A little bit different

[Graysalchemy]

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

Perhaps something 'modern'.

[vintage frames]

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.

[Roboframer]

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

[vintage frames]

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 ....

[prospero]

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.

[Graysalchemy]

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.

[prospero]

.......... not a place were elitist ego maniacs hang out.

That's me knackered then.

[Graysalchemy]

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

[markw]

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.

[Graysalchemy]

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.

[markw]

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

[Graysalchemy]

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

[vintage frames]

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.

[Graysalchemy]

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

Appology accepted.

[Not your average framer]

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

[vintage frames]

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

[Graysalchemy]

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.

[prospero]

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.

[Geoff]

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.

[Graysalchemy]

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.