"Sand" on Frames

In order to provide textured accents, there is a technique for using sand on gilded frames. I have used this before, and as I couldn't decide on a carved or incised design for a band on my current project, I decided that this would provide just the bit of interest this frame needed.

Basically, apply some glue, then pour sand on it. When dry, remove excess, and finish as desired.

For a small frame made for a print, the narrow recess was covered in a very even, fine sand obtained from a craft supply store.

For my larger frame, a coarser sand was needed, so I went to the sand bucket we keep (a winter necessity in New England), washed the sand to remove fine silt and any salt, etc. I picked out any outsize material (for large quantities, a sifter would be handy). The frame was already carved and gessoed; I will apply a thin coat or two of gesso over the sanded area before beginning the gilding.

Once you notice this technique, you will find it on a number of old frames, particularly 19th century ones. I saw a very large frame in the Baltimore Museum of Art that had large grit, essentially gravel. Stunning.

Frame Work

Need to finish up frame for a painting I will send to the Artist Guild of Shrewsbury (http://www.artistguildshrewsbury.com/) show this spring. Doing a low-relief carving. Then will do a gilded /paint finish.

Mirror with Striped Turnings

I found this on one of my shopping trips. Normally, I prefer gilt turnings, but I thought this was interesting as it was the first time I had seen this type of mirror with paint surface, including the delicate striping on the turnings. The frame is all original, however, the panel is a painted attempt at eglomise (in a design that seems to be more of a clock design, rather than for a mirror).

So, another candidate for a replacement reverse glass.

Frame for Antique Portrait

The owner of this portrait kindly supplied a photograph of the finished job. This was a fairly small portrait, and the frame has a typical 1840 era slope molding, done in silver gilt (lemon gold). The depth of the frame was built up to accomodate the artwork's backing, and this also gives it more presence on the wall, and more typical of the deep frames of this period.

Preparing for the Big Chill

It has finally gotten real cold, just as I started working on adding to the insulation level of the attic. With the low headroom, and all the AC equipment, it is quite the challenge. Minimal insulation was put in when house was built; there was no vapor barrier, so I am moving the loose fill insulation, putting in batts, then replacing. In fear that I will put a foot through the ceiling and then have another task to take care of.