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What did you learn in 2013?

Myrna Dow

Myrna Dow

Frequent Poster
Messages
200
Loc
Bend, OR
Company
High Desert Frameworks!
In 2013, I learned:

1. Batiks can be ironed.
2. Screen mesh can be overlapped on a stretcher or strainer to create a larger base for tying down oversized pieces.
3. How to use a double miter saw - I am still on a learning curve with this new piece of equipment.

It is amazing to me how one little sentence can make a world of difference, if we aren't afraid to listen. With WCAF show coming up, I hope to learn some additional tidbits that will make my framing experience better than ever. They way I look at each class is, if I am able to learn at least one item, no matter how small, it is worth it!

Ready to hit the New Year - I think it will be a big one! Hold on and let's go!
 
Everyone knows I love painted variegated bevels, and painted variegated wrapped bevels.

In 2013, I learned how to do painted reveal mats in solid colors (instead of just variegated).

In the past, if someone wanted say 1/8 or 3/16 in reveal, for a 16 x 20 or smaller mat that I didn't have in stock, I would buy the second mat, discount the mat because I was using less than 1/4 of the mat, hope I could sell the rest before it got damaged, and then have the slight reveal.

In some instances if they wanted a variegated reveal, no problem I would paint the reveal. However, for a solid non-variegated mat, I was getting some variegation in color. I finally figured out how to do a very balanced solid color. Just did a great black on a cotton rag mat. Much less cost for me than buying a black rag mat. And I can use scrap rag mats I already have in stock.
 
Oops, I forgot a few things.

1. Pastels can fade
2. How to build a glass box - but I think I will still have Jim build it for me. The instructions are very clear, but being a perfectionist and not building that many, I would rather have a perfect one from Jim.

I am sure there are other things - always learning and growing.
 
The difference between Cc and Bcc when emailing, got that here on the FC.

Fabric wrapping bevels, spacers, by stripping fabric from scraps of fabric mats from Bonnie Palizzi.

I also learned glass box enclosures from Jim Miller, although I have not made one yet, it's on my to do list for shop samples.

Linseed oil makes a great finish on hardwoods and dries quickly.
 
Kai Vanuffelen said:
Painting matboards was common for framers in the distant past, where manufacturers only supplied standard white matboard and framers glazed them.
Click to expand...

Yes, it was.

However the problem I was having is getting a perfectly even color with an equally reflective surface over the complete mat area in dark mats. And without texture. Black has always been a problem but I am now (knock on wood) doing it well, at a low cost in time. So I can now do it where the cost for a small piece (say 16 x 20 or smaller) from scrap is less than the cost for buying an completely new mat.

For textured mats I have just put a few coats of acrylic gesso and the surface reflection has not been a problem because the texture hides it. The problem with using gesso for texture is the time element goes up.
 
I learned quite a bit about photography and Photoshop, but only a small part of that was to do with framing.

Oh yeah, I did learn that some customers will try to suck you dry if you let them! Oh I forgot, I first leaned that about 28 years ago, but somehow I keep learning it over and over!
See Jared, I never stop learning!
 
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