Leather Fetish

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FrameMakers

FrameMakers

PFG, Picture Framing God
Joined
Mar 20, 2001
Posts
7,395
Loc
Powell, OH
At the WCAF show in Vegas I took a leather wrapping class (IMHO the class was not great, but gave me the courage to experiment on my own).

I have made several for myself but have recently been offering them to my customers. I have sold 3 with in the last month.

I have talked to many framers that have told me "I can't sell those, we don't get in western art". So far the ones I have sold have been on an Aboriginal Bark Painting, an African Batik, and a photo of Big Brown winning the Kentucky Derby. None of which is western art.

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Dave
 
Wow, what a great look! Are you passing along design/how to secrets? I'd be interested.
 
So how do you make those beautiful leather covered frames?

You start off with a chop of your moulding cut 1" longer then you need.

You cut a shallow rabbet on the outside of the frame.

Cut the 3-4 oz leather into strips, I use a straight line matcutter for this.

Using 3M Fastbond contact cement you glue the leather to the shallow rabbet, then let is dry overnight.

Brush on contact cement over the entire frame rail and the leather strip, let dry 30 minutes.

Wet the front side of the leather thoroughly with out getting the moulding or the inside of the leather wet.

Wrap the leather over the moulding making sure not to get air bubbles under the leather. I use a folding bone for this.

With the leather all nicely wrapped, set it aside overnight.

With sharp saw blades re-chop the frame to the final size.

Join the frame like normal but use a scrap of leather over the corner to protect it from the underpinners hold down clamp. Make sure not to get glue on the surface because it will hinder the stains that are coming.

Using an 8 prong leather chisel, punch slots on either side of the miter about 1/4" away from the miter.

Using a leather needle and moistened leather lace, braid or lace the corners.

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Wet down the entire frame and then start staining the frame with acrylic leather stains (wear rubber gloves, this stuff is designed to stain skin, it doesn't matter if it is yours or the cows). I like to use multiple layers of stains and even mix colors to build up a deep rich look.

After the stain has dried apply a coat of super sheen to seal the leather and make it shine.

The hardest part for me is to realize that the leather won't be perfect, it won't take stain evenly and with have small creases, dents and other irregularities.

All leather materials & tools were purchased from my local Tandy Leather store. They have wholesale accounts available at the stores, just need a tax ID number.

Dave
 
Those are beautiful, Dave. They look to be very labour intensive - I hope you charge accordingly!
 
Twin2 said:
Those are beautiful, Dave. They look to be very labour intensive - I hope you charge accordingly!
Click to expand...

I charge $30 a foot + $50 a frame. Material cost is about $4 a foot.

I would say that it takes about 2-2 1/2 hours per frame but not all at the same time. But with the economy the way it is, I have the time as long as I stay off the grumble/chat.

Dave
 
There`s a PDF file of just this sort of thing on the PFM site(somewhere).Just email them if you can`t find it..I did(loong story,lost my original file of it).Well worth the effort to find,nice article. L.
 
Very nice.
That would look good on mirrors, too.
 
Holy cow Dave!!! That leather frame compares very nicely with the "real stuff" from the big names (especially the one that begins with Me.....:))!!!

Incredible job duuude!!!:thumbsup:
 
Really nice! And there happens to be a Tandy store on the same street as my store. Maybe I should try this.

If anyone has a copy of that article, please e-mail me with it!
 
Dave--These are beautiful!
 
Find it here...

That article is from the Sept. 2006 issue of PFM, Pages 62-70.I would send it out,but apparently need a typed addy....My security won`t allow the good ol drag`n drop for the G`s emails. CRUD!....L.:o
 
I am really impressed!! It looks like you've been doing this for years. Are you taking orders??? I'd love to buy a sample from you, I think I could sell alot of these in my store. Are you interested??

Beautiful frame!!
 
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