Framing Fall Leaves

Create a Post
F

Frame Gal

CGF, Certified Grumble Framer
Joined
Mar 23, 2008
Posts
143
Hi, I am new to The Grumble and am hoping someone has a solution to my most recent framing dilemma.

A customer brought in 30 leaves that she wants framed. We are putting them in a shadowbox frame so they will not be crushed flat, but, I am worried about them falling apart from being handled, frame being moved etc. They were pliable when she brought them in but were brittle in a couple of days. I vaguely remember reading you could spray them with hairspray to make them more stable. Has anyone ever done this and if so what kind of hairspray? Any other ideas?
 
Welcome to the Grumble!!

How did your customer find pliable Fall leaves this time of the year???

It seems like I recall a thread on this back some time ago which mentioned using a solution of water and glycerine to keep leaves pliable. Do a search in the archives using "mounting leaves" or "leaves" as a search word and see what you come up with.

Try this thread for starters:

http://www.thegrumble.com/showthread.php?t=25920&highlight=mounting+leaves

Good luck.
 
Check with a local College Botany Department on leaf preservation. I think that once they have begun to desiccate naturally, they may be too far gone to work with sucessfully.
Curious as to how you were planning to hold the leaves in place in the shadow box?
 
there is a flexible floral preservation solution called "Never Say dye" www.vandykestaxidermy.com Maybe that would do it.It`s supposed to be able to preserve trees/leaves in a pliable condition.contact them for info. L.R.
 
Thanks to everyone for all the input.

Tom, The thread you refered me to was great,l if it works that will be the eaisest.

A floral preservation solution called "Never Say Dye" from a taxidermy business seems very appropriate. A great plan B. And, calling a Botany Department, why didn't I think of that. I hope they are not too far gone.

So many good ideas. I will keep you posted of the results.

My customer told me where the leaves came from but I don't remember, sorry.

I am planning on a spot of hot glue to attach the leaves.
 
I saw those in a gallery in Sacramento last Fall. They are absolutely beeeautiful! The pictures on the site don't do them justice at all.

I almost bought one for my mom, but she was with me and I didn't want to ruin a surprise. Now I know where I can order them. Thanks, Janetj!

I just finished framing two "skeletonized" leaves, with tiny little landscapes painted on them, from China. Nothing as pretty as Booker Mori's Fall leaves, though.
 
Create a Post
Back
Top