How to mount a leaf?

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unframed_mystery

CGF II, Certified Grumble Framer Level 2
Joined
Jun 7, 2002
Posts
264
Loc
S.Yorkshire, England
Help!

I need some advice on how to mount a leaf. It's actually an original oriental painting done on a leaf (a real leaf). Customer is very particular.
I can't glue it down. There's abit of a stem at the bottom of the leaf. It's almost transparent and does not look very durable!

Has anyone dealt with one of these before?

:confused:
 
Unframed, I did something similar a while ago. I knew the customer and she knew the artist so I took a bit of license with her. I sprayed the leaf with acrylic sealer because it hadn't been properly dried and was very brittle. Spraying it made it more stable. I then was able to sew it to the matboard around the stem in a couple of places. Like I said I took license since I knew the person. I'm sure spraying it may not be PC. Good luck!
 
Sprayed a child’s painting on acetate once- because the paint was flaking and unstable. When I came back to see if it had dried, 80% of the painting had curled and pealed up. Took me two hour to glue down the curls and paint in all the cracks. My Point – Don't spray anything on the delicate leaf.

Since the leaf is translucent, hinging is not an option.

Cut a sheet of Mylar larger than your mat opening and use acid-free tape to very gently secure the Mylar over the leaf, creating a slightly-domed pocket. Use at least a double mat and or, create a shadow box by spacing the mat with Artcare foam. A fabric mounting board will grip the leaf better than paper. There is another fine mesh fabric that you can use to hold the leaf down – but I don’t remember the name.
 
Hi unframed,

Does your leaf look anything like this one?

leaf.jpg


Here is a closeup of the details of the leaf:

leafdetail.jpg


I framed this one a few years ago and it was extremely delicate to handle. It WAS pretty much flat to start with so what I did worked without a hitch.

I encapsulated the leaf in mylar and then attached the mylar to the back mat centering it in the top mat opening. It was a pretty basic straight forward framing so you shouldn't have too much difficulty with it.

(I also won a hundred bucks with it in the "You Framed What?" column in DECOR magazine.)

TOOT, TOOT!!(Sound of Framerguy blowing his own horn). :D

Framerguy
 
Hi U/M

Did something very simular to the the pictures Framerguy has posted above about 8 weeks ago.
The leafs were handpainted in India and brought back as a souvenir.
My approach was a little different then Framerguy's but his method is one I will keep in mind for next time.

I rubbed the back of the leaf's stem with some glue (only the back part that would not be visible) and let it get a bit tacky. Then I placed them onto the matboard that seved as the backing and let it stand overnight. Next morning the leafs where nicely bonded to the mat and there was no chance of them dropping off. I then cut the matboard (doublemat) and cut 1" strips of artcare foamboard and fastened them under my matboard with ATG tape. I then layed the completed mat onto the mat with the leaf and traced the dimensions for cutting. I finished the job with regular glass and a Larson Juhl Bamboo style frame. Looked great and the customer was very happy. If I recall (I am at home now) I charged about $110 each.
 
I honestly wasn't advising spraying the leaf either I was just stating what I did with one once. Spraying with acrylic sealer is considered an accepted method for preserving leaves and flowers. I had a floral specialist who I did framing for. She was an expert on preserving flowers and specialized in wedding bouquets. She would come to me for mats and framing after she decorated mats with dried flowers. She always sprayed them or had me spray them. If flowers or leaves aren't dried properly they will continue to dry and curl. The spraying gives it a coating and actually stabilizes the flower or leaf. I have saved many a rose or bouquet by spraying it. It binds it and keeps it from disintegrating further. It also keeps it from shedding and helps maintain the color.

The leaf I was refering to earlier was disintegrating and curling. The artist usually sprays her image just to protect it. I'm not talking about soaking it or coating it in one fell swoop. I'm not advocating spraying this one either. I wouldn't do that unless it was a last ditch effort or if the customer requested it. I just felt the need to clarify my earlier statement. :rolleyes:
 
Now, what WAS your point again, Kathy??? :D :D

FGII
 
Thanks for the input guys! I knew if I could leave you to it, some ideas would sprout ...one or two have taken root
(ok, maybe I'm going too far)

...btw Kathy, I use 'Design Master' dried floral preservative on wedding bouquets etc too ! ;)
 
Sorry Kathy,

I had a flash back of a bad experience.

I have no experience with dried flowers. Hope you can help when I need it.

Thanks for your tips.
 
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