I thought if a picture is worth a thousand words than magnified 5-10 times would be that much better, right?
This idea was inspired by two treasured photos of my older brother and sister in Korea from the 1950s, but the original copies are very small. They only measure about 3×4” so I decided to attach a magnifying glass on the outside of the frame to help illuminate the finer details of the photo. I thought it would also make the photo viewing experience interactive and more intimate.
I found these bi-focal lenses and screwed them into an inexpensive frame I found at a close-out store. The frame cost $7.99 and the bi-focal lenses were $2.50 for the pair. They easily adjust up and down to view different angles of the photo. You can also find vintage optical loops at thepaperfleamarket.com for $3.00 each. Because the optical loops don’t come with a screw, just hang those from a thin black grosgrain ribbon affixed by a decorative tack across the top front of your frame for a truly personal touch to your home. These frames really make wonderful gifts for someone special in your life.
