I absolutely love framing art pieces! It really can give a piece of art a whole new life. I wanted to share a few things I’ve learned about framing and getting art pieces reframed.
Frame Something Unique
First up, try framing something unique! I’ve written a post on collecting art, which you might find handy for gathering ideas.
I stumbled on this embroidered wool rug (similar here) at a consignment shop. It was perfect for that empty wall in our house. I’d been searching for ages, and finally, there it was!
I loved the colors and texture but knew framing it would be a bit pricey. After nearly a year, I finally took it to a frame shop to get an idea for a frame and a quote.
The lady at the shop said it would take two people three hours to hand-sew it onto a backing to preserve the piece without damaging it. When I picked it up, I was thrilled with the result.
Then there’s this gem—a postcard from the 1906 St. Louis World’s Fair that I found on eBay. It’s got these little holes with colored vellum behind them. Hold it up to the light, and it looks like it’s glowing. How cool is that?
This delicate piece is over a century old, and knowing my great-grandmother attended the fair adds a special touch. I got it framed with glass on both sides, so you can still hold it to the light and see it glow. It’s both elegant and protected for years to come!
One day at an antique mall, my friend and I came across baskets full of old photos. We spent over an hour going through them, finding little pieces of family histories. I found this amazing photo dated 1931. It reminded me of Jacques Henri Lartigue’s work, one of my favorite photographers.
I loved it instantly and took it to a local hobby store to get it framed. They cut a matte to fit and put the whole thing together for under $10!
Now this special photo is on display instead of being hidden away in a basket. A slightly larger frame with a custom matte can really make your picture pop.
Tips for Purchasing Secondhand Frames
Here’s a tip for buying secondhand frames: if you come across a frame you love at a thrift store, grab it—even if the art inside isn’t your style. Frames can be pricey, so buying secondhand and updating the frame later can save a ton.
I usually have a little stash of frames waiting for the perfect piece of art. Once I find it, I bring both the art and the frame into the frame shop. It typically costs about $10-$15 to swap the art and add new hanging wire. Easy peasy!
Once, a framer told me the frame shouldn’t distract from the art. While I mostly agree, I can’t resist the beautiful, elaborate frames you see in art museums. They might steal the show a bit, but they’re just so gorgeous!
I love how my friend Kendra’s abstract paintings look in these big gold frames—it’s a blend of classic and cool.
I found this big gold frame on Craigslist for next to nothing and held onto it until I found the perfect piece.
Remember that postcard? Before taking it to the framers, I had it scanned at a local photo shop. Then I used Photoshop to spruce it up and sent it off to be printed in a larger size. I added a matte and put it in that gold frame. Now, it hangs proudly above my desk.
Buy Art With Bad Frames
Another thing to consider—buy art with bad frames. Often, the art inside is in great shape; it’s just the frame that’s seen better days. If possible, keep the original glass to save on costs, and let the framers handle any disassembly.
I found these pieces on eBay, and while their frames were in rough shape, a quick reframe made all the difference.
I hope this inspires you to frame some art or be on the lookout for great frames and matching art.
