Opinions Wanted floral headpiece shadowbox

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LeMieuxGalleries

LeMieuxGalleries

CGF, Certified Grumble Framer
Joined
Sep 24, 2008
Posts
146
Hi all!

So, just took in this lovely headpiece from a graduation. We would like it to be shadowboxed and preserved the best way possible. It is already dry, so does that exclude the option of freeze drying it?

As for using silica gel...
I have never used it and am open to taking suggestions/ bits of wisdom from any who has relevant experience.
Thanks in advance, Elena
 

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I did one a couple months ago. It had dried for 2 years so I tacked the wire form to the backing with stitching. Because of the minor flakes I used about 5 or 6 layers of foam core between the backing matboard and a double mat with a round opening against the glass. This way any flakes fall between the mat and backing so it does not show. I used museum glass on the piece and it looked like a million bucks.
 
well, that's a great idea!
i may have to copy you a little there.

so, is it unnecessary to chemically preserve these flowers?
 
I believe that the florists just freeze dry them but add no coatings. You can call some florists in your town and ask them about the process they use even though most send them to an outside source. You can also do a search in the Commercial Post forum here on the Grumble as someone was selling equipment and went into detail about the process.

Here's the thread with a link to the website containg the info.

http://www.thegrumble.com/showthread.php?t=46368&highlight=freeze+drying+flowers
 
I think, in that case, I would clearly tell them that although you can frame it, you won't know how it will hold up in the end.

You're the framer, objects are brought in to be framed. It is not your job to dry this as that is not your profession.

As long as your customer is aware of this, I would concentrate on framing it or suggest they contact someone to have it professionally dried.
 
You wont be able to freeze dry it now that the piece is already dried.
Usually you have to get the flowers to the freeze dryer ASAP!! And then it takes weeks afterwards to freeze dry them!

I would mount it in the shadowbox as is......its gonna crumble....especially if there is baby's breath in it!! No way to get
around that! Good luck with whatever you decide!!!! :D
 
I am afraid that spraying with a clear coat would make the delicate flower parts transparent. But you could always ask a florist what they do.

I have to say here and now that every time I see your name, LeMieux, I think of Pepe LePew. Isn't that what his girlfriend always said, "Le Mieux, le mieux?" Remember, she was a cat and always tried to meow in French. Or maybe he said it, to lure her into his arms.

Carry on.
 
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