The Frame Game

If you are at all like me, once you have a child (or get a dog) you begin to take a TON of pictures.  Each one is always cuter than the last and is quite deserving to be showcased beautifully in your home.  For me, I like the idea of having annual photos taken, not only my girls, but also our family.  These days are precious, and I never want to forget the details of my baby's hands, noses and smiles from all periods of their childhood.

Whether you choose to have your pictures taken professionally, or you happen to capture that priceless picture on your personal camera, the process of getting to the point you can hang it on your wall can get super pricey.  

Even with the sales that the "big box" frame shop/craft stores offer periodically, I still can't justify coughing up the cash with as many photos I've deemed worthy.  And as I've stated before,  I've got "thrift" running through my bones and consider it a challenge to get the job done and at a fraction of the price.  

If you go into the "big box" frame shops, you can choose from their ready made frames or select from a vast array of custom options.  The ready made frames come in a number of styles and sizes for most standard sized photos.  The custom options typically cost more due to the fact that the frame itself is constructed on site after the shop orders the frame material of your choice.  A lot of times, you end up having to purchase more material than you actually need and it can take 3-6 weeks to process your order.  

There are several different glass, matte, backing and hanging options, all ranging in price and quality.  Typically, you get what you pay for, but at the same time, take into consideration what it is you are framing.  ie. how valuable/replaceable is it?  

My favorite "plan B" tends to be a bit more time consuming, but saves a ton of cash.  I love the look of creating collages of art by mixing pictures, dishes, mirrors, iron work, and yes, even my husbands pheasants.   

To be as un "cookie cutter" as possible, once again, I comb through garage sales, estate sales, antique and consignment shops for old frames.  You really have to look beyond the artwork and take a close look at the frame itself.  Carry a list of the pictures you are seeking frames for as well as their dimensions.  I prefer to have large mattes on my art.  When planning the arangements of certain pictures, I suggest using the same matte color, and a neutral one at that.  To me, the art should be the focus and a brightly colored matte can greatly change the look of the piece and could possibly be distracting.  

If I am looking to frame a 8x10 picture, I will look for at least a 16x20 frame.  If the frame has glass, that's all the better because it saves you $$ when you go to the compilation stage.  Most good wooden frames can run $30-$200+ depending on the size, which to me is too much.  I have found awesome, interesting frames for under $10.  With a sheet of glass ($8 +/-), a matte ($5 +/-), backing ($6+/-) and a hanger ($1), you can potentially have a colaborated piece for $30 total.  Now that's a deal!!!  And if you're really lucky, they will even assemble it for you.

Here are a few examples of some of my thrifty frames and finished products.  

Memories should be preserved in any way, shape or form. Make them timeless, it's well worth the investment.  Happy frame hunting!

Outside of the Box

Ever since I can remember, I have loved a bargain!   Not just at the grocery store, but on everything.  I particularly love a steal of a deal on things for the home.  I'm a bit obsessed, I confess, but it has proven to be a healthy hobby that has paid off in the end.

I can remember my mother allowing me to play with her sewing machine and i would stitch pieces of scrap fabric together, learning how to adjust the spacing of the stitches and tension.  And who knew that all the refrigerator boxes I turned into playhouses, would plant such deep seeds and a passion for creating unique comfortable homes.

It's probably like any other addiction or obsession, I get a wave of butterflies when I come upon an antique shop or an estate sale.  It's in these places you can find the best treasures at great prices.  Sometimes, with a little elbow grease or coat of paint an old piece can have a new shine.  I have watched the shows on television where people suffer from hoarding or soak their entire life savings on Mickey Mouse trinkets, but this is different.

Working with wholesale vendors in my design business has also led me to believe that paying full retail is never ideal.  I always look for a plan "B" way to establish the same concept.  My husband also is keen with being "economic", making our money stretch as far as we can, with little splurges here and there.

My latest endeavor is to find old upholstery pieces that have good bones and are worth revitalizing.  I have found that estate sales have the best deals on these sort of things.  From my experience, most companies that conduct the sales have a mailing list that you can join and receive notices of upcoming events.  If you can wait it out, the last day of the sales, most things are marked down even further, making the bargain all the better.

Recently, I picked up these two beauties.

TOO "beige", for heavens sake!  In great condition, this oval cane back arm chair just needs a bit of attention to the frame and new upholstery.

This sad case for a low wing back, again, has good bones and just needs some cosmetic work, to say the least. As i work on these two beauties, I'll post their progress, good or bad! 

To sum it up, to save some hard earned dinero, look in places that may be outside the box.  You will defiantly be surprised when you see quality pieces at bargain prices.  And besides, it's an adventure to find unique, and sometimes, one of a kind of treasures that will make your home unique.  I'm not one for "cookie cutter", and if you know me, you know that the thought of it puts a funny taste in my mouth.

Have fun on your treasure hunt!