Amateur Hour

Patti

Grumbler in Training
Joined
Apr 1, 2002
Posts
6
Loc
Hudson Valley, NY
I'm not sure how much this will interest most of you, but I've really enjoyed reading posts here and learning from all of you, that I thought I'd show off some work.

I am very new to framing - took an "adult ed" class taught by a wonderful local frame shop owner in January and loved every minute of it. I am not looking to get in the business, at least not for many, many years, but I am looking to improve my skills. Right now I am mostly framing my own original art for my home and gifts, frame projects for friends and family, and a series of landscape photographs for my home.

The following photos are of a gift I just finished:

Patti's%20angled%20arch%20mat.jpg


Patti's%20angled%20arch%20mat%20close%20up.jpg


The art is my own paper-cutting/calligraphy. The mats were cut by hand. And the frame is a ready-made, I would have much rather cut and joined my own frame, but being an amateur I still haven't been able to find anywhere to get the molding (I tried creating some of my own, but I am not a woodworker!). As it was, I had to re-paint the frame, I hated the ready-made finish. The gold band on the top mat is scapbooking paper affixed to the mat.

Thanks again to everyone for the great discussion on these boards.
Patti
 
Patti,

I have to congratulate you and welcome you to the Grumble.

There, but for the grace of God, went all of us!

You have done well for 4 months experience and maybe your first attempt at matting and framing. You could have just as easily gone for the straight rectangular opening but you opted for the more difficult angled opening which shows an interest to dive right in and test the waters of difficulty.

Your mat margins are parallel and most of your undermat reveals are even. Experience will be your best teacher on where and how to cut the second mat when you are doing it by hand. We become too complacent with the "automatic" cutters on the market today and forget what it was like to lay out a design and cut it by hand.

And your cut paper art is very impressive. Keep up the good work and stay informed by keeping up with the postings on the Grumble.

Framerguy
 
That is what this fourm is meant for:
To show off what you are proud of. (You really should be proud of that, it is very well done.)

Tell me, did you do the art too?

Also, you should think about hooking up with a framer in the area.

Call around, one will have a version of consumer chop serivice.

Meaning: Go in with your art. Pick a frame and they will order the mldg. and cut it to size.

Also, big secret. If you walk in with (actual)cash, and are willing to give a general "look" or style, but let them pick a mldg from what they have laying around, they may cut you a deal.

They get rid of what is tied up money. And you get a frame cut to size.

Any responses from other framers on this?
 
Thank you for the kind words.

Marc, yes, it is my own art. I hadn't thought about trying local shops just for just the molding - I guess I had just assumed that they would want to do the whole package. But you're right, it doesn't hurt to call around.

Since this is not my job, it is a slow process for me - I have to fit my framing in around the rest of my life. Slow and steady, that's my motto...

Thanks again, Patti
 
Most of the shops I have been with have had a box of odd short pieces of molding that "we'll get around to making ready-mades from". If you aren't too specific, you can usually get a good deal on a frame cut from scrap, especially if you can join it yourself. Some places sell scrap mat board as well.

Find a friendly framer, and ask for advice on doing your own frames. Most of us have a soft spot in our heads... er, hearts... for someone who is genuinely interested in the craft. Also, it's nice to have someone bring in a cool piece of art to frame, instead of just another print. (Around here, something Southwest, blech!)
 
Marc,
Those are amazing. I can see why the "unfinished" are unfinished - they are so intricate. I haven't even come close to anyhting like that. I have another piece that I have done (its actually the first piece I framed myself) that I will have to post some time in the future.

I see you used a razor blade for scale for one of the pictures. Is that what you use to cut yours?

Those rosettes with the shading are very cool. I actually cheated on my interlocking hearts. Its not one piece of paper, it is several cuts, strategically laid out and assembles so that the seams are under the crossing over pieces.

Patti
 
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