(the following work is a copyright of Anne M. Huskey-Lockard, 2009)
I don't think there are any of us out there that have not had, at one time or another, a gift to give or a donation to make that was at a *bad pocket book time*---i.e. you're fairly broke, but you have to do something. Or it is a political thing where if you don't donate you're on the perpetual ca-ca list, and that irks you more that you have to spend money. Or you have to give a present to some extended kin you really DO NOT LIKE (or even know).Well, I'm here to help you out. (in other words, you owe me. not firstborns...just blog publicity!)
At this point, any professional framers reading this should click out of the page. I know some of you live near me and I want to continue a happy and healthy existence!!!! ;-)
The above frame is a cheapie from a local dollar store; I think I paid between $6 and $10 for it, and it's barely worth that. It is made of heaven only knows what. So you have to be careful in the disassembling.
First, yank off the paper covering the back and see what you have to work with. This is a common cardboard and staple combo, the type that usually has me saying bad words after I've cut myself a few times! The secret to pulling the staples is to pull them straight out at the angle they went in. Sometimes they will split, so be careful! They can rip skin easily!
You usually can tell by looking close; then shove the tips of the pliers into the cardboard, grab that staple and PULL!!! Repeat as necessary until everything is loose. Dispose properly of the staples immediately---I've had them fall on the floor and find them with my feet, or have a piece found with a finger somewhere under a pile of papers. Not fun, and not sanitary. Seriously.
If you're lucky and nothing breaks, you should end up with an assortment of *parts*: frame front and glass, inside decorative piece---which in this case is thin molded plastic (!!!) and what is the *art*. Needless to say, that's going......but you have to use it once first.
After you have GENTLY removed the art from the inner molding, save it in one piece. It will be your template for cutting a canvas panel to fit in the opening left in the molding.Place the print on the front of a canvas panel and use either a very sharp craft knife or a rotary cutter and ruler and cut the panel about 1/16" smaller on the two edges. (you'll only be cutting two, since the other two will be the panels existing sides) This will allow for space when you use paper to collage the panel, and that WILL add a bit of size to the edge.
Check the fit. I lucked out---no digits cut off, panel fits good with a little wiggle room. Also make sure the canvas panel sits a bit below the molding, so you have room for coats of paper, gel, etc. You don't want that to touch the glass, because I guarantee it will stick.Now, the next step will be collaging the paper onto the panel, and that is tomorrow's installment!
Tune in again; Same Bat-Time, Same Bat-Channel!!!
And have fun with this-----just be creative and make some art! Cheap.
Pax.
