Thursday, November 7, 2013

FRAMING

Embellishing with natural materials can be a challenge, not only in regard to the design and execution but displaying can be problematic as well.
After collecting pine needles along my morning walks, spraying with clear lacquer helped preserve them.  Framing the work under glass was the answer for the piece I created with these pieces of nature.  Here's how I did it........

 Once the actual fiber piece was completed, I used tiny hand stitching on the front of the work (large running ones on the back) to attach it to an acid free mat.  Securing all knots very well.  
 To protect and disguise the threads, I 'dry mounted' a piece of handmade paper.  Dry mounting is a process of covering both surfaces (to be attached) with rubber cement.  When each is fully dry, they are pressed together to make a permanent bond.
 Next, I cut clear plastic spacer bars the length and width of the inside of the frame.  The ones I use have a paper covered adhesive strip that when removed, helps to hold them in position.  This allows the work to sit an appropriate distance from the glass. (especially necessary for this type of embellishment)
 A label is added.
And a final protective thin piece of cardboard is added before securing the layers with metal clips.  NOTE....be sure the frame you choose has room for the plastic spacers.  I had to do some adjusting with this metal frame....but opted for it anyway because I wanted the low profile look.  

                                                               click on photo to enlarge
MOUNTAIN PINE NEEDLES   16" X 12"  © 2013
AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE HERE

 Artist hand-dyed and felted wool, embellished with pine needles, rusted cotton cord, and hand embroidered.  Matted in a low profile black frame.

Due to the glare of the glass.....I found it impossible to get a good quality photo of the piece in its frame.....I'm sure you all can envision it without the visual!

Detail

17 comments:

Robbie said...

Wonderful piece...and thanks for showing how you framed it!!! Just love learning new tips/tricks from you.

The Idaho Beauty said...

Thanks for the tutorial. I've got to get me some of those spacers although I don't often frame with glass. And as for the piece? Wow - that felted background is spectacular. I like that you are continuing to use the pine needles and they work very well here.

Norma Schlager said...

This is fabulous! Thanks for the tutorial, too.

Judy Ferguson said...

I would say that this is a winner.

Windy Hill Happenings said...

It's a wonderful piece and a wonderful tutorial...thanks so much for sharing that info

Anonymous said...

Lovely work! Those colours are so warm and inviting!
Esther

Shannon said...

So wonderful! I love the texture the pine needles bring.

Sylvia said...

Thanks for the lesson in framing! I love anything pine and love this piece!

Amy Art Quilter & Fyber Cafe said...

Beautiful rich colors! Did you wrap the ends of the pine needles with turquoise thread? Interesting.

Regina B Dunn said...

I've always loved pine needles and you've used them very nicely in your artwork.

The Inside Stori said...

Mary here - In answer to Amy's question about the ends of the pine needles. They are left natural....a sort of brownish/black color coating that holds the(usually 3) sections of the needles together at the base.

Quilt Rat said...

Fabulous! Love seeing the use of this wonderful texture of nature....so beautiful! Great framing tutorial too!

Kris said...

That is really beautiful. 536

HollyM said...

I love natural fibres and mixed media. This is simple but pretty!

Linda Wulf Koenig said...

Wow, all this time I thought the only thing I could do with the pine needles in my yard was to make a basket! Beautiful use of natural material, and your dyeing is gorgeous.

Eileen said...

Fantastic!

Unknown said...

Very interesting. I don't do recycled art, but am actually going to try a piece for a December show using scraps from Palm trees! Yours came out great.