NOT JUST PICTURES

People are coming up with some real off-the-wall ideas when it comes to what they display inside their home – photographs and paintings are not the only things that can be framed.  You can make a striking impact by considering other items and objects that would look good.

For example, not only can you have your wedding photographs framed you can also create a unique memory of the day by incorporating objects and pictures within a frame, such as order of service, champagne corks or bottles, velvet ring bags, brides garter, groom’s buttonhole etc.

Framing objects can be as unusual as the stories behind the objects themselves. We are regularly asked to frame objects such as medals, sports shirts and golf balls but have also framed icing sugar flowers, whippet’s jackets and assisted in framing a complete wedding dress and veil.

18th Birthday Icing Sugar Flowers

Other items we have been asked to frame are:-

• Military and Historical memorabilia – medals, ribbons, badges, dog tags, patches etc.
• Family heirlooms
• Baby/children’s – booties, identity bracelets, lock of hair, hand & feet cast, ballet slippers etc.
• Craft designs – needlepoint, cross-stitch, quilts, dollies etc.
• Sports shirts and memorabilia
• Certificates, awards and trophies
• Pressed and icing sugar flowers
• Wedding keepsakes – tiaras, dresses, garters, flowers
• Sculpture – see gallery

The fact is that almost any personal item that has emotional value to you could take pride of place in your home rather than be stuck out of sight in a drawer somewhere or in the attic.

STANDARDS

“Bad artwork needs a good frame, good artwork deserves one.”

To this day I don’t know if the guy who told me this was serious or joking.

The fact is that whether artwork is ‘good’ or ‘bad’ is a matter of opinion and should not, in any way, affect the standard of framing. There are certain styles of artwork I personally wouldn’t give wall space, but it is the framer’s responsibility to be as professional as possible when dealing with the artwork and customer.

How artwork is handled, before and during the framing process, is not just a matter of initial care, it does affect the longevity of the piece.

There are, of course, different levels of framing recognised within the industry to suit the many levels and types of artwork available.

For example:

Minimum – Putting economy first

Budget – Visually pleasing, but offering no long-term protection

Commended – Guarantees a degree of protection, with design playing an important part

Conservation – Helping preserve your artwork for future generations

Museum – The ultimate protection for your artwork

This is not to say that every artist should have all of their original works framed to museum standard; determining which level is suitable should be a key part of the consultation between artist and framer.

For an artist it is important to develop a working relationship with a framer and the basis of this relationship is trust. Do you trust this person with the care of your work? Are you happy that they understand the process and materials needed to frame the piece to its required standard? Are they aware of the different standards? Can they advise on the best style of framing?

Any framer willing to undertake the framing of original artwork must at least be able to answer an artist’s questions satisfactorily.

My recommendation to any artist working with a framer is to discuss and check their standards against those of the Fine art Trade Guild.

With original artworks there can also be a financial implication, not least the cost of framing should one of the higher standards be considered necessary. Even more important is the financial effect on the piece as a direct result of framing. Auction houses have, for many years, lectured on the dangers of improper framing and have numerous tales of highly collectable pieces having been de-valued due to inappropriate framing.

All this said, don’t lose sight of the most important point; the frame and/or mount are there to augment and enhance the artwork not overpower it. If we do our job properly the frame should be viewed as part of the work.

Remember, it’s all about the art. People have put art on walls for thousands of years, but no one hangs an empty frame!