Picture Frame Challenge: The Magic of Magnets

A client brought us an interesting picture frame challenge recently. They had a collection of cookie cutters they wanted to display and they wanted to be able to take the cutters out and use them.  Okay, that's easy, we could fabricate a shadow box frame with a hinged door and mount the cookie cutters on pegs so that they would be removable. The second request was much more challenging.

The client also wanted the flexibility to add to their collection and change the arrangement of cookie cutters in the display case. Since the cutters are of different sizes and irregularly shaped it's not as simple as displaying them in rows three across. The solution called for the mounting pegs to be moveable. But how were we going to do that?

After considering various mounting methods such as velcro and clear acrylic I came up with the idea of magnetic pegs on a sheet metal backing. The metal was covered with silk fabric for an elegant appearance.

I also added rubber O-rings to give the magnetic pegs some grip.

Here's a view of pairs of magnetic pegs before adding the cookie cutters.  Hinged door closes with magnets embedded in the frame so there are no visible latches or handles.

Picture Frame Challenge: The Magic of Magnets

Mother of Pearl Art Frame

If ever a picture frame could make you feel the texture and emotion of a piece of art, this is it. Studio Shop framer Micah Paul created this amazing custom picture frame for an upcoming picture framing competition, January, 2015 in Las Vegas.

 

Micah started with this Asian themed artwork by Leslie Ditto and chose to emphasize some of its patterns with frame elements of teeth, fish scales and dragon skin.

The two outer mouldings are a mother of pearl product made with capiz shells.  The fabric mat is covered with a very cool fabric textured like lizard skin and called Komodo Dragon. The finishing touch consists of the metal studs on the fabric mat which echo the tooth motif in the artwork.

This frame is now on display at The Studio Shop and we're confident that it will wow the judges in the upcoming competition.

Mother of Pearl Art Frame

Frame a Wish for Make A Wish Foundation

When we were asked about framing mementos for a Make A Wish youngster this summer we of course said, "Yes."  Eight year old Jonathan "Jon Jon" Dockins is a heart patient and train nut whose wish was to drive an Amtrak Zephyr train over Donner Pass in the Sierras. With the cooperation of Make A Wish, Amtrak and many kind people throughout California and Nevada, Jon Jon had a fabulous experience on the trains and came away with many memories and mementos of the event.

Studio Shop framer Micah Paul was contacted by Amtrak engineer Ken Powell about creating a memory frame for Jon Jon and his family in Jackson, Missouri. Micah quickly started planning the layout of the several items and created a mock-up in Photoshop to easily show the event organizers for approval.

The frame design includes a hinged door so that Jon Jon can remove the toy train from the frame for running on his track at home.

Hinged frame for access to train.

The moulding is a unique and beautifully appropriate line with lots of mechanical details called Steam Punk.

To help out the organizers Micah selected images from a large batch of digital photos and then printed the best ones for the frame.  He also printed  the logos for Amtrak, the train engineers union and historic train lines from digital files.

The moulding's mechanical details  inspire its name, Steam Punk.

Jon Jon in the driver's seat.

Golden spike and other detail close ups.

Lock detail and custom Conductor Jon Jon sign.

CBS news video about Jon Jon's train trip.

Frame a Wish for Make A Wish Foundation

Great Ideas for Framing Kids' Art

It's the end of the school year and your child might be bringing home a year's worth of wonderful artwork.  Curating the household art gallery can be a difficult task when there is so much art to choose from and only a limited amount of wall space.  But there's an easy solution and that is to have a rotating gallery with picture frames with opening backs. That way you can rotate young Picasso's artwork in and out of picture frames and give each piece of art a chance to be displayed in the family art gallery.

Bold primary colors work beautifully when framing children's artwork.  These ready-made frames are made of bright anodized aluminum, have a white mat and an easily removable back for swapping artwork.  Fits 8x10 inch art or 11x14.
From $32 at the Studio Shop Annex.  These frames are ready to take home or can be customized with optional mat colors.

Here's a genius idea from Austin, Texas mom Natasha McRee and artist Morgan Kimble.  Acrylic frames with small magnets to hold the art in place -- makes it super easy to change the art. Available in two sizes, fits artwork up to 8 x 10 inches or 12 x 19 inches.  Starting at $40 at The Studio Shop Annex.








We also have many colorful moulding and mat options for custom framing of children's artwork, all colors of the rainbow and even pink glitter!

Another tip when framing kids' art is to use acrylic glazing instead of glass.  In a busy household acrylic won't break when bumped by running kids or an errant dodge ball.

Great Ideas for Framing Kids' Art

Exceptional Framing for Every Occasion

Moulding
We offer moulding styles for every budget from simple black to welded steel and 22k gold museum frames. The Studio Shop has the largest moulding collection in Northern California. Expert designers will help you create stunning presentations for any of your artwork: family memorabilia, posters, business presentations and art collections.

Archival Framing
Protection and conservation of your artwork is our primary goal at The Studio Shop whether you are framing a valuable painting, an autographed baseball glove, family photos or your child’s artwork. The mats, mounting and glazing all affect the protection of your framed art or object.

Mats
Acid-free mats and backing boards are used exclusively at The Studio Shop. Inexpensive paper mats contain wood pulp which is acidic and can damage your artwork with brown staining, called foxing. There are acid-free boards that are made with alpha-cellulose wood product and neutralized with a calcium carbonate buffering agent. The buffered alpha-cellulose mats are available in a large variety of colors. The highest quality museum mats are available in fewer colors but are made with 100% cotton fibers, no wood pulp at all.

Oversized Art
Large art is not a problem at The Studio Shop where the skilled framers frequently handle such items as tapestries, Vintage European posters and mirrors. Oversize mounting of photos, posters and signs is made possible on the 48" x 96" heat press.

Mirrors
Create your own custom mirror in any size and with any moulding for those difficult walls in dining rooms, entry halls and bathrooms. You can even make an antique mirror with antiqued glass and a distressed frame. Mirror glass is available in any size and with many options including antiqued glass, bevels, double bevels, round and oval.

Flat Screen TVs
Make your flat screen television look like a piece of art with a custom frame that harmonizes with the furnishings in your room. Each installation is planned to accommodate the remote control and the cooling needs of the television. Adding specially coated two-way mirror creates an attractive mirror with minimal impact upon viewing.

Object Framing
Do you have a collection of arrowheads or an autographed baseball glove that you’re wondering how to display so that it is protected and easy to view? The Studio Shop has framed hundreds of objects, from autographed sports jerseys to computer hard-drives, so we have the experience necessary to tackle those hard-to-frame jobs.

Photo Frames
Get creative with your photographs by putting them in interesting photo frames from simple to museum quality: carved wood, decorated glass, bike chain, glitter, leather and exquisite gold leaf frames, too, leather. Add a pre-cut mat to dress it up.

For examples, please visit our website.

Exceptional Framing for Every Occasion