What old framing techniques would you like to learn?

[Gregory K. Norris CPF]

In another thread, the subject of wet mounting was being discussed and there were comments about how it had fallen out of favor and many of us did not know how to do it successfully. And I know of at least one now long-retired framer in my town that used only unfinished moulding and finished each frame to order. And another that claims he used to airbrush the color on to matboards.

I started wondering if there were others of us that would like to learn some of these now-rare framing techniques. If you got the chance, what would you like to learn?

 

[Gail Poshepny]

Since I'm fairly new to framing professionally - 5-6 years, I'm not sure what the "older" techniques would be. In the 80's, I was spending most of my time behind bars (operative word being "behind"). But I would love to learn more about moulding finishes and altering them.
G

 

[Mikki Kavich MCPF]

I need to try to do a cove mat again...it has been YEARS!!! I like those things!

Airbrush mats....excuse me while I go try that one!

 

[Sarah Beckett MCPF]

I am excited to take Rob's simple wax finishes class; and I will probably take wood finishing classes in Vegas next year.
I think it is part of the craft that is getting lost and I want to be able to do it. or know about it.

 

[Mikki Kavich MCPF]

and next month in WI is the gilding on glass! I am excited about that one!

 

[Russ Wood]

I started wondering if there were others of us that would like to learn some of these now-rare framing techniques. If you got the chance, what would you like to learn?

I guess they used to join frames with wooden nails. I would like to see where you buy / make wooden nails that are strong enough, and join some small frames this old way. I was told, to tell if a frame is really old, use a magnet to see if there are any nails.

Also, those rectangular / square nails I saw in a frame that used to hold a Remington was interesting!

 

[Ormond Williams MCPF]

and next month in WI is the gilding on glass! I am excited about that one!

Is WI just up the coast a bit from me??? Oooh nooo it's half way round the planet. Bugger!!!

I'd like to see that!

Why doesn't the chapter and the teacher responsible for this make a video of the class and sell it to those of us who are a squillion miles away, because it's way too costly for us to attend???

 

[Kai Vanuffelen]

Something as simple but useful as learning to tie a variety of knots. These are particularly helpful in lacing needleworks or mounting 3D objects.

 

[James R Cook GCF]

Gold leafing the bevel on 8 ply mats

 

[Gail Poshepny]

Is WI just up the coast a bit from me??? Oooh nooo it's half way round the planet. Bugger!!!

I'd like to see that!

Why doesn't the chapter and the teacher responsible for this make a video of the class and sell it to those of us who are a squillion miles away, because it's way too costly for us to attend???

:thumb:

 

[Adela Davis MCPF]

craft getting lost

I am excited to take Rob's simple wax finishes class; and I will probably take wood finishing classes in Vegas next year.
I think it is part of the craft that is getting lost and I want to be able to do it. or know about it.

I agree Sarah. Also, if you can alter the finish just slightly to give your design an extra 'oomph', all these techniques are useful...part of the craft of custom!

The 'verre eglomise' (traditional glass mat) is a lovely technique and always gets great reaction if you have a sample around...which reminds me, need to do
another one. I think I saw a thread going on in this section about that. Learn all you can!

 

[Kai Vanuffelen]

That's right. Without a sample we cannot sell the verre eglomise to a customer successfully.

- - - Updated - - -

That's right. Without a sample we cannot sell the verre eglomise to a customer successfully.

 

[Meghan MacMillan MCPF]

I just replaced the frame and glass on a piece that had a thick window mat with a curved edge the mat was wrapped with paper. There was a debossed line about 1" from the opening. It certainly looked hand done. There was hide glue everywhere. I wish I knew how to replicate that. There was a second mat no thicker than 2 ply rag with a 1/8" reveal. That was gilded.

I think the paper was originally white, and that the corners were gappy because there was white paint in the corners that had not yellowed the way the glue mounted surface paper had.

Years ago I worked with a man who cut mats with a utility knife and a straight edge. No one else was allowed to touch that straight edge or use it for anything else. I wish I had asked him for lessons.

 

[Kai Vanuffelen]

If you like to know, how framers used to cut mats with straightedge and knife, then I suggest purchase a framing book from the 1940's. There are still some around. With cmc's available, I cannot really see the point, unless the customer likes to have mats that look imperfect.

 

[Gregory K. Norris CPF]

Sometimes it is just knowledge for knowledge's sake.

 

[Meghan MacMillan MCPF]

If you like to know, how framers used to cut mats with straightedge and knife, then I suggest purchase a framing book from the 1940's. There are still some around. With cmc's available, I cannot really see the point, unless the customer likes to have mats that look imperfect.

Please believe me when I tell you that Milton's mats did not look, in any way, imperfect. It was kind of astounding to watch. This was years before CMCs. The rest of us used a C&H straight line cutter. He found it overly complicated. And, he could maintain a perfect bevel on an arch mat.

 

[Cathy Coggins]

I have taken 2 French matting classes but want to perfect it. AND modernize it. And funky it up...There is a framer is Utah that does some AMAZING painting on mats...they sell ALL OVER the world. And they look AWESOME with modern needlework. So I suppose i would like to spin French matting.

I have a few OLD OLD OLD books on framing, gilding primarily. WANT to take that in Vegas next year. LOVE a fine gold frame.