We love our pets

We love our pets

Oct 28, 2019 | Gift ideas, Pet framing, Pets, Picture Framing

We love our pets

We Love Our Pets

Pets are a part of the Family – include them in your framing!

If you have a pet, you know how much love and joy animals can bring to your life. Many happy memories are made with your pet at your side – the ultimate companion! Most pets like dogs and cats are considered part of the family. When it comes to decorating your photo wall, don’t forget the pets! Whether your four-legged friend is curled up at your feet or has crossed the rainbow bridge, make sure to cherish their memory by including them in your framing. Here are some creative ways to remember your pet.

 

 

 

Why Do We Love Our Pets So Much?
They Give Us Unconditional Love: Pets love you unconditionally. Pets don’t care if you forgot to take the trash out, or if your boss yelled at you. They don’t judge you. They are just happy to be with you and spend time with you.
They Make Us Feel Needed: The act of caring for a pet has mental & physical benefits. It can give you a sense of purpose. Pets need physical activity. Exercising your pet regularly gets you up & moving.
They Remind Us How to Be in the Moment: As we become adults, it is easy to forget how to have fun and carefree. Pets can show us how to be more mindful as they don’t worry about what happened yesterday or what might happen in the future.

Your Favorite Photo

Start your day off right by looking at your favorite pet photo, guaranteed to make you smile every time!

Part of the Family

Don’t forget the dog! Pets are like members of the family. Include your pet in your next family portrait or birth announcement.

Paw Prints

Memorialize your pet by framing their paw print, your pet’s “signature.” A plaster impression or inked print will be kept safe within a frame.

 

Framing oil paintings

Framing oil paintings

Sep 1, 2019 | Caring for artwork, Oil Painting, Picture Framing

Framing oil paintings

The Different Parts of a Framed Painting

Oil paintings have been around for centuries. You’ve seen them lining the halls of museums, but do you know what it takes to frame one properly? What pulls it all together? Framing an oil painting is probably one of the most ‘taken-for-granted’ processes of picture framing.  Let’s break it down into its parts. 

Framing Oil Paintings

Is the painting dry?

You should not frame an oil painting until it is dry to the touch. If your painting requires a final varnish or glazing, you should not frame it until it is completely cured. Cured is not to be confused with Dry – oil paint can feel dry but is not completely cured. Oil paint reacts with air causing it to solidify over time. This process can take anywhere from two months to several years; how long it takes depends a variety of factors such as the thickness of the paint applied.

 

wet oil painting

Oil paint can take weeks to dry, longer if the paint is really thick.

Stretching the painting

Most paintings are sold already wrapped around a wood frame, a method known as Stretching. Quite often an artist will stretch the canvas on a frame that is inexpensive, raw wood. These frames can damage the canvas painting over time. For a painting to last forever, it should be stretched on a good quality kiln-dried raised-lip stretcher bar. These stretcher bars come in a variety of sizes and depths. We can advise you about the quality of your stretched canvas.

stretched canvas

Framing Options

Now that your painting has the proper structural mount, you can give it the finishing touch – the visible frame that surrounds it.  Traditional picture frames are frequently used to frame paintings, but we also have Floater Frames made specifically for works on canvas.  When should you use a Traditional or a Floater frame?  Most of that decision depends on what you like or want.  

  • If an artist’s signature is covered by the 1/4″ lip of a traditional frame, use a floater frame.
  • If the edges of the painting are unfinished or you can see staples, use a traditional frame. 
  • If your painting is not ‘square’ it will be very noticeable using a floater frame.  Ask us how we can fix that.  

 

Traditional Frames
Traditional picture frames have a lip that fits on top of the painting to keep the canvas secure. This lip covers approximately ¼” of the painting’s surface. The edges are completely hidden in the frame.

Floater Frames
Floater Frames attach to the backside of stretched canvas bars. The entire surface of the painting as well as the edges are visible. The canvas appears to float within the frame, thus the name Floater Frame.

It’s all about the kids

It’s all about the kids

Jul 2, 2019 | Family Framing, Kids art, Picture Framing

It’s all about the kids

Celebrate the creative children in your life!

There are many benefits associated with creating art.  It can be relaxing to paint, draw or color.  Art allows your imagination to run wild and your inner child to emerge.  But for kids, creating art can teach them so much. 

It encourages innovation & out-of-the-box-thinking

It fosters imagination and creativity

It builds confidence & self-esteem

It provides an outlet to express thoughts and feelings

Framing your kid’s art encourages your child; it lets them know they are important, and their talents are worth exploring.  Let them be part of the design/frame process – after all, they are the artist! 

Kids Portraits: Many parents have their children’s photos tucked in a wallet. Add some joy to your walls! Put a frame around that carefully posed portrait or the snapshot that makes you smile every time you look at it.

 

Endless Framing Ideas

Children provide endless framing possibilities…birth announcements, baby clothes, sonograms, sports games, religious rites of passage…so many milestones and achievements happen in such a short time. 

Celebrate Them!

 

Frames For Kids

Remember how much fun it was to match colors and patterns when you were a kid?  Involve your child/artist with the process of designing the frame package; they will take pride in their accomplishment.  We’ve got lots of fun, colorful mouldings that will match your kid’s art perfectly. 

Does a frame make a difference?

Does a frame make a difference?

Jun 1, 2019 | Caring for artwork, Picture Framing

Does a frame make a difference?

Yes!!! Most artwork benefits from having a frame

The frameless look is popular, but is it appropriate for what you need? Does it protect your art or enhance your image? Take a look at the examples below to see what a difference a frame makes.

 

“Art consists of limitation. The most beautiful part of every picture is the frame.”

– GK Chesterton

 

Example #1

This beach scene is shown with three different frame styles: unframed, simply framed, and double framed. Which one draws your eye the most? 

beach frame 1

beach frame 1

beach frame 2

beach frame 2

beach frame 3

beach frame 3

  1. Unframed Art – Wrapped canvas or print hung directly on the wall. Simple, plain, unprotected.
  2. Simple Frame – Art framed with a simple frame that matches the neutral colors of the image will expand the view.
    A frame will add stability to the wood frame the canvas is stretched on or protect the raw edges of a photo mount.
  3. Double Frame – A second stacked frame adds interest. Visualize it on your wall.
    Because of the contrast, your art immediately becomes a focal point. It looks like you are stepping into the picture.

Example #2

This cityscape is also shown with three different frame styles: unframed, simply framed, and double framed. Which one has the most impact?

Building 1

Building 1

Building 2

Building 2

Building 3

Building 3

  1. Unframed Art

  2. Simple Frame – Add a simple silver frame that blends into the building.

  3. Double Frame – Add a fillet (the black piece surrounding the art).
    Notice how it gives it depth to the image and highlights the black in the windows?

What Is A Fillet?

A fillet is a small piece of moulding that fits inside a frame. It is decorative, designed to enhance, like jewelry. Ask us how a fillet would enhance your art.

Example #3

Take it a step further! Frame it your way. There are no wrong answers, only different tastes!

  1. Unframed Art

  2. Simple Black Frame

  3. Black frame with gold fillet

  4. Two frames + fillet = Stunning!
birds silhouette 2

bird silhouette 1

birds silhouette 2

birdsilhouette 2

birds silhouette 3

bird silhouette 3

birds silhouette 4

bird silhouette 4

Honoring our heroes

Honoring our heroes

May 1, 2019 | Family Framing, Gift ideas, Military Framing, Picture Framing, Projects

Honoring our heroes

Custom Framing lets you cherish the memory of your favorite Hero. 

What makes someone a Hero? Courage? Strength? Heroes come in all sizes and shapes and are all around us. Firefighters, police officers, and soldiers selflessly perform their jobs without thinking about the danger involved. Maybe your grandpa was a war veteran, or your daughter is active military. Show them they will always be in your heart by transforming their picture into a framed display.

Did You Know?

  • Memorial Day, formerly known as Decoration Day, began in 1864 when women decorated the graves of those who died in Gettysburg. The tradition continued after the Civil War in which 620,000 soldiers died. On May 5, 1868, it became a national holiday. In 1971 the date was changed to the last Monday in May.

  • President Ulysses S. Grant presided over the first Memorial Day ceremony on May 30, 1868 at Arlington National Cemetery with 5,000 people in attendance.

  • Today, 1,200 soldiers place flags on 260,000 graves at Arlington Cemetery every Memorial Day

  • It is customary to fly the flag at half-staff until noon on Memorial Day, and then raise it until sunset.

    For all the heroes out there…

    Thank you for your service!

Framed Fireman Badges

FiremanBadges

Framed Flag and Certificate

FlagPresentation

Framed Flag Presentation

FlagPresentation

Framed Military Medals

MilitaryMedals

Framed Military Medals

MilitaryMedals

Framed Policeman Badges

PolicemanBadges

Framed Policeman Portrait

PolicePortrati

Framed Navy Uniform

WW2NavyUniform

Military Document Framing

We can frame military documents, certificates, and discharge papers using conservation materials. Don’t let these important pieces of history go unprotected! Frame them properly. May might mean Memorial Day, but it’s also graduation season! A framed diploma makes a perfect gift for the graduate in your life.

 

Framing textiles

Framing textiles

Apr 1, 2019 | Caring for artwork, Family Framing, Picture Framing

Framing textiles

Fabrics, Clothing & Needlework can be Framed! 

Just because a sentimental item is made of fabric doesn’t mean it has to spend a lifetime balled up in your closet. Textiles like autographed sports jerseys, handmade cross-stich pieces, delicate embroidery and heirloom clothing can be protected with custom framing. Fabric pieces make for rich visual displays so you can cherish your memories every day.

 

 

 

 

Clothing

Favorite clothing like baptismal gowns, wedding dresses, and sports jerseys make for excellent framed displays. Capture a long-gone moment or vintage style – relive a winning sporting event, a beautiful wedding day, or a baby’s first outfit each time you see these pieces framed.

 

 

Souvenirs

Besides memories, the best souvenirs from travels are pieces of art; once framed, the art lets you remember your travels every day! Many travel destinations have fabric-based souvenirs unique to that region. The bonus? It fits in your suitcase for the journey home.

 

Crochet Needlework

Hand-made crocheted pieces can be delicate, beautiful….and hard to display without proper framing. Crocheting, tatting & knitting are quickly becoming a lost art. Whether these were passed down through generations or machine- made in the modern era, show them off in a custom frame.

 

Cross-Stitch & Embroidery

Countless hours are spent sewing an embroidered piece – it is a labor of love – but once the stitching is complete, it still needs to be properly mounted & pinned. To display a cross-stitch or embroidery, it must be framed.

 

Heirloom Creations

The afghan that your great-grandmother knitted became so fragile that you packed it away. Wouldn’t it be a show stopper to display it for everyone to enjoy? Create not only a conversation piece, but an heirloom.

Should You Put Glass On Textiles?

YES! Glass provides Protection. If the piece will be in direct sunlight, UV-filtering glass will reduce damage from harmful UV rays. Glass also protects the art from dust, dirt, smoke and other indoor pollutants.

Acrylic Vs. Glass: Both materials come with UV protection, but…

PROS:
Acrylic: available in larger sizes than glass, it is not as heavy as glass.Glass: usually not as expensive as acrylic

CONS:
Acrylic: has static, can lift fibers and distort the look of the piece, needs a special cleaner
Glass: if broken, shards can permanently tear fibers, does not come in oversize pieces

Conservation Materials Are Important For Textiles

Textiles need the same acid-free protection

that art on paper needs. If mat and backing boards have acids in them, they can ‘burn’ into textiles, causing damage to the fibers.

What Is Behind Your Textile?

Your textile is stitched or pinned onto acid-free matting or backing board to ensure that it will stay in place. This process does not harm your piece and is reversible. Spacers (usually a thin strip of acrylic) are used to keep the glass off your textile.

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