Friday, October 14, 2011

Paint Party Friday: Week 31 Check In

Thank you all so much for your comments last week - we are so thrilled that Paint Party Friday is helping most of us to paint more!! Welcome everyone to Week 31 - the "Framed" edition!

Two weeks ago, we were talking about marketing your art, and there were many great suggestions in the comments, including donating pieces to charity auctions, showing your work in businesses or restaurants displaying art and signing your emails with hints like MimiTabby "I also paint gorgeous watercolours" plus many more. Have we said how awesome and helpful your comments always are? Wow! Thank you! And this week we are hoping for more comments as we know the poll won't catch everything...

That same week Scarlet asked "I'd like to learn how to frame my own work. I have no idea how to do this but would love to learn. I'm wondering if anyone here frames her own artwork and HOW." Great question! We know some of  you do (as does PPF hostess Kristin) and we think this is a very good topic to discuss to help show off our paintings to the fullest extent. We wonder - How do you frame your art? (And if you have favourite video-tutorials that show HOW, we'd love the links!)

* The blog poll site is currently down and so seems to be our poll :( Hopefully it will come back soon (14Oct2011 7pm). Sorry!


Please make sure to use your post URL address NOT your blog home page URL address as there are many late visitors who get confused as to which post is for PPF when they arrive (after Friday) at your website. If you are unfamiliar with Mr. Linky, an explanation of how this tool works can be found on Week 1 and Week 2 check-ins.

Have a great time at the party!

43 comments:

  1. I actually go to thrift stores or garage sales and look for frames. Sometimes I'll buy them new but most times I recycle old ones. Love your sign. You always have such great signs. Have a wonderful weekend and happy PPF!

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  2. Well, it's not going to be everyone's solution, but in school I worked part time for a frame shop, just so I could learn how to do it, and get a discount on all my supplies.

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  3. @carlarey - I worked in the framing department of an arts and crafts store many moons ago and that's how I learned too!

    @Gloria - I like to look at thrift stores too :)

    Wheee!!! Looking forward to another great party!

    Thanks to everyone for making this so much fun!

    xo
    Kristin

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  4. It's been a long time! Can't wait to see al of your work!

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  5. I'm a paint to the edges type of girl, but I am often in awe at how a good frame enhances a piece of art. I love some of the 'old' frames you can pick up in 2nd hand shops but often it's hard to find a painting to fit! My hubby has framed a couple of my artworks fot the home using 'found' timber & driftwood which often give another dimension 7 texture to the finished work.

    Must admit most my latest paintings are the small aceos that I just pop in a sleeve then a gift bag, or sometimes it's nice to display these on a tiny easel too :) They are also easy to post as bigger artwork sometimes cost as much to post as what you sell the painting for!

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  6. happy PPF! looking forward to seeing what paintings are in your studios this week.

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  7. I order handmade, wooden frames.
    So interesting that this was the week's poll...
    ...just framed and wired 23 paintings this past weekend! :)

    Thanks for hosting PPF again this week!
    Happy Friday!!
    Mary
    Mary C. Nasser Art Blog

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  8. I love building frames because it feels like an added art piece. Right now I don't have a miter saw, so I haven't been putting together that many, but there have been a few that have just had flat edges instead.
    I've never made a frame that was made from materials meant for a frame, just plain wood or molding from Lowes or an upcycled lumbar yard.

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  9. I"ve not framed my art yet but I am looking forward to do it soon...Happy PPF!!

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  10. It depends on what I'm painting on - I like to do box canvasses for acrylic and oil and paint right round the edges but if I'm doing a commissioned pen and ink portrait then I don't frame it as I'm sure the person its for would rather choose their own. The portraits I've done for my own home I've taken to a professional framer but my husband is very handy and is learning to wood turn so I have asked him to learn how to frame as well so he can do mine in future!

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  11. I tried to make my own cardboard mounts and even bought the proper knife, but they never look as good as the professional ones! I'm torn about frames really, since although a framed piece looks so much better, it would cost a fortune to mail, and the frame might not suit the buyer. Decisions, decisions...
    I guess if I ever had a show then I'd have to get them all framed (but the cost puts me off!)

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  12. I also meant to say that pictures picked up second hand are great for frames.

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  13. I paint on whatever I can buy cheaply, which is mostly box mounts, but haven't framed anything yet, except for a few water colours. Happy PPF!

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  14. My local framer always has cheap mounts available, that they make from the insides of large works, and they have a good selection most of the time. I just make sure I grab a good selection whenever I am down there so I always have some on hand.
    I have a variety of framed work, some professionally and some by me, as well as some mounted and sleeved work, so that I can meet the needs of where I am selling it. Framing some work can be tricky as it can be a personal choice on the point of the buyer and I have lost sales because people didn't want to change frames... it is a tricky issue and I will be interested in what others do as I am still grappling with this one myself.

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  15. I like to use large watercolor pads, and measure out a section to fit a specific frame. That way I have more freedom when picking out frames at the thrift store... At Christmas, I also make individual gift tags cut out from the leftover watercolor paper.

    Of course... I don't sell my art, just give it as gifts, or use it around my own home.

    Happy PPF ~ can't wait to see what everyone's been up to!!

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  16. I've gathered frames from just about everywhere, but in the end I am more and more not using them. I think they would cost too much to mail for Etsy selling. But mainly I have found at craft shows, lots of people would say, "Oh I love that picture but the frame doesn't go with my decor. I would say " Here I have unframed ones too!" and they always like those better so they can pick out their own frame, plus I can sell them more affordable. And its less to lug to the show if I only have a few framed pieces. I know I'm lazy,lol! Great question Eva and Kristin! Party on!!!!

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  17. I tend to paint to the edge - I always mean to leave a space for mounting but it never seems to happen - also I like using deep canvases and paint over the edge to blend everything together. I'd love to learn to frame pictures through.

    Great party Kristin and Eva and a great question.
    Happy PPF everyone!

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  18. I'm an 'all of the above' framer, but most of my 'fun' work lately does not require frames. I need to get back to my serious side! 31 weeks - HOLY COW! ... time flies when you are having a blast. Having my 2nd hip replaced 10/18, so please don't think I am rude if I don't show up at the party or can't visit. I'll be back as soon as I can. Thx for your support ... off to mingle :)

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  19. So good to be back. I get frames where ever I see them, 2nd hand stores, garage sales etc. I have my art matted for me to fit the frames, I also sometimes size my paintings to the frames I have.

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  20. Tend to not use frames cept for my photography ~ Thanks for hosting ~ Happy PPF ~ Carol (Share the Creative Journey) ^_^

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  21. I'm lazy about framing my art but just this morning was thinking about it!

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  22. Hi everyone Happy PPF again
    Ive been painting autumn stuff and getting ready
    for Holidays soon !
    I really should have answered "I have done all of the above" but I didn't do ALL.. Ive never paid someone to frame a painting for me...yea im poor !
    Please read the linked post in my ppf post. it is concerning autistic children and kids with special needs and their parents hardships and my childhood home in Wisconsin.

    - KAT -

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  23. Thankyou for hosting us again! I have done all the above, the mat cutting is the only thing I really can't do myself,, ( I even took a classs and still can't) but I really like finding an old frame at the junk shop or yard sales the best.My husband made frames for me also and that was nice.

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  24. I do many of these things. i have had some things professionally framed, I frame a lot myself, i buy stuff from americanframe.com. I also pick up stuff in thrift stores. Whatever works!

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  25. Happy PPF! Wish I were better at matting and framing! Love the recycle idea:)

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  26. My entry for PPF fits in perfectly, as I am finished with my dinosaur piece that I donated to the Children's Museum of Evansville for an auction benefit.

    As far as framing I have not gone all out on that... although I do believe a beautifully framed piece makes your art look even better and more professional (unless it's a canvas with finished sides). Happy PPF everyone!

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  27. Yay, I was able to link. We link each week?? I love this party and I love meeting you all and seeing all the different avenues of painting/playing. Thank you for hosting. Blessings, Janet

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  28. In years past I have ordered metal frames for my watercolors - they tend to be more affordable than wood and easy to assemble. Now that I am selling more online I just post the painting itself and let the buyer take care of picking out a mat and frame of their choosing. That way it is easier to mail, I don't have to guess what color mat or type of frame they want and I can price my art accordingly - so far I have had good results.

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  29. This is actually something I've always wanted to learn, so I'm really grateful that this came up here! Thank you!

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  30. I am not a fan of framing my work. In fact, I rather no one frame work they intend on selling. I think it is up to the purchaser to make the choice based on their own sensibilities. I have bought quite a few paintings and hang them frameless on my walls. I do have one print that was framed by the artist, at my expense, before I took possession of it. It is a simple white mat and black frame. Nothing too frou frou. Just my thoughts.

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  31. btw, the polling website is slowing this website down HUGELY today. As I reload to see who else has linked, I have to wait upwards of 5 minutes !

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  32. I normally try to make my paintings a standard size and try to find frames on sale or at yard sales. I have a miter box and saw but not a real fancy set so I have never ever used it, ever! In the 25 years I've owned it. My dh did try once but getting the corners to fit just so failed. In my area framed art sells better than unframed, even if it is an inexpensive frame that will no doubt be changed out for a better one.

    I am in agreement with Mimi. It is taking forever for this page to load. Also, a number of artists have so many security features that I often have to hit "post comment" three times during the process of commenting. It is very time consuming and I am trying to get to all 60 artists' blogs. (I am using the Open ID connection.).

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  33. I think these are internet related issues - sorry - not much we can do under those circumstances (not that either of us are tech wizards in any event). The poll has totally disappeared from all the browsers I use and they are all slow, and not just for PPF.

    I can only recommend patience or trying again later. Thanks.

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  34. I virtually frame mine so someone buying a piece might get an idea of what it looks like - see the entry for today's Paint Party Friday to see what I mean =)

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  35. I would love to be able to frame my own work affordably. I used to build my own frames for stretching canvas, but that was really hard on the hands! I think the ideal solution would be to find a carpenter and maybe barter/exchange services. But I really like the idea of finding frames at yard sales and flea markets!

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  36. I like to paint or finish the plain frames from the craft stores!
    It's fun and easy!

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  37. I sell in a gallery, so I kinda sorta have to frame. It's not mandatory if it's on canvas, but she prefers paintings framed. The buyers have the option to buy with or without the frame. So, if they don't like the frames I buy, they can use their own.

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  38. Everyone - the site we use for the polls is completely down and we have no idea when or even if it will be back up. (Praying and crossing our fingers as it may mean all the polls are lost - *angst*)

    These were most of the choices (except one is missing that I can't remember) in case newcomers are interested...

    How do you frame your art?

    *I frame my paintings myself at the do-it-yourself framing sto

    *I go to garage sales/thrift shops etc and pick up old frames or framed paintings cheap and either paint over the canvas or buy one to fit

    *I paint the edges so it doesn't need to be framed

    *I never frame paintings as I feel the buyer would rather choose their own

    *I try to incorporate a painted frame into my art

    *I hire a professional framer

    *I make my own with recycled/found materials

    *I've done all of the above

    *Other (please tell us more in the comments)

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  39. YAY! I made it...better late than never! Look forward to buzzing by to see what everyone's been up to! Have missed being able to comment and post officially from my blog. Pop Art Minis

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  40. I like the ASCP but I don't get the coverage most people get. I've also had issues and had to prep on some items. I think it's a fine paint but I don't use ot exclusively. It's another tool in my box. color changing paint

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