories.com/2013/09/uk-coin-picture.html
(I don't normally link back to my blog in comments and I dont want to be all spammy so feel free to delete this if you like, I just thought you might be interested)
Ashley Mayes
Thanks Julie and I totally love the shield that you can make. I'm doing that next time around.
Sandy
I made this twice in the last week or so as gifts, loved it! I adapted your idea for My Aunts 90th birthday gift, securing coins from that year from different countries. Then went one step further for my brothers birthday and secured the year of his birth, and the countries of our heritage. It came out really well and they both loved their gifts! Thank you!
Ashley Mayes
That's so awesome! Thanks for sharing!
Kelsey Hilgers
How much did they charge you for the mat cutting? I went to Michael's today and they said it'd be $50 and not coupon eligible. I live about an hour away from Hobby Lobby and don't want to drive out there if it's similar pricing.
Ashley Mayes
I definitely had it done at Hobby Lobby and wouldn't have paid close to that. I'd recommend calling them because I can't remember exactly but I think it was around $17.