Framing?

[Blink190]

I've been making a lot of projects lately, and I want to frame all of them, however, going to Michael's, or any crafts store for that matter, means spending a lot of money to get anything framed. I know that making a wooden frame is possible on my own, but I want to stick to a sturdier, more metallic kind of frame, and I'm not sure where or how I can do such a thing, if at all. Is there a tutorial out there, or any possible way that can teach me how to frame my own projects so I don't spend so much money on framing?

Any and all help is appreciated : )

[MortalElf]

Michaels generally has a lot of their frames on sale, actually. You can pick up a decent one for between $5-10 on most days; even if the one you want isn't on sale, with their newsletter coupons, you can generally get them that cheap, unless they're huge frames you're looking for. As long as you don't have the framing department make you one custom, that is. That's pricey.



-Thanks.
/Mortal_Elf/

(just spent 8 hours dealing with those very frames)

[corbin]

I actually work as a framer at Michaels and custom will start getting pretty spendy, but MortalElf is right usually any given week half our frames our 40% off and coupons can be your best friend. Also I know my store just started doing sold as is for ones that either the glass broke or frame has a chip and if you are planning on either no glass or re-painting the frame you can find a lot for like a dollar or two. Another place to check if you don't mind a little hunting and waiting is garage sales, estate sales and some goodwills carry frames too, oh and the dollar store too. But hopefully that helps, framing knowledge doesn't come in handy very often lol.

[johloh]

ive found the best place to buy frames is a thrift store...the frames will usually cost $1, of course they often have ugly ugly ugly art or pictures in them, but that is easily fixed!

[tnitnetny]

Walmart has a great section of frames for only $3-$5. You have to stay within the traditional 5x7 or 8x10 in order to use regular store bought frames.

My problem seems to always be I make odd shaped things so have to spend the money on the custom framing. I always wait until Michaels has their half off sale before I do them. It is still pricey, but not as much.

[Blink190]

I should've been a bit more specific >.<

I need custom frames : P

A lot of the stuff I do doesn't always fit into the frames that they have, so I generally need a custom one. And I did try to frame one of my stitchings in a regular frame, but I had difficulty getting the piece to stay on the cardboard that was supplied with the frame. Any tips for that, or for the custom framing that I should've mentioned?

[corbin]

If you are looking for custom framing most company's run sales very frequently as good as 60% off your entire order which can be a pretty good deal. As far as fitting in ready made frames you can use stitchery tape along the back of the card board to secure it or how custom framers usually do it is to pin it onto a piece of foam core and so long as you have a nice framer they will shoot new points into the back of the frame to secure it since it usually won't fit into it after. Another sometimes cheap option is just to get a custom mat to fit into a ready made frame. Hope that is more helpful.

[Blink190]

If you are looking for custom framing most company's run sales very frequently as good as 60% off your entire order which can be a pretty good deal. As far as fitting in ready made frames you can use stitchery tape along the back of the card board to secure it or how custom framers usually do it is to pin it onto a piece of foam core and so long as you have a nice framer they will shoot new points into the back of the frame to secure it since it usually won't fit into it after. Another sometimes cheap option is just to get a custom mat to fit into a ready made frame. Hope that is more helpful.

That is pretty helpful, thanks.

I'd like to avoid going to a store to get things custom framed, because it's just really expensive nowadays, and I don't have that much money to spend. The stitchery tape is interesting though. I guess it would be sold at just about any craft store?

The pinning is a good idea too actually, thank you

[johloh]

I'd like to avoid going to a store to get things custom framed, because it's just really expensive nowadays, and I don't have that much money to spend.

to me its not even about money...I personally just can't get past paying someone do something that I can learn to do myself. Its kinda a pride issue.

[corbin]

I know most michaels won't carry stitchery tape joann's might I haven't thought to look while I was there. If you can't find it it is basically just fancy ATG which every frame shop has or most scrap book departments should carry some form of it. I also forgot but if you have a Michaels that hasn't been remodeled they have self stick board in the yarn sections that you just lay the piece over and apply pressure.

to me its not even about money...I personally just can't get past paying someone do something that I can learn to do myself. Its kinda a pride issue.

I am that way too especially since I already frame all day it would seem silly to pay to have some else frame my stuff