Ad blocker detected: Our website is made possible by displaying online advertisements to our visitors. Please consider supporting us by disabling your ad blocker on our website.
I have been to a regular customer today who has a couple of tapestries that she wants framing. No problem with that, I have done quite a few, however she has a different idea of how she would like them done. I should perhaps say that they are tapestries depicting stained glass windows from Canterbury Cathedral.
Firstly she wondered if it was possible to have them stretched and somehow just have a glass front (with a mount around the stretched tapestry), a bit like a clip frame but not a clip frame if you get my meaning. Then her husband entered the discussion and suggested a black mount and then a black frame. Then after I had left, (telling her I would give the idea some thought), I was wondering if there were such frames available that were in the shape of an arch, to go along with the cathedral window theme. She has two to do but has some others already framed that will need re-framing.
So my question to everyone is to ask if anyone has some suggestions regarding the glass front mounting and also does anyone know of a supplier of arched frames (ready made)?
Ask the client if they have a magic want that you can borrow to overcome the basic concepts of physics? When you stretch something it has to supported by something and that support has to be covered by something (the picture frame) to camouflage it.
As for a special shape and size frame for the textiles. There is no way there can be ready made products at a reasonable price in every imaginable size and shape. That is why there are custom picture framers.
This is a typical example of "is the customer always right", as mentioned in another thread. Almost anything is possible. Question is: Is it feasable.
I would try and steer them off the glass only idea. The thickness of the thing would make this a PITA proposition. Tell them you would have to have a one-piece custom glass frame made at £KKKKKK cost. And then they would have to look at the rough edges.
But the arch-top idea has legs. You could make one with multiple straight sections if you planned it out on paper first to work out the angles. Do they want Gothic or Roman? Could be an interesting little exercise, although you would have to make sure you charged accordingly.
** I've often thought curved frames could be made using plastic mouldings heated up and put on a former while they cool. Never tried it though.
Just a thought re: the clear glass, cut the glass to the size of the mount then cut four strips of say 4mm or 6mm glass and glue them at right angle to create a box, using invisable glass glue, I cant remember the name but it does exist.....place the mount in then use something like ecospace at the back of that to attach fixings for hanging....it may or may not work but a nice wee project,,,0h and remember to smooth the edges of the glass......Good luck with it......Customers who needs em!
There are arched frames available - I think Arqadia do a few and I'm sure Simons do more - I'm also sure they come complete with mirrors though. So if they are prepared to write off the cost of the mirror (make that +VAT x2) and as long as the arch is the same shape as the work (unlikely) and a fair bit larger, you could cut an arched mount - or two, or three - it takes a fair bit of space to keep thick tapestry wool and all its fibres away from the glass. If you can't cut arched glass - G&M can - just send them a template, or the frame, not expensive either.
Whenever anyone asks for just glass and a mount and the whole thing sealed up somehow, like a passe partout 'frame' - or a clip frame, I politely tell them I'm a framer and it's a basic requirement, when making a totally finished item, to have a FRAME around it.
How about a normal rectangular frame with an arch shaped window mount? That would make it a much easier job to do and the mount could be cut by anyone who has a CMC.
If you don't know anyone local to you with a CMC, no doubt a quick request on this forum, would soon get a good response.
Mark Lacey
“Life is short. Art long. Opportunity is fleeting. Experience treacherous. Judgement difficult.”
― Geoffrey Chaucer
Acrylic box frame? Or a Tray frame? If your looking for an arched frame then invest a couple of grand in one of these. http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid ... 3279958767
ps dont listen to the commentator too closely as you will fall into a deep, deep coma! YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!
And then they would have to look at the rough edges.
Could be an interesting little exercise, although you would have to make sure you charged accordingly.
