I absolutely love framing! The feel and smell of cut woods and different types of paper are a passion of mine. Many times during the last five+ years I could be found roaming the aisles at Lowes and enjoying the wood smells while dreaming about how I could use a particular piece of hardware in framing or artwork. I also enjoy browsing at the art supply store and fawning over the handmade papers! I have had some fun making my own fancy papers such as marbled paper, hand-cast cotton rag paper, and papers made from odds and end scraps such as string, metallic thread, pieces of plastic, confetti, and even lint from the dryer! I use these papers in my calligraphy and in creating special matting for framing pieces in our shop.
There is something earthy and beautiful about using my hands and God-given creativity to 'clothe' a piece of artwork so that it displays "just right".
Angles & Edges, Inc. is a venture that Martin and I are unfolding together as we deepen our understanding of God's will for our lives. I am excited about seeing the wonderful work that God brings forth through our artistic senses and handiwork. It would be a pleasure to use our gifts to complement your gifts!
We hope you enjoy your visit to Angles & Edges, Inc. and may God bless.
It's a good idea to use custom framing when framing fine art, heirlooms or special personal objects. Custom framing creates a perfect combination of color and embellishment to enhance the artwork. Your artwork is an investment and should be properly protected from the elements that slowly deteriorate it. We can help you choose the right combination of framing materials to turn your treasured keepsakes into beautiful works of art. We will discuss some of these now:
Matting Combinations.
Matting is necessary to prevent the artwork from being in direct contact with the glass and provides support for the artwork within the frame. Over time, silver oxide emulsion can cause a photo to stick to the glass causing irreparable damage. Humid conditions can also damage the art if condensation is caught between the artwork and the glass.
Matting is an important design aspect for bringing out the best in your work of art. Two or three mats can provide depth and dimension. You want the mats to compliment the artwork, not call attention to them. The main purpose of matting and framing is to accent the artwork and provide space around it so your eye is drawn to the art.
Mat boards are available in a variety of colors and textures to suit your needs. There are three basic quality levels of matting. Paper mats are best suited for matting non-valuable art because they can be damaging as a result of the acids they contain. Over time, you will see the bevel of a paper mat turn yellow and it's doing that to the artwork underneath as well.
Rag mats are made of 100% cotton rag and are acid free. If you want to protect the value and quality of your artwork or keepsake, this is what you want. Rag mats are used in conservation framing and are worth the extra expense.
The third option is Archival mats, which are a combination of rag and paper that has been treated to remove most of the acids and impurities. This provides some protection to your artwork but not as much as with rag mats. Archival mats are available in a large selection of colors. Most of the mats we use are archival, but we use rag mats when appropriate. The bevel of archival mats is pure white and will stay that way for many years.
What is conservation glass and when do I need it?
Conservation glass is used in many cases; there are two really common instances. If your artwork is going to be hanging on a wall facing a window, it would be a good idea to use conservation glass. Another reason for using conservation glass would be if you plan on using lights to highlight your artwork on the wall. In both of these cases the need for this type of glass is important because you are exposing your artwork to Ultra Violet (UV) light. Ultra Violet light waves are much shorter than visible light and contain more energy. This energy is the same energy that causes you to sunburn and will deteriorate your artwork much quicker. Conservation glass blocks around 97 percent of the UV rays compared to the 45 to 50 percent you would get with regular clear & non-glare glass.
What should I use to clean my picture framing glass?
Any commercial window cleaner is good for cleaning framing glass. If conservation glass is used you should avoid using any cleaner that contains ammonia (including some commercial cleaners). Another good glass cleaner is vinegar or commercial window cleaners with vinegar-D in them. These cleaners have been tested safe for cleaning any type of framing glass. It is best to spray the cleaner onto the cloth and then wipe the glass clean. This avoids the possibility of the liquid spilling over the edges of the glass and onto your art. Avoid all multi-purpose cleaners, as most of them contain waxes or abrasive that can coat or scratch the surface of the glass.
Selecting a frame.
The frame provides structural strength to enable you to cover your art with glass or acrylic and to hang it. But the color, style and texture of the molding adds its own unique element to the beauty of your custom-framed art. We have a huge variety of moldings, but your choice should coordinate with the art, the mats, and the particular effect you desire to achieve. For example, a bamboo-like molding is great for oriental work, or a 'Navajo' inlay works well for southwestern art. Moldings made from natural woods and finishes are often used to coordinate with similar wood furnishings and to provide a simple elegance to the art. Moldings can be used in combination to build a truly unique frame that will add additional width and color to your custom-framed art. The possibilities are nearly endless, but we can help you choose the best combination for your very own presentation.
