Sorry it’s been so long…
- At January 01, 2016
- By steve
- In Uncategorized
1
Breast Cancer Ribbon
First of all, I have to say I’m so sorry that that I haven’t posted anything in a really long time. We have framed many, really fun items this year, which I want to tell you all about, but first I want to tell you why I have been too busy to update this site.
My wife at one of her many doctor appointments
At the beginning of 2015, my wife of 20 years was diagnosed with breast cancer. As the year progressed she has seen more doctors, had more tests, and had more treatments than I could ever count. In our 20 years together I think I have only seen her once, sick in bed with a cold. This made it so hard to she her in the hospital so many times for treatments and tests. Through it all, she has kept she spirits up, and rarely have I heard her complain. I knew she was a strong woman, but this really showed us how strong she is. As we start this year, the tests have slowed down, and we are returning to what the cancer center calls “the new normal”.
If I ended up missing someone because of this last year’s adjusted schedule. I’m so sorry!
Framing of Disney’s Pinocchio
- At April 14, 2015
- By steve
- In Framing projects
- 0
I really love Disney, and years ago was offered a job to work in Disney’s Art Of Animation in Florida. I would have loved being the director of the art gallery for Disney, but we couldn’t get my wife’s medical license to transfer to Florida. So I very excited when had the chance to frame Disney’s Pinocchio. He’s produced on heavy weight paper, and needed to go into a narrow space between a doorframe and a thermostat. Since he’s on a deckle edge, he could be mounted on a mat board instead of having the board on top of the artwork.
We decided on a somewhat deep, gold frame to work with the yellows within the artwork. I also lined the edges of the frame with the deep blue suede mat board, and placed Museum glass on top to protect the artwork while at the same time minimizing reflections.
He came out great and here he is on the wall!
Displaying a Family Heirloom
- At April 10, 2015
- By steve
- In Framing projects
- 0
- The finished beaded purse
We recently had a wonderful woman come into the shop with a purse she received from her grandmother. The purse really meant a lot to her and she wanted to display it on her walls.
We picked out some black suede fabric to help show of the wonderful colors of the purse. I then stitched it to the board (never glued) so it displayed it nicely, but was also removable.
We also needed a moulding that had some small decorative elements that would go with the clasps, and also had the depth to allow the purse to be displayed away from the glass. We decided to use a black moulding and attach a nice filet to the inner edge. 
I also added the suede to the sides and glued them in place to create a custom box for the purse to be displayed within. We also used a piece of Tru Vue Museum glass for the front, to protect against damage (fading, dirt & dust) and since it is practically invisible, it doesn’t distract from the final project.
Old Location
- At March 25, 2015
- By steve
- In Conversation
- 0
The Old Location
So my old location is up for rent again. They went and cut down all the trees in the back yard, and now the place looks pretty sad. Spring time was always so pretty as the trees started to bloom. It’s amazing they are asking $500 more per month then I paid, when the place looks so barren.
Museum Framing Training
- At October 29, 2014
- By steve
- In Conversation
- 0
Huge Phibbs class on correct museum framing techniques
On sunday we had the opportunity to take a class that was taught by Huge Phibbs on museum mounting techniques, and the correct components of a properly framed artwork. This class was taught over at the Michigan League on the University of Michigan’s campus. The building was amazing, and luckily the class was on sunday, so I could find a place to park.
The hallway outside our classroom.
Mr Phibbs was a lead conservator for 45 years at the National Gallery of Art in Washington DC. He taught us about all the common (and uncommon) mistakes that he has seen, and how not to make them. He traveled the world and was responsible to insure the preservation of our nations most valuable artwork. In the 8 hours of class he covered so many topics, but the two most important were on the correct way to mount important art work, and the correct components of a properly framed art work.
Samples of properly framed items.
The one thing that I noticed as I looked through the people taking the class, was that I was the only picture framer from South-West Michigan. We had people drive 9 hours from the UP of Michigan to take this class, but I was the only frame shop from this side of the state. We repair a lot of improperly framed items (we currently have 23 pieces we are repairing right now), and I’m amazed at the mistakes other frame shops have made. Sometimes its just the wrong materials, and sometimes its more complicated, like improper mounting techniques. I can understand the craft stores not attending, but no other independent frame shops? From what I have seen, many of them could use the training. In fact, in the 20 years I have been taking classes (about 2 per year) I have rarely seen another SW Michigan frame shop at any of these classes. Sad…