Question framing round object

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J

jar head

Grumbler in Training
Joined
Apr 26, 2010
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8
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Greenville S.C.
Ok I have a round piece of leather that has an air brushed picture on it.It is cut in a complete circle.How can I mat and frame this without an oval cutter.I thought about cutting an octagon for around it.Any Suggestions?
 
I think easiest for you is to make friends with another framer, who might have an oval cutter, or a CMC.... not sure who your mat supplier is; but most can cut a mat for you as well.

I'm pretty handy with a handheld cutter, but that takes some practice.

Personally, I think the octacon will look silly....but that's my personal opinion.
 
If you cut a perfect circle in a mat for this job, you might notice that the leather is not exactly round. If you had a CMC I would suggest scanning/photographing the shape and making an exactly-shaped cutting file for it.

But if you do not have that capability, you can still do a good job with a carefully-traced template and an X-Acto knife. Practice on scrap matboard or flaw board until you get it right. All it takes is a good eye and a steady hand.
 
Shadowbox tutorial

auntiesarahjayne said:
why not float it and shadowbox it in a square frame?
Click to expand...

Is your item paper or does it have some depth to it? If it's paper, you could just mount it to the top of the matboard and use spacers to keep the glass off it.

SHADOWBOX (duh duh duuuuuhhhh!!![scary music])
If your item has some depth, ie canvas or tile etcetera, you will mount it to the matboard using screws through the matboard or some other sturdy, reliable method.
Use a very deep frame, at least 1 1/2 inches deep.
Create space for the item by cutting strips of matboard and strips of 1/8 inch thick foamcore. Allow at least 3/8 for glass and backing and the rest of the frame depth can be the width of you foam and mat spacers.
Clean glass, lay it in frame, using both tape (for short term) and glue (for long term adhesion) line sides of frame with foam, then matboard.
Some people like to adhere foam and mat first, then apply, but I find I get better looking corners if I do them seperately.
GOOD LUCK! HAVE FUN: this can be one of the funnest methods of framing if you are a process oriented person.
 
Round frames are available from Presto Frame and InLine Oval. Personally I like Presto :)

Your supplier could cut a circle for you, at least mine can. Sarah Graphics is affiliated with DonMar and they cut the ovals and circles. And ask a Grumbler many will do it, the closer the better as you may be able to go and pick it up and meet IRL :)
 
I can't help but think that floating it in a square frame would look better. Although I have no idea what the best way to mount it would be??
 
Only "problem" I can foresee is that if it is a really big item there will be a lot of mat in the corners. But I just finished a quilt square that we matted in a diamond opening, so a lot of mat all around and it looks good. Depends what look you are going for.

Reminds me of the saying a "round peg in a square hole". But there is no cookie cutter kind of solution :)
 
j Paul said:
Framing a round object in an octagon mat opening in a square frame doesn't look bad IMO. You can also cut the outside of the mat as an octagon and then build your frame octagon as well. Not that hard to do.
Click to expand...

If you can't get a round frame and mat cut, I like this idea. Depending on how big the item is. And it would get rid of the "dead space" in the corners.
 
j Paul said:
Framing a round object in an octagon mat opening in a square frame doesn't look bad IMO. You can also cut the outside of the mat as an octagon and then build your frame octagon as well. Not that hard to do.
Click to expand...

I agree, and have done that before.
However, a round object, an octagon mat and then a square frame just doesn't do it for me....
 
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