Emerald News

Loved up at Emerald......

2012-01-27T13:16:00.000-08:00

HOT OFF THE PRESS!!!! Arrived today, new artwork from Kim Osbourne at Knockout.

Knockout is a lovely little company that specialises in printmaking and illustration that was set up in 2010 by Kim Osborne. Originally from a graphic design background Kim’s work is mainly print-based with bold, bright colours and simple shapes. Many of her designs incorporate humour, and are all created with the desire to make someone smile. Kim has lived in Thame, Buckinghamshire for the past 21 years.

Kim’s designs are produced by sketching ideas and refining and adapting them on-screen. The work is then either cut into lino and hand printed using a small home-made press, or digitally printed depending to the desired look of the finished piece.

Now in stock: Amazing Hand-pressed Valentines cards at £3.00 each
Valentines Voucher sets (great fun!) £5.50 each
Love prints starting from £10

And Kim uses this amazing little homemade press to create these lovely things - How cool!!

Get them whilst you can, these are HOT, HOT, HOT!!

Long haul flights

2012-01-09T05:28:00.000-08:00

Amongst the many framing orders that were sent my way this festive season, came a last minute request for a custom box-frame. A customer and her son, popped in a couple of days before Christmas day and requested my help in creating a gift with a difference.

The boys Daddy, had just completed flying a plane long-haul to many destinations around the world, and to mark the event, Mum and son had devised a unique gift idea. They brought in six, identical small clocks and wanted them framed together to show the different time-zones of each flight destination.

Sounds like fun and I always like a framing challenge, so I set to work on the frame.

The customer requested that the clock faces should all be behind glass and also required access to the back of each clock, so that the correct times could be set and changed as needed. I used a mount to place and display each clock and an aperture underneath each clock to indentify the destination of each clock time.

With only a few hours before closing for the Christmas break, the frame was collected by a happy Mum and son, and hopefully was a nice surprise for one Daddy this Christmas.

April Jarocka and Chocolate

2011-10-17T10:47:00.000-07:00

I recently framed the most stunning and delicious paintings for a lovely artist from County Clare, Ireland.

April Jarocka had a series of perfectly executed chocolate paintings, and they actually made my mouth water, as I was framing them!!

The paintings were framed as a collection in matching frames, and April chose a black frame, with a gold inner bevel detail, which worked perfectly in highlighting the chocolate wrappers and pulling the paintings together as a collection.

Here’s more information on April and her artwork, including how to view and buy her art online:

April Jarocka

Born 1971 in Plymouth, having lived in High Wycombe 1992-1998, I now live in County Clare Ireland where I work from my studio at home.

I am self taught and took up painting in 2006 after my mother died in 2004.

The bulk of my work has tended to focus on my inspiration from the seashore, particularly on the detail of stones and pebbles, which constantly fascinates me. I paint in oils & acrylics in a style that is photo-realistic and inspiring. Sometimes I paint other things, like chocolate, and this year I painted 10 popular branded chocolate bars, which are now currently on exhibit at Opus Art Gallery, Newcastle Upon-Tyne and can be purchased through them.

I am currently working on a new series of stone paintings that I hope to bring to the UK in 2012.

Some of my paintings, limited edition prints of stones, and drawings can be purchased through my website. Other prints and cards of all my work can be found at Redbubble.com

Email April: serenityinstone@gmail.com

Website: www.apriljarocka.com

Buy art: http://www.opus-interiors.com/artists/AprilJarocka/5783

Buy art: www.redbubble.com/people/apriljarocka

April’s facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/April-Jarocka-Fine-Art/220562337984112

Landscapes and Seascapes Art Exhibition- Bucks artists exhibiting paintings, drawings, photography, sculpture, glass, ceramics & jewellery

2011-09-11T05:46:00.000-07:00

Well folks, our latest exhibition is now open and ready for visitors!!

The gallery is crammed full of stunning artwork, from local Buckinghamshire artists and a few selected artist from further afield. All very unique, desirable and waiting for a new home.

I am very pleased to welcome a number of new artists to Emerald, including Wendy Fowler- a ceramic artist from High Wycombe, who is showing her Beach hut range- www.wendyfowler.com and Julia Hayward - a glass artist from Marlow, who has a number of beautiful glass pieces available in the galllery space- www.juliahaywardglass.com

Please spread the word and I hope if your nearby, you can pop in to say hello and have a look at all the amazing artwork on exhibition :)

Don't forget we are open Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 6pm.

Traditional restoration and gilding

2011-08-01T12:31:00.001-07:00

Check out this video for a brilliant demonstration on how to traditionally restore artwork and picture frames. Includes a glimpse of the art of gold leaf application. Now that looks like fun!!

http://youtu.be/O88y2GzPZs4

This is Marc Sterken, a Belgium framer, who offers a fantastic, creative framing service. I would love a few days in his workshop!!

Marc Sterken, Master Framer-gilder, studied Visual Arts. He studied drawing, aquarel, charcoal and pasteltechniques at the Academy of Visual Arts under the guidance of Frans Smets and Raoul Chanet. Oilpainting under Artur Renson, Georges Francis, Ri Coeme and Oscar Poelmans.

Traditional framing-gilding under the guidance of Paul Wuyts. Restoration of Paper with Ir Etienne Mahieu.

Additional studies with Maitre-Doreur Antoine Palomares at Versailles (France).

Marc Sterken teaches Gilding at te Vizo Tongeren and is a Member of Art Restorers Association.

Here's Marc's website details if you want to see more!

www.kunstrestauratie-atelier.be

Football crazy!

2011-07-25T10:11:00.000-07:00

Well aren’t people lovely......

I was commissioned to frame a Welsh football shirt signed by Ryan Giggs a short while ago and I visited the customer in their house to discuss the picture framing project. The item was to be framed as a gift from father to son and both were present to discuss how to frame the prized shirt.

On discussion, it was discovered that the customer also had a photograph of the footballer signing the shirt, a scarf that he would like displaying with the shirt and also would be keen to have a plaque detailing the memorabilia and the date of the signing. The colours and frame were chosen by the customers, to match the Welsh team colours and to pick out the colours within the collection being framed.

It was all framed to their specifications and the certificate of authenticity was attached to the back of the frame, should it ever be needed in the future (always good to keep it with the item it represents).

It was, as all my football shirts are, framed with convservation in mind, and the whole process is fully reverseable, should the customer ever wish to take the items out of the frame in the future.

So here’s the finished article:

And afterwards I received this lovely testimonial from the father:

“I commissioned Cath to frame a valuable signed football shirt of an international player.
Cath was extremely knowledgeable and offered excellent ideas, including adding the national team scarf and a plaque. Cath was also very patient as it was the first time I had arranged a framing.
The end result was stunning. Far superior to any framed items I have seen in halls of fame, in specialist studios, and amongst specialist framing companies on the internet.
The project was completed in less time than quoted. The price quoted for the commission was fulfilled - no extras - and offered fantastic Value For Money! The cost was below any other quote and the workmanship superlative.
I have not been in touch with Cath since the commission was completed, do not know her personally, but would recommend her without hesitation as a true professional, who deals with her clients - in my case - with empathy, patience and a desire to achieve her client's wishes.” July 23, 2011

Top qualities: Great Results, Expert, Good Value

R Goodwin
hired Cath as a Professional Bespoke Framer in 2011

I love it when my customers are happy :)

Mosaic Fun at Emerald!!!

2011-06-27T08:48:00.000-07:00

This Friday, we had the pleasure of hosting a ‘make and take’ Mosaic workshop, by Teresa Mills.

As part of Bucks open Studios, Teresa was at the Emerald gallery space all day and bought along heaps of mosaic kits, shapes, tiles and sparkles.

With a wide range of people taking part, from retired ladies to our youngest mosaic artist of the day ( aged two !), everybody seemed to have great fun and created some mosaic masterpieces to take home!

Using pre-made templates, it was great and accessible fun for all to get creative and make beautiful mosaic's. Watch this space, as we hope that Teresa will return for more workshops in the future.

In the interim, you can of course by Teresa's stunning mosaics, such a 'love' pictured above from the Emerald gallery, as well as some larger and smaller pieces including her fabulous Mosaic kit brooches and badges to take away and make at home.

Find out more about Teresa here : http://www.teresamillsmosaics.com

Bucks Open Studios has began!!!!

2011-06-19T11:01:00.000-07:00

First Day of Bucks Open Studios- Ruby's ceramics

So, the first day of Bucks Open Studios went very well, with lots of new little pots in the world that didn't exist before Ruby spent the day in the gallery with her wheel.

(Everybody who threw a pot, Ruby will fire them and return them to the Gallery for collection in a couple of weeks :) )

If you missed it, Ruby is back for a further two full days (10 TIL 6), to let you visit and have a chance to try your hand at pottery- she at the gallery the last two days of Bucks Open Studios at Emerald- That's Friday and Saturday the 1st and 2nd of July. Hope to see you there:)

Please find examples of Ruby's beautiful pottery that’s being exhibited at Emerald as part of the Bucks Open Studios and if you can make it, call in and see all the lovely stuff that’s bursting out of the seams at Emerald's Gallery.

Natasha Newtons Paintings in the Gallery!!

2011-05-17T12:49:00.000-07:00

Okay, now contain yourself...I am very pleased to announce the arrival to the gallery space of four new canvas paintings from Natasha Newton. Her work is truly stunning and I don’t think they will be around for long!! Highly desirable and collectable, these paintings are beautifully detailed and so precisely painted. If you love art, you’ll love these.

A wee bit about Natasha:

Natasha Newton is a professional artist and illustrator living and working in Suffolk, England and Paris, France. She has exhibited with many galleries throughout the UK and her work has been selected several times for major shows in London, including winning an award at The Royal Institute of Painters in Watercolours Annual Exhibition.

Her inspirations and influences are wide and varied, but her recent work centres around her love of nature, birds, and a deep fascination with the moon and the stars. Her artwork - once described as 'simultaneously charming and edgy' - often has a slightly surreal or dream-like quality, and has been compared to the work of artists such as Charley Harper, Maurice Sendak and Edward Gorey, among others. Her paintings are in private collections in the UK and abroad, including France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Cyprus, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Ireland, USA, Canada, Australia, and Dubai.

So now you know I have these delightful paintings on exhibition, please pop over and enjoy them, before it’s too late(and they are sold)......Form an orderly queue please!!

Brill to be British!!

2011-04-29T09:27:00.000-07:00

Here in Chalfont St Peter, who are celebrating!!

All the shops have joined together to celebrate, St Georges day and now the Royal wedding with style. And we made the headlines too!! Are festivities haven't gone un-noticed....The Daily mail featured our village with an image of our flags and bunting.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1173582/THE-WIDER-VIEW-Shame-public-buildings-did-fly-St-Georges-Day-flag-including-BBC-House-Commons.html

Of course, Emerald Framing and Gallery were flying the flag with our High street companions!

Creative Focus- New to Emerald Gallery!

2011-03-04T11:35:00.000-08:00

As a gallery space, its wonderful to be able to offer unique artwork, hand crafted by artists in many mediums. Oenone Randall makes quirky sculptures that make you smile, using copper as the basis for her ever expanding portfolio.

Another local Buckinghamshire artist, Oenone works from her home workshop to create a range of copper work with a fun contemporary theme. Emerald exhibits a selection of Oenone's work ranging from a life-size 3D copper flamingo, copper animals to hang in your home, and now excitingly, a range of her unique hand crafted sliver jewellery too.

All of Oenone's work is individually hand made giving each piece its own unique personality.

My favourite addition to the work on display are the hanging words. On exhibition are “love”, “hope” and “joy” each handmade in copper, to bring simple and uplifting words to your home.

Each letter is made using etching and patination to decorate in individual styles.

Great fun and uber stylish artwork with a difference.

http://www.oenonemetalsculptures.co.uk/

Creative Focus- New to Emerald gallery!

2011-02-21T07:26:00.000-08:00

I have had the pleasure of exhibiting the stunning mosaic “wall jewellery” handmade by the clever and lovely Buckinghamshire based artist, Teresa Mills.
Emerald currently has a selection of Teresa's “wall jewellery” on exhibition, any of which would be a beautiful statement piece of artwork in anyone’s home, and would be coveted by all your friends and family!

So, let me introduce the artist: Teresa is a graduate of Brighton college of art and she has worked almost exclusively in mosaics over the last fifteen years. Teresa is the author of four books on mosaic art, including the best selling “mosaic artist's bible” which has been published in more than twenty countries. She exclusively creates her mosaic word pictures, and balances her creative process with running mosaic projects in schools and undertaking commission pieces.

The word pictures are created from shaped fibre board which is filled by hand with a variety of materials including traditional millefiore tiles (made in the MURANO works in Venice), glitter tiles, gold leaf, sequins, gems and embellishments handmade from fimo. This combination of materials provides an intense richness to the pieces - each of which is completely unique. To get this exquisite detail takes many hours of careful, patient work.

Lucky for Emerald customers, I now stock these bags of fun from Teresa, so you and yours can complete your own mosaic masterpiece and enjoy wearing it everyday!
These fabulous little bags contain mosaic kits using diamanté or millefiore to create badges and brooches. They come with full instructions and everything you require to make each brooch, including the pre-cut brooch back, the millefiore or diamanté pieces and the glue.

The perfect, affordable gift or project for you to complete and wear with pride.

http://www.teresamillsmosaics.com/

What's on at Emerald?

2011-02-04T01:05:00.000-08:00

Emerald frames provides a picture framing service and gallery based in Chalfont St Peter, Buckinghamshire. Cath Friend, a guild commended framer offers a full bespoke framing service is available, alongside a fresh, new exhibition space for independent artists

To welcome the approaching Valentines day, Emerald is holding a two week exhibition of local artists work, with a theme of LOVE.

The exhibition is on now, and runs until Tuesday 15th February. It is full of beautiful handmade artwork at affordable prices, with prices starting from £3.00.

If you are looking for an original and unique gift of love this year, you will be warmly welcomed to the gallery in Chalfont St Peter to view the work currently on exhibition.

Why framing is so important....

2010-10-05T11:12:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I'm bais when it comes to framing, but it really can make or break your artwork.

According to the experts, the personalization and decoration of a working or living space can encourage feelings of relaxation and satisfaction with our surroundings, fostering an atmosphere of pride and productivity. The addition of a few personal pictures, mirrors, or other framed objects on a wall can make the difference between a house and a home, or can turn a bland and anonymous office space into a comfortable and inviting environment.

Choosing a frame which is out-of-keeping with the subject being framed is a costly mistake. Each and every time you look at that picture, you will see it's not quite right, or it could be improved, not how lovely the completed framed artwork is and how you enjoy looking at it every day.

A good framer will happily assist you to find the best framing opitions for your artwork, which will bring out the best in each image or item. Factors such as the environment which the frame will hang and the type of artwork will be taken into account, and each framed peice of art will be protected by the frame and hopefully provide you with years of enjoyment.

Canvas Stretching......

2010-08-17T09:20:00.000-07:00

I recently had a customer bring in a rather large canvas which was bought whilst on holiday, transported home rolled up and now required stretching, so it could be hung in her home.

As the canvas was over six foot in length, I commissioned special stretcher bars to be made, which would provide enough support for such a large size canvas. The stretchers included two support bars to ensure the correct support when the canvas was pulled taut.

The canvas had a beautiful gold leaf finish and was a very striking image of a Buddha's head. Quite a statement piece!!

I completed the stretching of the canvas and the customer had to transport the finished item home by van, but seemed very pleased with the end result!

So what will you bring back from your holidays?

Health check-ups for your art

2010-07-23T13:00:00.000-07:00

Time flies and the summer is disappearing fast. Does any of your art and frames require attention?

Some of the artwork you bought years ago may not have been framed with conservation-quality materials and may be showing signs of fading and/or discoloration from acid-migration.
Perhaps some of your mounts and frames looked great in the 1980’s, but now royal blue and grey aren’t as popular as they once were.

Some things to consider:

· Bring your art that you love to the workshop, if it needs a little help – mounts faded or discoloured, frame marked or out-dated, or that just needs freshening up.

· Dig out that picture you got in Barcelona on your city break from under the bed and get it framed and up on your wall. You can’t enjoy it if it’s not up.

· If you are not sure that your framed artwork was conservation framed, bring it in for me to evaluate.

· If you have artwork many years ago and it no longer suits your tastes or environment, maybe you should search for a new picture that you love today.

· If you need help with displaying your art for maximum enjoyment, call me for help – I offer framing assessments at your home or office, to help you get the correct picture, framed correctly in the environment where it will be displayed.

So, you don’t have to have it all figured out. I am happy to perform a no-obligation evaluation of your art to determine what it needs.

After all: Life is too short to live with bad art!

Caring for your artwork

2010-06-03T11:07:00.000-07:00

As a picture framer, I like to promote how you can care for your artwork, be it a photograph of granny or a Banksy original.

I am a member of the Fine Art Trade Guild and they have guidelines to help you care for your art. Shared with you today so you can ensure you’re caring for your art……

Avoid Heat
Ideally pictures should not be hung above radiators. Extreme or rapid changes in temperature cause paper and wood to dry out and adhesives to fail

Beware damp
Damp can cause pictures to ripple. If the ripples touch the glass, the picture might stick and be hard to remove. Damp also encourages fungal growth - likely to show as brown stains. Conservation framing can slow these effects, but it is always best to avoid hanging framed pictures in humid conditions. Allow six months before hanging pictures on newly plastered walls

Eye-level display
Remember most pictures are designed to be viewed at eye-level. When hanging a group of pictures of different sizes align the top edges. Groups of pictures need not be hung in symmetrical patterns, but they should follow some sort of overall design. Try arranging them on the floor first

Hang securely
Use two hooks on the wall, each set about a quarter of the way in from either side of the picture. Check that the cord, wire or other hanger you use is designed to support the weight of your artwork. Where safety is critical, in children's bedrooms, for example, ask your framer about security fittings and glazing

A gentle clean
Dust frames or treat with a soft brush, rather than risk applying water or cleaning fluids. Don't use cleaning fluids or water on the varnished surface of oil paintings; again dust carefully. If cleaning fluids have to be used on the glass, apply them to a duster first (rather than spraying the glass directly); take care not to let the fluids touch the frame

Regular checks
If you find any evidence of discolouration, unsightly brown dots, small insects under the glass or that the brown paper tape sealing the back of the frame has come unstuck, return the frame to the framer. Check for corroding picture wire or weak or loosening cord. The varnish on oil paintings will gradually discolour, especially if the picture hangs in smoky or polluted conditions. It should be replaced as it dirties. Oil paintings stretched over wooden bars may sag over time and the bars can make a slight imprint on the front of the canvas. Take the picture back to your framer for tightening or re-stretching. The Fine Art Trade Guild recommends inspection every five years

Out of the light
Try not to hang pictures directly opposite large windows as sunlight fades colours and discolours paper. Special UV-coated glass can help to slow this down. The Fine Art Trade Guild has set industry-wide standards for printing and framing materials. Ask your framer about the ways in which you can preserve your artwork for the long-term

Handle with care
When carrying and transporting a picture, grasp the frame firmly on both sides. If you have to store pictures, make sure they are stacked vertically and the right way up. When stacking pictures, stand them 'glass to glass' so that the hangers do not damage the frames

Now this is Fabulous!! The Art Handling Olympics!

2010-05-02T09:44:00.000-07:00

I found this article in the New York Times and it made me smile. What a fabulous and funny idea :)

It seems from the photos that everybody is having a wonderful time and enjoying the competition. I wonder if the Art Handlers of England would welcome a similar event with such fun and gusto?

Clink on the link for the great article : http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/23/arts/design/23handlers.html

My little helper, erm... kind of !!!

2010-03-28T10:24:00.000-07:00

So it’s the weekend and I’m thinking it’s about time I photographed my growing stock of handmade reclaimed frames, so I can list them for sale and find them loving homes.

I have moved house since last photographing a batch of frames, and therefore had to spend a bit of time trying to find a good location in the afternoon light. On settling down, sorting out my camera, frame stands, frames, etc, I set to work, inspired and ready to photograph at least ten frames and get them listed by the close of the weekend.

HOWEVER…..I was then joined by my little helper, whom, on seeing the camera, took the opportunity to have a few portrait shots done!! Now I was trying to capture the loveliness of the little white frame, but it got slightly over shadowed by the kitty! After a few shots, he then got up and sat ON the frame, ensuring he was not going to be cut out of the photos!! Cheeky little monkey….

I moved the frame to the window sill on the end, as it was only way it was going to be captured without a little furry friend :)

So in failing light, I got one photo of a partially sat-on white reclaimed frame to list for sale!!! Hope you like it….if you do you can buy it here: http://www.myehive.com/Product.aspx?ProductId=1827

P.S. Sorry, kitty not for sale!!!

Selling Online

2010-02-11T10:24:00.000-08:00

I’m not sure if you have ever sold anything online before, I certainly had tried a couple of sales on EBay, but nothing too crazy, however I have been testing the water with online handmade/craft sites and think I’m finally ready to jump in.

When I started to make a range of handmade reclaimed picture frames, I wasn’t really sure how the promote and market them, and focused initially on my first idea, of storing them in a box (!) and then using them to sell at craft fairs. All well and good, and attending and selling at fairs is great fun, but I now have many boxes in my home, and the craft fairs tend to be periodic in nature.
So I started thinking: What can I do with my frames to showcase and sell in between fairs?

Well, I had a little snoop around the internet and was amazed at the possible outlets for my handmade products. There are so many craft sites and online selling sites dedicated to promotion and sales of handmade lovely stuff. After carefully review of many sites, I set up two shops last year to test to water with my frames, one on http://etsy.com/ and the other on http://www.myehive.com/.

Who and why? Firstly Etsy.com, which is a massive worldwide, established website, stuffed full of stunning craftsmanship, ranging from handmade glass, furniture, jewellery, clothes and many beautiful designs to woo you into parting with your money. All the products are handmade and showcased and sold by the makers and designers. Etsy is an American site and sells in Dollars, but it has a nice contemporary feel and is easy to use. However it is heavy subscribed and I wasn’t sure that my little frames would be found and loved in such a vast marketplace.

So that leads me onto MyEhive.com. This site is relatively new and it is run here in England. As it was new when I found it, I now have become one of the more established sellers on the site. Again it’s very easy to use and provides me with a great, cost effective way to sell my reclaimed frames to everybody. I am able to list up each frame, providing a description, how is made, and what it’s made from. To back this up, I tend to provide two or three images of each frame so the viewer can see the product clearly and hopefully fall in love with it :)
This site covers Europe only, which can appeal if you want to keep postage costs down or if your items are fragile.

I am also able to work on commissions and then list them for payment through these sites, which is very useful. The sites also have forums and blogs, so you can become part of an online selling community, which is a good resource, and MyEhive even have meet-ups once a month if you want to have a coffee and meet other sellers.

All the frames I make are individual and unique, so to be able to list each one separately is fabulous. I have found online selling very enjoyable and beneficial and this year I will be listing and selling even more reclaimed frames on my online shops :)

Please check out my two online shops http://emeraldreclaimedframes.myehive.com/ and http://www.etsy.com/shop/emeraldframes and let me know what you think :)

Mirror Mirror on the wall......

2010-01-30T08:04:00.001-08:00

So who’s the fairest of them all?

Did you know that you can get a mirror custom made by your local picture framer?

It actually quite a good option to consider, as there is much greater flexibility in your choice of not just frame, but also the mirror glass itself.

Firstly, you may not be aware, but mirror glass can come in different thickness (normally the larger the mirror, the thicker the glass should be for safety) it can just be flat mirror glass (normally slightly cheaper), or it can have a bevelled edge.
Bevelled mirrors are available in a wide selection of standard sizes, and if you are in need of a very specific size, maybe to fit exactly into a tight space, you can get a mirror custom-made to any size down to the last millimetre. (However, this option can be more costly than selecting a standard size pre-made mirror!!!)

And so, to think about the frame, mirrors do tend to be heavy, especially if they are large, so normal you need a strong frame to surround them. Many people will choose quite a large ‘feature frame’ with a strong colour or detail to the frame. If you select to get a mirror made at your local framers, you can frame it in any of the framing samples that you could frame any picture in.
I recently framed a large mirror for a client, using the same frame that she had already framed all the pictures that hung in the same room. By choosing this frame for her mirror too it created cohesion in the room and a stunning result. This is often a favourite of interior designers, and can be a good idea if you want something a little different in your home.

So why settle for a framed mirror from John Lewis or Habitat, which you can see in any house on any street?
Step outside the box, for the same money could get something that makes a statement, is truly unique to you and your home, and costs a similar price?
Check out your local framer and see who’s the fairest of them all?

Standards!

2010-01-30T07:58:00.000-08:00

At my workshop, as a Guild Commended Framer, I have high standards to meet for every order that I complete. As a member of the Fine Art Trade Guild, I will assist every customer to find the best frame to enhance their artwork for the appropriate level of conservation for each piece. I only use acid natural materials for all my framing work, and I offer a selection of glass options such as reflection control and conservation clear glass for perfect viewing, and the option of a UV filter to help protect your work from sun damage.
My bespoke framing service includes a friendly consultation by appointment, to ensure the optimum choice is made for anything you might want to hang, be it for photographs, posters, original paintings, needlework, medals or sentimental keepsakes and treasures. With over five years framing experience and a focus on providing my customers with a frame to enhance their artwork, I ensure my framed products are always produced to the best standard.

So to meet the standards that I provide, despite just being a picture framer(!), for my commission work I following the Fine Art Trade Guild’s standards of framing and use my qualification as a guild framer to ensure I am providing the best and most appropriate framing solution to each piece of work that I complete. For more information on the Fine Art Trade guild check out : http://www.fineart.co.uk/

Better late then never.....

2010-01-25T06:38:00.001-08:00

So it’s fast approaching the end of January and I am super busy. As part of my goals this year, I will be blogging more frequently!!
I have had such a busy end of year, that on checking, I haven't updated a blog since November (which is terrible!!) Christmas, of course is a busy time for us all, and life as a framer is no exception. I had lots of wonderful people who visited me to buy works of art for Christmas presents, to get treasured pictures and photographs framed as gifts, and many commissions that were wanted up on walls before Christmas arrived.
I had a lady who had a collection of photos, dating back to cover four generations of her family. She wanted them framing in a periodic collection, and hanging in time for Christmas, so that her extended family could enjoy them during their visit for Christmas lunch.
My collection of reclaimed picture frames proved popular too. The ideal handmade gift to use as stocking fillers!! I attended many events and craft fairs in December and my frames sold like hot cakes. I hope they all went to happy homes :)
So onward and upwards into 2010 I guess. The New Year is proving popular for framed mirrors, maybe people or transforming their homes as a New Year resolution?
I have lots of ideas and projects to focus on and plan to share these with you as my year progresses, so I promise to blog more frequently and look forward you following my adventures.

Handm@de Oxford Contemporary Craft Fair 29th November

2009-11-25T02:09:00.000-08:00

Emerald frames will be attending Handmade Oxford to sell her fabulous reclaimed photo/picture frames. Handm@de Oxford is a city centre based contemporary craft fair which will be full of quality designer-led handmade products. A great place for some unique Christmas gifts!

Handm@de Oxford is on November 29th 2009, Oxford Town Hall, 11am until 5pm and FREE entry.

Spread the word. Come and support me and all the fellow crafters if you can :)

Just got back!

2009-10-25T17:39:00.000-07:00

I really need to get more hours in my day!! I am definitely going to find more time to blog as I am not getting to write here often enough....Sorry everybody :)

I have just got back from attending a business fayre run by a local group supporting women in business. As many of the ladies create or sell a product, they organised a table top fayre, so we could promote our wares and let everybody see, touch, feel and buy our goodies.

I was set up next to my lovely friend Kathryn for a holistic treatment Lounge called Karoma, who was showcasing her lovely range of handmade soaps and natural beauty products. I only took a small selection of frames to sell and also took along some examples of my framing work to represent my commission framing service too.

Here's my table, cute eh?!!

Needless to say, I spent more than I earned!!

Kittie toast power

2009-10-07T10:15:00.000-07:00

Had a day of not really achieving anything creatively speaking, which is a bit depressing as there's so much to do.

Maybe tomorrow will be more productive...hope so!

On days like these its good to look at photos that make me smile, like our kittie eating toast :)

Trying out new mini ehive feature!

2009-10-04T12:00:00.000-07:00

My new designs and Enterprise Nation

2009-09-20T11:14:00.000-07:00

Well life’s been really busy and I haven’t blogged for ages. Sorry! However I have been designing and creating and have lots to tell you!!

It’s quite a story really and goes back a few months….I am an avid reader and follower of Enterprise Nation (http://www.enterprisenation.com/), which if you have yet to discover is a website which focuses on running your business from home.

It has loads of good advice and articles to help you as you work from home and is a great resource…. Anyway, some months back I entered a competition on the Enterprise Nation site to win a printer. I filled out my details and stated why me and my little framing business would benefit from a wonderful new printer and then forgot about the whole thing.

To my surprise, I was contacted and informed that I had been selected to receive a new printer – YIPPEE!!- I was amazed and very happy. My new printer arrived and it’s fabulous. It’s a fax machine, a scanner, a copier and a printer and I love it (it’s also the same size as my lounge and very stylish!)

Anyway, as I can now print anything on glorious colour and with great resolution, I thought I’d see if I could produce some new frame designs which would incorporate my new toy. So I have just started a new range, still used the reclaimed frames currently, but using different printed fronts, which are all hand-finished, to give a new feel to my collection.

I am going to list this frames for sale on MyEhive.com (http://emeraldreclaimedframes.myehive.com/ ) in the next couple of days and hope they sell like hot cakes :)

Let me know what you think….

I have been featured in Handm@de fairs blog......

2009-09-07T10:22:00.000-07:00

OMG! I have been chosen for the "Meet the Maker " feature in Handm@de Oxford's blog... So pleased and happy!

Here's an extract from the article:

SATURDAY, 5 SEPTEMBER 2009
Meet the Maker - Emerald Frames
Welcome to the latest in the series of Meet the Maker posts. This week, we've spoken to Cath Friend of Emerald Frames. Cath also joined us in July at Handm@de Winchester where her frames really went down a storm!

What is your favourite piece? My favourite piece changes on a daily basis, however as all my frames are unique and individual, the are often quite different too. By using reclaimed and recycled products, I have to design around what materials I have available, which drives my designs and each completed frame.

The fair is being held at Oxford Town Hall on 29th November, and will be full to the seams of fabulous goodies handmade by young and contemporary designers. If you have the opportunity, call in for some great unique Christmas presents:)

Please check out the link below for the full article and more information about the handm@de craft fairs.....Let me know what you think:)

http://handmadeoxford.blogspot.com/

Things have been a bit crazy!!

2009-08-25T10:14:00.000-07:00

Hi there, Crikey, it's been ages since I last blogged hasn't it? Terribly sorry, it's just things have been a bit crazy and I have just been trying to keep up!!

Anyway, I'm back now and have lots of say! I have been making some more little frames to sell and have been trying my hand at wirework art!!! Yes okay, I'm a framer, but hey, there's nothing to stop me being creative too now is there?

Anyhow, I'm having a bit of a love theme at the moment, so I made a couple of little simple frames and then made some little wirework hearts from brass wire and sealed them all up - full of love!!

I also made LOVE from brass wire and have listed them all for sale on MyEhive and Etsy, to see how they go.....

Well to my surprise, the little heart in the white frame sold within 24 hours of being listed...So pleased with myself!! I am going to try and made some more similar love tokens and list them for sale too. I guess they will always be a nice item to give for a wedding, anniversary or just as a

token of love :)

Remember: All You Need Is Love!

Foxy Loxy Art

2009-08-09T13:35:00.000-07:00

Okay, time for something a bit different. I was creating at home and have finished the first textile Foxy Loxy art ;)

Foxy Loxy is made using pen and ink on heavy linen canvas and all his socks and trimmings are made of deep wine coloured leather.
He's very busy and obviously on his way somewhere very important!

I have stretched the Foxy Loxy picture and made a complimentary frame to keep him safe (frame measures 22 x 30 cms). As this is textile art, I haven't added glass to this frame, so you can see foxy in all is glory (and so he can get out to eat and sunbathe if he wants to :))

So always wanted your very own fox? ....Now's your chance!

All, as ever handmade and unique.

Sometimes its nice to look at flowers....

2009-08-05T12:19:00.000-07:00

Hi folks,

I know I'm aways rabbiting on about framing and my online shops, so today I thought I'd blog about something else.Now don't collapse in shock!!!

We went for a lazy Sunday afternoon walk along the river Thames this weekend and just relaxed. It was lovely!

We fed ducks and moorhens, stopped at a riverside pub for a glass of Pimms (evidence below!)and walked along the banks of the river, saying hello to people and dogs we met and enjoying mother nature's creations.

Here's some of the nice things we found along our way;
And to top it off, when we got home our lovely neighbours give us some home grown carrots to add to our roast dinner!! I love Sundays :)

Addition of more reclaimed frames on Etsy.com

2009-08-03T05:32:00.000-07:00

Okay, I am going a little crazy and listing more of my little reclaimed frames for sale online.

I have listed a further six on my Etsy site today and have included a little visual guide for you below. I find it takes me so long, from making each frame to finally getting them listed for sale, and as each one is unique, I need to list each one separately.

I would be really grateful if anyone has any ideas or tips to enable me to list them quicker:) Anyway let me know what you think ;)

MyEhive Buy and Sell Handmade Gifts | Products | walnut wonder

2009-07-31T10:54:00.001-07:00

MyEhive Buy and Sell Handmade Gifts | Products | walnut wonder

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MyEhive Buy and Sell Handmade Gifts | Products | cute oak frame 7 x 5 inches

2009-07-28T07:56:00.001-07:00

MyEhive Buy and Sell Handmade Gifts | Products | cute oak frame 7 x 5 inches

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MyEhive Buy and Sell Handmade Gifts | Products | Dark oak stunner! 5 x 7 inches

2009-07-27T09:17:00.001-07:00

MyEhive Buy and Sell Handmade Gifts | Products | Dark oak stunner! 5 x 7 inches

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My green birthday print framed!!

2009-07-18T06:18:00.000-07:00

So it was my Birthday not so long ago and for my yearly treats I selected a couple of stunning prints from very clever artists. How exciting is it when they arrive on the doorstep? The prints I received were beautiful and looked better in real life, than can ever be imagined from a small image on a screen.

I have set about framing them so I can get them up on the wall and admire them every day... The first and largest of my lovely birthday print was from a fellow Etsy seller, and had to travel a long way..from Melbourne, Australia! The print is entitled "Green - World", and has so many lovely details and differing shades of green (my favourite colour!!). You can check out the print for sale and many other stunning works by the artist Sooooound at this link: http://sooooound.etsy.com/.

So, let me tell what I did with this lovely print and my reasons behind it. As ever, I framed to compliment the picture and try to keep the overall design simple, clean and effective.

Starting with the mount: As the print contained many shades of green and had a white border which contained the artist's signature and the edition number of the print, I wanted to frame the print ensuring that the colours were complimented effectively and that the details of the artists signature and edition number were visible. Therefore I took into account the colours in both the picture, but also the colour of the white border too.

I started with a green inner mount, that was matched to a green within the picture, and then spaced the inner mount form the outer mount, leaving a visual gap between the layers of mount board. This was done to give a sense of depth and also to assist in bringing the viewers eye into the picture.

I chose an outer to match the colour of the white paper that borders the image, and choose to decorate the mount with a single simple V-groove around the aperture.

Due to the organic feel to this picture and the textures in the print, I chose a rough textured pewter coloured frame to complete this framing job. As you can see from the top photo, I left a slightly larger border at the bottom of the mounts, as I felt it balanced the overall framing better and looked visually more attractive.

So I've completed my first birthday print and have it hanging on my wall to admire and make me smile every day. I hope you like what I have done to complete this project, let me know what you think :)

Handm@de Craft Fair Winchester

2009-07-08T13:14:00.001-07:00

So Sunday was the day of the Winchester handm@de craft fair. I have been a busy bee making lots of little frames of all colours and sizes from reclaimed frames and recycled materials to bring
along and sell at this event with the assistance of my lovely better half.

Now Dave and I have never been to Winchester before Sunday, but we liked what we found. It's a beautiful old city, full of history, amazing buildings and dark alleyways- if you get the chance I would recommend a visit. Anyway, I digress....this is the venue that greeted us on arrival-the Winchester Guild hall!

We set up our wares on our designated table and were nearly ready for the public when the doors opened!! (late as ever) We were camped in between a lovely lady called Joan who painted and sold her own cards and prints and a lovely family headed by Jane who was Fizzology, selling handmade soap and bath bombs. Lovely neighbours for the day and the smell from Jane's goodies was divine!!

Here's a couple of shots of our stall front at the start of the day, which due to lovely folk buying our frames, changed constantly throughout the day to include new stock!!

Now it may look as if Dave and I were just stood around chatting and drinking tea all day, but honestly we did do some work!!!

The fellow crafters were selling such beautiful things, all made to amazing high standards and filled with love and thought. I wasn't able to visit everybody, but check out the very talented hungdrawnquoted.co.uk for quirky artwork and textile design, http://monda.etsy.com/ for the excellent handmade softies and cards, http://fiveinthemorning.com/ for lovely hand pressed linoleum prints and http://bluefairydesigns.co.uk/ for stunning glass work.

I could have spent a lot of money there!! The fair was contemporary and fun with many young designers and crafters with a flair for the unusual, and the day went so quickly. I was kind of sad when it was over and it was time to pack up and leave:( Still there's always the next one...in Oxford in November to look forward too!! But more about that soon!

Finally a big shout out of thanks to Alice of http://raspberryfairy.etsy.com/ who organised this event, I loved it and hope to be invited to the next one- hope you enjoyed your post fair Pimms!

What a surprise- part two!!

2009-07-06T06:08:00.000-07:00

Blimey I am so behind with everything!! Finally got around to posting the second part of the blog I wrote on 17th June, times flies eh?

So I framed up the contents of the pretty envelope and gifted to our friends, and now I can reveal the contents - and how I framed it.

So here's the delightful print that I bought from fellow Etsy seller hide n seek htt p://hiddeneloise.com/ which I mounted up in a four block mount sandwich. I used four different shades of creams and browns and by setting them in layers, managed to create a really nice deep bevel aperture into the print.

Then for the frame....I ummed and aah'd about this one. Do I go safe and frame it neutral to fit in with any decor? I contemplated using a stained oak frame, dark enough to complement the browns in the print, but happy to sit in anybody's home on any wall.........Then I found some stunning moulding that was just made for this print. Maybe not as subtle as my first ideas, but just looked fab...so (hopefully not too much of a crazy choice for our friends) I framed to focus on the bear in this work:

Hope you agree that I made the right choice of frame? Let me know what you think!.......

Photographic workshop extravaganza

2009-06-18T09:54:00.000-07:00

Okay, so maybe I'm going a little crazy by writing two blogs in one week, but right now I have a lot happening and I want to share stuff with you!

I was lucky enough to attend a photographic workshop this week ran by the lovely Louise from http://www.myehive.com/. The workshop was called "How to take *WOW* factor photographs" and focused on how to take the best shots possible to promote and sell items online.

Now, with Louise's help and her keen eye for design and detail, we went through many different issues that plague me when I try to photograph my lovely frames ~ my main issue being the reflection of light (or me) in the glass of my creations.

By exploring my camera, learning the best conditions to photograph my work in, and some cool tips and tricks, we got some stunning results.

Check out some of the test photos we achieved at the workshop:

And it was a fabulous way to spend a couple of hours on a Saturday, which of course included cups of tea and cake!!

So armed with my new photographic expertise (!) I am going to be shooting lots of new photos of my frames and hope to produce much improved images to justify the standard and loveliness of my creations.

Click on the links to my online shops if you want to see more.....

What a lovely surprise!

2009-06-17T11:54:00.000-07:00

Well, I had to share this with you!

As it was my birthday last week, my DOH gifted me with some prints from Etsy sellers. As the prints arrive I am more and more thrilled with them and have so many ideas on how to frame them and where to hang them, that my head is spinning!!

Yesterday though, I received the most wonderful package through the post. I has to go down as one of the most thoughtfully designed and presented post I have ever received. I had to take photos of it before I opened it and show you what I mean!!

Now this is a front and back shot of the envelope I received from fellow Etsy seller :Hide n seek (http://HiddenEloise.com), beautiful - and that's not even considering what was inside! How thoughtful and clever.

Now I am not going to show you what was inside, as the artwork is bought as a gift to a friend.

I am going to frame it up and then, once I have given the gift, I shall reveal how I framed it~(else my friend my see it here first, before she gets it!!!)

So part two- the framing, to follow :)

Poppies!

2009-06-08T11:04:00.000-07:00

Okay, so it has nothing to do with framing today. Just lazy Sunday's....

We went out for a little wander yesterday and took a few photos of what we found on our journey. It was due to rain, but through very careful planning (otherwise know as sheer luck!) we managed to miss the worst of the downpour by popping into a lovely pub for a drinkie. Once the heavens had opened and all was looking a little drier, we headed back onto the river bank to enjoy the fresh air and see cool stuff like baby ducklings, electric blue dragon flies, and discarded spotty feathers.

Whilst walking we found a farmers Field with a huge crop of wheat that was edged with big red poppies. Just stunning...looked like we were in a Cadbury's flake advert!!-Only without the chocolate :)

Also found some lovely groups of red and pink poppies growing in the Field (I had to wade through long grass to get these photos so I hope you like them!!) Happy bumble bees and happy me!

This is what Sunday's are all about....

Better late than never!

2009-06-03T07:53:00.000-07:00

So it took a bit of time, but have finally gotten around to photographing (not the problem) and loading them onto my computer (the problem!) the Kittie and my latest art purchase.

The cat has been very busy sunbathing and not exerting himself in the recent hot weather we have been having. In fact I have to admire his clever little ways as he very smartly chose to sunbathe mainly inside!! I guess when your furry it makes sense.... Here he is not trying to wear himself out too much:

So safe in the knowledge that Arnie is dreaming of cheese and onion crisps and chocolate buttons, I moved on and took some photos of the Scandinavian Red Hare print that I framed up a couple of weeks ago and is hanging proudly on my wall. As the print was so simple in design and colour, I was able to frame it simply, but highlight the beauty of the design and echo the colourways in the framing. I hope you like it and would love some feedback on my choice of frame and mounts:)

Full frame shot and Corner detail showing deep bevel mount

So what do you think?

Bank holiday awaits...

2009-05-22T13:46:00.001-07:00

So its Friday evening before the start of the May bank holiday and its going to be sunny this weekend. Hooray!! Arnie (my lovely stripey cat) is very impressed about the forecast...

I will be working for Saturday, but then will have some time to relax and drink wine with friends hopefully. I have just finished framing a beautiful print that I bought from a fellow Etsy seller. I have spent a long time choosing how to frame this print as I wanted it to be special. The print is of a real 7o's inspired red hare I found from Dee's blog http://deebeale.blogspot.com/: If you get the chance, check out Dee's shop at deebeale.etsy.com as she's a very clever cookie.

I have mounted it in a deep bevelled mount and then used a double mount to bring out the brilliant red. The whole thing is finished off by a brilliant red aluminium frame, and if I say so myself, it looks the business!!

I will take some photos of the finished article, so you can see what I'm rabbiting on about (or should that be haring?!) and maybe a couple of Arnie taking in the sun and post them up real soon.

Have a lovely weekend everybody:)

Reclaimed frames

2009-05-18T23:26:00.001-07:00

As part of making and selling picture frames, I have decided to create a range of frames using reclaimed materials. These frames are made using waste from the workshop, that would normally be too small to use and I also recycle old vintage frames, resizing and refinishing them, ready for a new life in a new home. I sell these frames online http://emeraldframes.etsy.com/ or at http://emeraldreclaimedframes.myehive.com/ and have sold at my first craft fair recently. The craft fair was great fun and having the frames out together on display, made them look fabulous and they sold like hot cakes. However, the organisation and preparation was another story! Check out the photo's below to see how midnight the night before the craft fair was looking as I tried to organise the frames to take!

At least the cat was trying to help!

Morning!

2009-05-18T22:36:00.001-07:00

My first blog!

2009-05-18T12:19:00.000-07:00

Hi everybody!

This is my first ever blog, and apparently blogging is the bees knees.

Keep your beady eyes on this page to find out what's going on with Emerald Frames :)

Best wishes & regards, and speak soon!

Cath.