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Message 1
From: "amanda yopp"
Date: Fri, 14 Jan 2005 07:58:16 -0600
Subject: [Baren 26822] Re: Framing
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I worked as a framer for years and taught many classes on matting and
framing. Supplies you must have: a good ruler, white eraser, post-its,
screwdriver (for metal frame), wire cutters, needle nose pliers (metal
frame), wood glue (wood frame), and a band clamp (wood frame). A band clamp
can be found at your local home depot for $13. I think it works better than
a corner clamp although you are limited by size (however I have an extension
for mine). When you buy metal frames from a framing supply company (I
recommend Graphik Dimensions Ltd @ www.pictureframes.com or American frame
@www.americanframe.com) make sure they include the hardware. Some charge
extra for hardware. I've included a list of frame suppliers that I know
about - there is also a wholesale framing supplier called Universal (I
think) and if you have a business license- try them. You can get great
deals from them. With wood frames, most suppliers include plastic "V-nails"
to help keep your frame together so you won't need to nail them.
Instructions are usually included. A good mat cutter: any Logan system. If
you are cutting mats that are under 30 inches then the basic Logan compact
($75) should be fine. However it's basic- nothing fancy but it will do the
job. For anything larger get the Log Intermediate- this is still basic but
you can make cuts up to 38 inches and it includes a straight cutter. Step
it up to a Logan 750 simplex mat cutter ($300) for a straight edge and some
fancier perks. Do your research before purchasing a mat cutter and you can
get better deals online verses going to your local art store. Let me know
if you have anymore questions. I don't get to all my Baren email so email
me directly awyopp@hotmail.com. Oh and the post-its are for when you've
already closed the frame and notice a little dirt under the glass. this
works better with metal frames than wood. Open one side of your metel frame
and use the post-it to retreive the dirt-- just make sure not to let the
sticky side to touch the glass.
-Amanda

American Frame
www.AmericanFrame.com

Cheap Joe’s Art Stuff
Inventory changes frequently, has some good deals, lots of different art
supplies
374 Industrial Park Drive
Boone, NC 28607
e-mail: info@cheapjoes.com
phone: 1-800-227-2788
www.cheapjoescatalog.com

Daniel Smith
All of your matting and framing needs
P.O. Box 84268
Seattle, WA 98124-5568
Customer Service: (800) 426-7923
www.danielsmith.com

Dick Blick
Most of your matting and framing needs.
P.O. Box 1267
Galesburg, IL 61402-1267
Phone (800) 828-4548
Fax (800) 621-8293
www.dickblick.com

Franklin Frames
609 West Walnut Street
Johnson City, TN 37604
1-800-322-5899 In2Art
In2Art.com has all the art supplies you need. We are not just an online art
supplies leader, but a brick and mortar art supply store. We carry over
45,000 art supply items in stock and we are adding new
Art & Frame of Sarasota
1055 South Tamiami Trail
Sarasota, FL 34236
Phone:941-366-2301
Toll Free:800-393-4278
Fax:941-366-1352
Email:orders@in2art.com
www.in2art.com

Mister Art
www.misterart.com

Pearl
Has a variety of artists supplies, no real printmaking selection
www.pearlpaint.com

Graphik Dimensions Ltd.
www.pictureframes.com

Utrecht
Assorted artists’ supplies
1-800-223-9132
http://www.utrechtart.com/

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Message 2
From: Jeanne Norman Chase
Date: Fri, 14 Jan 2005 06:41:42 -0800 (PST)
Subject: [Baren 26823] Re: Pricing
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Gayle

I echo your feelings about framing. There is a positive art to the whole process and try as I may, I cannot frame at all. My frustration level must increase my blood pressure ten fold.

When I moved into my new studio, my husband set up a framing room. Mat cutter, shrink wrap, the whole nine yards. I tried to shrink wrap and just about ruined the whole thing. It was a mess..I gave up. Then tried framing. Numbers and inches and trying to fit everything was maddening. I gave that up.

With all of that room and the tools for framing, I would rather take my pieces to a framer and the time it takes to badly frame a piece, I can accomplish something in my art. Also lower my blood pressure.

Hooray for those who can frame. Barbara, just come on over and TEACH me. My hubby was a professional framer but his tolerance for my klutziness is on zero.

Jeanne, the frustrated framer.........NOT

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Message 3
From: Barbara Mason
Date: Fri, 14 Jan 2005 07:15:43 -0800 (PST)
Subject: [Baren 26824] framing
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Jeanne,
Why on earth is your husband not doing your framing????? Make him a pie! I would love to come and visit Florida, it is 30 degrees for the high today here in Oregon.
Barbara

>Barbara, just come on over and TEACH me. My hubby was a professional framer but his tolerance
>for my klutziness is on zero.

>Jeanne, the frustrated framer.........NOT

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Message 4
From: FurryPressII # aol.com
Date: Fri, 14 Jan 2005 10:23:43 EST
Subject: [Baren 26825] framing
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I look at framing totally different from other people I make my own
frames as part of the piece and not just something to hold the print. I started
making my frames when I got this frame from a framing shop and they charged
me $125 for $5 of walnut lattice. I have always enjoyed wood working so the
next step was to work with the wood. To me gallery frames are rather boring.
I like to carve text that relates to the print which then makes the frame a
part of the piece.

john center

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Message 5
From: "marilynn smih"
Date: Fri, 14 Jan 2005 08:01:51 -0800
Subject: [Baren 26826] RE: Baren Digest (old) V30 #2921
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I moved away from selling my work when we started coming south for 6 months
of the year. I am now waiting to get my house in washington finished to
open my own studio, which will be open at my discretion and by appointment.
In my experience you can only sell what the market will pay. I had work in
a gallery in seattle for a time and priced it quit low because I wanted to
get rid of my inventory. It did not sell well. when I raised the prices
the sales got larger. Some times the public thinks more is better and less
is not so good, go figure.
Making a name for yourself will enable you to raise your prices. I learned
this past year about donating work for a raffle. They loved the piece, it
was double matted and in a nice frame, well presented. It increased my
reputation and suddenly everyone wanted some of my work. I sold several
pieces just from doing that, so some times you have to give to get. I now
have 2 commissions awaiting me upon my return north, also from the raffle
donation.
I concur with do it yourself framing. Some times the big name frame shops
do a bad job. My husband had a copy print given to him by his company, some
award or something. It had been framed by a big name shop and the piece was
slipping from its mat and it was obviously not achivial, no acid free tape
here!
Presentation is oh so important. It is better to just mat them and put them
in those great plastic bags than to use shoddy frames.
Also for selling, check out local spots, like a coffee shop or small gift
shop. they are often delighted to get art and will take lsee of a
commission than a gallery.
Funny thing about our area in washington, all the artists seem to have a
gallery frame shop. They are taking in other peoples art and making money
on the framing of it. Goes to show you where the money is, FRAMING!!!!
I agree that the experts on this issue are probably Maria and Barbara, good
tips guys, thanks from me as well.
Oh and Charles I have not said congrats on that museum show, good going!
Marilynn

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Message 6
From: Bette Norcross Wappner
Date: Fri, 14 Jan 2005 11:15:20 -0500
Subject: [Baren 26827] Re: framing
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I think we should all go see Jeanne and her studio! I've seen it and
its the best. She has a room for each type of printing - even
moku-hanga! If each of us made a pie for her husband, maybe he'd do a
demo.

Bette.

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Message 7
From: Bette Norcross Wappner
Date: Fri, 14 Jan 2005 11:18:17 -0500
Subject: [Baren 26828] Re: framing
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John, I think you have the best idea of all. Just think of all the
money you're saving and the owner of your art has the most unique and
original frame on earth. Do you have photos of these to share online?

Bette.

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Message 8
From: Jeanne Norman Chase
Date: Fri, 14 Jan 2005 11:18:16 -0800 (PST)
Subject: [Baren 26829] Re: framing
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Hey Bette

My hubby has sworn off of framing since he retired 10 years ago, AND
he does not like pies!!!!
Ah the difficulties of life!!!

And if I have a room for Moku Hanga. Why don't I do any?????

Jeanne

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Message 9
From: Cucamongie # aol.com
Date: Fri, 14 Jan 2005 18:25:22 -0500
Subject: [Baren 26830] framing
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I don't seem to have the patience or ability to cut a matboard straight, so I leave framing to the professionals. I have to beg to differ with Maria's statement that framers "they never do a very good job in terms of archival
materials and mounting". The framers I've used on the East Coast all use archival materials and do such a great job that it is not worth the stress or cost of the time spent to me to frame unless I have no choice as I am in a crunch. To each his own, and I take my hat off to anyone who can do a good job of framing themselves but if it's a job you just don't feel "cut out" to do, I suggest scouting around for a good framer --
best wishes
Sarah

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Message 10
From: "Bea Gold"
Date: Fri, 14 Jan 2005 16:00:38 -0800
Subject: [Baren 26831] Re: framing
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I'm going on a cruise with my daughter (travel writer) Leaving Sunday. I wanted to work on my woodcut on board for Barbara Patera's pets exchange due Feb 1st . I was told I couldn't take my tools for security reasons! Sooo I'm cutting like mad to take a precut board to print. Moku Hanga. Should be interesting. I cut and printed my little post card size board for the Year of the Goat exchange on a river cruise two years ago. They let me have a corner with a table and chairs, to be my own studio. This year it is a10x15 print. A challenge.
Bea Gold

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Message 11
From: Mary Brooks-Mueller
Date: Fri, 14 Jan 2005 18:18:08 -0800 (PST)
Subject: [Baren 26832] Re: framing
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Unless I'm in a pinch I prefer to make my own frames
from my never-ending pile of sticks and wood that I
collect. I like the natural effect of tree limbs cut
lengthwise (especially mesquite)with a bandsaw - this
shows the lighter interior and the darker edge or even
thin bark layer. I cut a grove in the back for the
glass or sometimes just mount the print on top of the
glass and leave it uncovered. Also, you can adhere or
chin-colle the print to a heavier paper and then
bookbind it the wood. A one page book.
There are so many sculptural effects that build from
the print to make a "whole" piece.
Mary Ann
Mexico

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Message 12
From: "amanda yopp"
Date: Fri, 14 Jan 2005 22:04:31 -0600
Subject: [Baren 26833] RE: framing
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I have definitely seen some terrible framing! I used to work for the
galleries at UW-Madison and take care of their 1400+ artworks. I was
constantly reframing works. I saw lots of masking tape, wavy, acidic mat
board and acidic backing board. Archival is the way to go!! And I tried to
push the archival framing on my boss but it usually wasn't in the budget.
As for having a framer use archival materials- you do have to be careful as
to who you go to. A good thing to do is have the framer or designer (for a
larger place it's the person who helps you at the counter) talk to you about
the archival materials they use. Know where your money is going. You will
pay alot more for archival! And there are different definitions of archival
(although you wouldn't think it). My biggest pet peeve as a framer was to
see someone pay tons of money for fancy framing with archival materials and
then put regular nonglare picture glass on the piece. Regular nonglare
glass will fade artwork very quickly. There are special types of nonglare
glass that will prevent the fading of artwork but cost $$$$.
I have made a few frames myself but it has been rarely worth the amount of
time I put into it. Only the frames that repeated a pattern in the artwork
were worth the hassle. I love frames that interact and enhance the piece.
My partner and I have several paintings with gorgeous frames created by the
artist. They are not perfectly done but are perfect with the paintings. I
am lucky to have time to do a print or a painting.
-Amanda

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