Heirloom Picture Frame

Source: Better Homes and Gardens Online

Wooden picture frame
Sandpaper
Tack cloth
Liquid crackling medium
Acrylic paint in a dark color (for the base coat)
Acrylic paint in a light color (for the top coat
Paintbrushes
Antiquing medium (or diluted brown paint)
Lint-free rag (optional)

Sand the frame until all traces of any old finish are removed and the wood is smooth. Remove the sanding dust with a tack cloth.

Paint the frame using the dark acrylic paint. Apply one or two coats for complete coverage, and let the base coat dry.

Apply the crackling medium in long, smooth, even strokes. If you happen to miss a spot, immediately touch up only that spot. It's natural for streaks and uneven spots to develop as the medium dries.

Add the top coat of paint after the crackling medium has dried completely. Again, use long, even strokes. (Don't go back and paint over areas you've already covered or the paint won't develop cracks.) You'll see the cracks appear in the direction of your brushstrokes.

To further age the finish, you can apply antiquing medium (or diluted brown paint), if you like. Wait until the light top coat of paint is dry, then brush on the antiquing medium. Immediately remove the excess with a lint-free rag, and let the medium dry.