The Framers Forum

Come on Geoff post up one of yopur frames so we can appraise it.

Perhaps something 'modern'.

It's always exiting to hear some acerbic criticisms but let's not go overboard on our praise of the work. Featurepiece did a good job for the budget and weren't trying to lay down an aesthetic marker. They could have used a factory finished frame on this and then we all would be talking nonsense.

My example is "Factory finished" from the Larson Juhl "Ferrosa" range. What's wrong with factory finished?

Oops! Sorry Roboframer.
Nothing wrong with factory finished frames as a product but when we start judging a framing project in aesthetic or artistic terms, then a factory finished frame is just an assembly job. Where is the craftmanship? But, once again, if the customers happy ....

I think a lot depends on where it is going to hang. It wouldn't fit happily in a lot of homes, but nothing amiss about the design in itself.
In the right location it would look the cat's pyjamas.

F********************king 'ell Vintage take a swipe at the vast majority of framers why don't you.

I thought this was a friendly place were framers are treated on equal terms, help one another out not a place were elitist ego maniacs hang out.

Graysalchemy wrote: .......... not a place were elitist ego maniacs hang out.

That's me knackered then.

Peter you don't belittle the vast majority of us 'unskilled' framers.

I'me thinking about making my own mountboard - cutting that ready made stuff is soooo unartistic. Going to have to reappraise my entire approach to framing now.

Have you thought of crafting your own glass as well, or perhaps forging your own V pins and braiding your own string, now that woudl be real craftmanship.

tried the glass - just cant get rid of the ripples - but its getting better

I think that would be authentic for 18c frames would it not

I wasn't trying to belittle anyone. Stop being so tetchy! If you run a business, use only factory mouldings and people come and pay you money - whats not to like? I just don't think there is any relevant discussion on the artistic merits of a factory finished frame.

No what you said was 'Where is the craftmanship?' implying that to use factory finished moulding involves no craftsmanship.

Appology accepted.

markw wrote:I'me thinking about making my own mountboard - cutting that ready made stuff is soooo unartistic.

Craftmanship in the assembly of frames? - OK, if you wish. But I'm really talking about the finished frame as a made object.

And why would a frame made out of a factory finished moulding not a made object.

Our style of framing is obviously so far beneath you, I wonder why you actually bother with the forum we are obviosly mere semi skilled cretins who stick 4 bits of wood together.

markw wrote:I'me thinking about making my own mountboard - cutting that ready made stuff is soooo unartistic. Going to have to reappraise my entire approach to framing now.

Been there. Done that. Bought the T-shirt. Got it covered with paint. Tore it up and used it for dusters.


Speaking of craftsmanship, given the quality of some later-day factory mouldings you often need considerable amounts of it to make a decent frame.

There are a number of my frames posted here that anyone is more than welcome to give their views..good bad or indifferent. I have never used any factory finished mouldings simply because that is not where my head has ever been when thinking of framing. They are what they and serve a totally different need and purpose to my own.

Regarding my previous comments...nothing nasty...defamatory is meant with anything I said...I simply cannot relate to why a person would want to frame a picture such as... is depicted this way. Having said that...if this is your market then whatever this sort of clientèle wants. If such a request was made to me I would ask them to seek a high street framer.

I have seen your frames Geoff and very fine they are, but as you say it is horses for coarses.

However you would have to agree that probably 95% if not more of framers are using factory finished moulding. I am a contract framer but produce probably 50 -100 hand finished frames a year to one particular artist, obviously not to your level but they still take a fair few weeks to produce an exhibitions worth of frames. Something I enjoy and get paid quite handsomely for, but profitable? Not as profitable as making a 100 cheap and chereful frames for a hotel which only takes a couple of days.