| Author | Message | ||
  Valerie_norberry New member Username: Valerie_norberry Post Number: 7 Registered: 10-2006 |
You guys are all soooo sofistikated!!!!! I only work 11 x 14 (yes trim half sheet, use scrap for cool book mark samples and gifts), and frame using wooden frams with glass from Family Dollar. Not Dollar General, Family Dollar. Sometimes you have to call the different Fam. Doll. stores ahead and make sure they stock the 11 x 14 size, as some only stock up to 10 x 13. I know I can't hob nob with you-all snobs with my un-artsy sizes but I do save what I save for retirement, in a mutual fund, compounded every 6 years, and paying off debt. I have NO school debt.  The reason I never cut mats is because I make my money being a medical transcriptionist and need all ten of my fingers. The frames from Family Dollar are 3.00 each, have glass (not frosted, clear), and little soft-tin black tabs that bend with a regular scredriver. I keep a couple frames on hand in case I get invited to a wedding, then I can make a gift very cheaply. I like the verse: "Love Keeps No Record of Wrongs" (1 Cor 13:5, NIV)  | ||
Joanna Junior Member Username: Joanna Post Number: 15 Registered: 10-2006 |
Unfortunately, this offer ended last Friday (I didn't read this until today) but Jerry's Artarama had a special email sale for galaxy frames that were 75pct off retail (avg 8 bucks for good sized ones) and a 10 dollah coupon off the entire order for good measure. You could call them or write and see if they plan another sale or would extend for a new customer OR call CJ's and see if they would do a competing sale. The Galaxy frames were three colors of metal (gold, silver or black) with plastic glazing. Some shows require plastic glazing, so I scooped up a bunch. | ||
Whitewatercolor Member Username: Whitewatercolor Post Number: 49 Registered: 10-2006 |
Best prices available, and I'd like to know if it can be beat. eframe.net (which used to be known as the mettle company) out of New Jersey. Cuts metal frames to your specific size. I order 40 or 50 at a time. It takes one week. They are always perfect. The come in many colors. I've chosen one color that I frame all my work in. Invest in a good logan mat cutter and cut your own mats. If you buy the board by the case you can save money. I also buy the glass precut by the case and then cut down anything that doesn't conform to standard size. I have several different sizes on hand. There is probably someone in your area who will wholesale precut glass to you. You have to buy it by the case but the price savings is incredible, compared to having each piece cut. Less than one third the price for large pieces. Maybe a tenth of the price for small sizes. The savings will be over the long run if you don't paint a lot, but, you can finish a painting and hand it in the same day. | ||
Raliegh Member Username: Raliegh Post Number: 44 Registered: 8-2006 |
check used furniture stores for mats with frames. | ||
Kisha Unregistered guest |
Here we have craft stores (Michael's , Hobby Lobby ) that run 1/2 price sales on pre-made frames and standard sized mats. They also have sales on pre-framed prints. Often these frames are very cheap. One thing to do is buy a bunch of these sale framed prints and cut your next painting sheets to fit. An alternative is to buy metal frames and precut mats in bulk. There is another art supply warehouse that I shall not identify that sells these cheaply and in bulk. | ||
Marie Intermediate Member Username: Marie Post Number: 96 Registered: 8-2006 |
Matting can run up the cost. If you can cut your own mats or find a source for pre-cut mats, you'll save a lot of money. Do your pieces fit in standard size mats and frames? If so, you might be able to find plexiglass in bulk. I cut my own mats and then purchase the frames and plexi from a local source. Then, I assemble the pieces myself. It cuts the price down to about $35-$50 from from $150 or so I would have to pay to a professional framer. I have friends who uses cheap plastic boxes and no mat, but I think the mats look much better. I'm not sure what else to suggest. | ||
Rekha Intermediate Member Username: Rekha Post Number: 69 Registered: 8-2006 |
Since I have been borrowing an enormous number of books/videos about watercolour from the library I keep getting asked by the librarian to display in Jan 2007 what I have painted so far. I am not ready yet, but framing the few I have is going to cost a fortune. Is there a cheap way to frame the paintings for display purposes? | ||
ipte |
I use a cabinet shop locally. I explained what I wanted, and they make the molding for me really cheap. I can get a 10' length of white pine for about $3.00. They cut the groove in it for the glass. I bought a miter box hand saw, and corner clamps at the hardware store. I have the glass shop cut for me, a 16 x 20 frame in white pine costs me about $4.50. I also cut my own mats. Logan 301C does not take up a lot of space, and mat board is cheap by the sheet. It costs me at the most $7.00. to frame a 16 x 20 under glass with a double or tripple mat. It might take more time my way, but I get what I want in the size I want. I don't have to paint to a stock size. Once I got the hang of making my own frames, I would not go back to ready-made frames for anything. I'm starting to get some pretty ornate ones turned out with the help of modeling compound and glue. | ||
Anonymous |
I am better in drawing.I have been painting in Watorcolor for a few years.I have study with Terry Madden.I also have a toddler and a demanding husband.He is handicap.How much time a day should I put in painting. I would like to put in 8 hrs a day.Any tips.Thank you. | ||
ericmb |
Philj200: It seems that Trasure Island stores are only in New York and New Jersey. Their WEB site is treasureislandstores.com but they are not set up to sell from their site. I'm sure you can find a similar kind of chain of arts and crafts stores in your area. My main point is that I chose to buy ready-made frames and mats rather than get each separate item custom made. Result: cheaper and less work for me. The plain blonde wood frame, 16x20, already assembled with glass, was $13, and the acid free mat was $3. I used a second acid free mat, with no inside cut, as backing. Then add a few dollars for hinging tape, paper tape to seal the back, and picture hooks, and the total cost for each was about $20. | ||
Kukana |
Ditto, I go to the local Glass and Window store and its CHEAP!!! | ||
carol |
philj200... I go to our local glass cutter and order what I need, cut to size. | ||
Philj200 |
To Carol and Kukana Thanks. Found both sites. It is documents with an S. Have you purchased frames with glass without problems? | ||
carol |
Re: american frames..... drop the s on the end. Sorry americanframe.com | ||
jandrle |
www.floridaframes.com is wonderful Jane | ||
Kukana |
I like the frames at Documount.com or maybe its Documounts.com with an s. I forget! | ||
philj200 |
To ERICMB and CAROL : Carol: Are you sure about AmericanFrames. I went there and found an internet gambling casino. Ericmb: Where is Treasure Island Store? | ||
carol |
RE: frames.... check out americanframes.com , they are having a 35% off sale for their standard metal frames. A 16X20 would be $6.76 ( not too bad!) | ||
ericmb |
Several months ago I framed 16 watercolors for a cost of $20 per. I did all the work myself and enjoy looking at them -- they cover all the wall space in our dining room! I bought the ready-made frames, matboard and other materials at the Treasure Island Store in my area. The frames are all 16x20, unfinished wood -- nothing fancy but plain and simple (which is what I prefer anyway). They have a large selection of other sizes as well. The key is to paint on a size of paper that does not require custom sizing for the frame or the mat. I try to always paint on 1/4 sheet (11x15) so that a standard size 16x20 mat and frame always work. | ||
chris |
I would also suggest that you develop a good working/personal relationship with a frame shop in your area. If you can find one willing to sell materials to you at cost plus SMALL profit, it can work well for you in the long term and be a valuble resource in the future. There are also wholesale sources if you have a tax ID number, and some will truck deliver to your studio/home. Check with framers in your area for names of these companies. | ||
Anonymous |
Sometime you can get cheap frames at goodwill or any second hand store Shannon | ||
Philj200 |
I'm still new to painting and am still feeling my way around shows. I was invited to be the "Artist of the Month" at my local library and I'm a little overwhelmed. I need to frame about 26 watercolor painting. Most of the frames will be 15x20 or smaller. two or three bigger. Can anyone suggest a source? Would it be cheaper to by frames without glass and buy glass locally? Is it worth the hassle of buying frames over the net with glass? The odds of selling anything is remote, so I have to keep pretty tight control on the investment. Appreciate any advice. |
