framing tips

Beautifully framed art from my Pinterest

People are always asking me about framing. So today I'm going to give away a couple of my secrets. A great frame elevates and validates a piece of art, of course. Just look at this scrap-paper chameleon, all dressed up in black:

Sharon Montrose needs no help, but her animal photographs (which I recommend all the time) look especially crisp and beautiful with matching frames and mats:

Even a sheet of wrapping paper becomes art if you frame it:

A frame can totally change the mood of a piece of art. I recently fell in love with the idea of a Moroccan wedding blanket for a friend's dining room; putting this one under glass would protect it and formalize it, while still showcasing its texture:

(wish I had a shot of this framed)

Pictureframes.com and framesbymail.com are my two favorite online sources for custom sizes. They've got a huge range of styles and are priced way less than a custom shop, and the turnaround time is pretty speedy, but you'll have to be really really careful with your measuring, and once the frames arrive, be prepared to do a little work putting them together. If you don't completely trust yourself, make friends with a local framer. I'd recommend going to a professional anyway for larger jobs or more valuable pieces. On the lower end of the spectrum, you can find affordable, good-looking standard-sized frames anywhere from Target to West Elm to Michael's. 

One last point: Frames can make you reconsider what art is. Good frames automatically make children's art more important and permanent. Or look at the robot wrapping paper above. (My own walls have several pieces of paper framed just like that.) You can frame the pages of a book, or a piece of fabric. I always say something is art if you say it's art—or if you frame it and treat it like art.