little experience with Java and graphics

I'm writing an applet and I'm first creating a Frame with buttons, textareas, and textfields. What I really need to do is be able to use images 'instead' of the buttons and as a background to the overall Frame as well. In addition (although this part is not very crucial for the time being) how can I create custom pull-down menus (as in ones that look the way I want them to) in the Frame as well?

Does anyone know the best way to add an Image overtop of a component like a button? Please keep in mind that I must avoid any Swing and use only AWT classes. Thanks in advance.

[592 byte] By [uberallesa] at [2007-11-26 16:09:21]