Courtesy of one of our fabulous framers - Lana Lambert My mother did these wonderful little needlepoint vegetable samplers when she was in college. I remember them from childhood and when I recently inherited them I realized that the framing did not do it justice. Even though they were kits that had the yarn colors already picked out and instructions on how to assemble, I marveled at how delicately she wove the fibers together and meticulously she put it all together. To me, it was like magic! Looking at the tattered old frames they were in and some to the open air, it seemed disrespectful to let something I loved so much languish to the elements of time. I picked out these beautifully carved wooden frames from Nurre Caxton, a moulding company we carry at Creative Framing. They are from a line called Palladio. They come in silver and gold as well but I liked the natural wood because we have a log cabin and it also reinforces the Roycroftian Arts & Crafts style I like so much. When I removed the old framing, the original mounts were in bad condition. They consisted mostly of cardboard, masking tape, and even some glue. We carefully extricated the delicate embroidery and stretched it over an acid free board. Next, a soft cream colored mat was chosen to compliment the original fabrics and a delicate green line was traced around the mat opening to both accentuate the needlepoint work and to help break up the monotony of the mat color. Lastly, mat risers were added to create depth of space. The particular molding we used is a shadowbox so we were able to take the opportunity to create a deep display and allow the three dimensional needlework to retain its shape rather than be crushed under glass. The whole was sealed against mold and bugs and put under Conservation Clear glass to protect the colors that fabric arts are so notorious for losing. Now, my family heirlooms can be displayed in a place of honor for all to see and I don't have to worry about fading, bugs, or moisture and the materials that they are resting in are acid free! I hope the generations to come will love them as much as I do!
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Recently, we had the honor of being commissioned to preserve a set of medals for a customer. This job was particularly challenging because the customer wanted a beautiful presentation for the medals that would be archival, but he also needed access to them because he sometimes took the wings out to wear them. The older set of medals had been passed down through the family and they were beginning to deteriorate from age. The beautiful silk material used to hold the ribbons was starting to fray and release due to the weight of the medals themselves. We decided to mount the medals onto a clean linen backing and sew them down in a way that would present them very nicely while at the same time taking the weight of the medals off of the ribbon material to keep them from further damage. The wings were given linen loops to nest into so that they could be removed when the customer would like to take them out. In order to be able to take them out, we had to custom design the backing to swing open like a door! Turn buttons and brass hinges complete the piece. A small brass hanger with a black satin ribbon acts as a pull knob without the protrusion of a traditional knob. It stays flat when the piece is hung on the wall via the sawtooth hanger. Of course, we had it installed with UV protecting glass so that the fabric on the medals could be further protected from fading.
It was a challenging project that was so gratifying to see come together. Those medals now have a home that displays them safely for all to see instead of being hidden away in a drawer! As wedding season approaches and invitations arrive in the mail, we all get giddy with anticipation of a another blissful union. Anne was recently invited to a spring soiree in Lynchburg. To mark the occasion uniquely, she decided to frame her invitation as a gift to the newlyweds. To mirror the thought and care that the bride and groom took to set the mood of their wedding with their invitation design, Anne set out to hand paint a double-glass creation that was one-of-a-kind. Here's a peek into the process of the construction of this invitation's new home: In a double-glass frame, the picture is mounted to a back glass and covered by another piece of glass on the front side to make the artwork appear to float on the wall within its frame. Anne chose conservation grade glass to protect the artwork from fading. The area that the invitation would occupy was taped off and the the border of the back glass was painted to extend the invitation's colors out to the frame. The fireflies that glow on the invitation were included in the painted border on the glass painting. When the paint dried, the masking tape was removed to leave a crisp edge where the invitation would be attached. On the back, the painting shows through, continuing the image that is on the back of the invitation. The frame was chosen to mimic the top of the mason jar. When finished, the invitation floats in a sanctuary between the two pieces of glass. This look casts a shadow onto the wall behind it and creates a unique depth and dimension. When we receive invitations in the mail, we get the sense of the kind of event that the bride and groom envision as their perfect day. A unique frame design allows you to show them that you understand their style. Framing their invitation in their style preserves that memory for years to come.
Can you tell she had so much fun making this?! |
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November 2021
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