I've Been Framed!!

Tired of the same old framing options? Here are some ideas to carry on the creativity of the art you buy--and even some ideas to create art yourself!

Odd Sized Art
A few years ago at Art-A-Fair in Laguna, I bought a beautiful print of Asian musicians and dancers. But when I got home, I realized it was an odd size. After pricing custom frames, I decided I could create something cool without paying twice what I did for the print itself! I took ribbon reinforced with wire on each side and created a "frame" with one long piece. First I "slung" the print on each side and twisted the ribbon in back to secure it. Then I tied a double bow as a hanger and arranged the tendrils of remaining ribbon artistically around the matting.

Kids Artwork
Want to reclaim your fridge door and make your kids feel like real artists? Get a big frame with glass insert. Take out all the advertising and cardboard backing, so it's just the clear glass. Adhere the glass to the frame itself, then hang the frame on a wall. The wall color will act as the "mat" for your kids artwork, which you can adhere with tape, earthquake wax or post-it sticks.

Prints
Just recently at a yard sale, I bought a pretty ceramic napkin holder in the shape of calla lilies. I didn't know whether I'd put it on Ebay or keep it for myself, since I love the calla family. Then I went to Art-A-Fair the next week and bought a beautiful print of a woman reclining in a chair with a table full of calla lilies in the foreground. I had the perfect spot for the print, resting on top of some books, but there was really no place to lean it. The napkin holder sat nearby and though it seemed a little funky, I set the print, still in it's cellophane, in the holder and it looked great! As long as the napkin holder is heavy enough to hold the print without toppling over and the colors or design compliment one another, you've got a unique and creative art display.

Whose Art Is It, Anyway?
Art is anything you make it. I have a client who's getting Victorian Hair Jewelry that belonged to her great-great-grandmother framed to exhibit on her mantel. My husband mounted a vicious set of sharks teeth on red velvet and framed it in gold. Military medals, enamel pins, beautiful pieces of wrapping paper (OK, I stole that one from Queer Eye's Thom Felicia). It's art if YOU say it's art!

Scrappy Frames
Not a scrap booker but you've got some cute little photos or drawings you don't want to frame individually. Find a frame that will fit them comfortably with a little room to spare, then match them with a cool sheet of scrap booking paper--they come in beautiful stripes, geometrics, wood grains… Just about anything you can imagine. Then arrange the items, affix with glue or tape and frame. Voila! A creatively matted photo collage unique in all the world.

No Frame Framing
Got something too big for a traditional frame, like an antique dress or a baby quilt? Measure the piece and tape out the part of the wall you want to hang it on, leaving enough space around the item to create the frame effect, at least 3 or 4 inches on all sides. Choose a contrasting color that will harmonize with the wall color but allows the piece to stand out. For example, if you have red walls and a black dress, choosing a light but rich tan may be the ticket.

Simple Holiday Ideas
Some folks trade out their everyday art (is there such a thing?!) for Holiday paintings and photos. I do have a few framed pictures and cards I place strategically on mantels and shelves. But to really give my artwork a festive feel, I drape the frames with garland and if I've got a lot of energy and a steady ladder, twinkly lights.

Don't be afraid to try something different. You just might end up with something wonderful!