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How To: "Frame" Odd Shaped Artwork

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With events like Renegade Craft Fair and websites like Etsy it's easy to end up with oddly shaped art or more pieces than we have walls.
How does one display those odd sized prints that might not fit in a standard frame? What happens when you buy 3 pieces of artwork that would look fantastic in that spot above your couch?
Do you bribe your custom framer with sweet treats so you don't go broke? Or just keep it all in a flat file, tucked away, never to see the light of day? Check out the easy fix after the jump!

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A $0.75 find at a local junk shop (it was on sale), inspired a unique framing opportunity.
In less than 5 minutes you can turn a plain salvaged board into a backer for artwork that is dying to grace your walls.

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By using two Boston Bulldog Clips (to hold the art), two thumbtacks (to adhere the bulldog clips to the board) and eye hooks (to allow it attach it all to the wall) you instantly have an interchangeable art display. You can leave the board naturally distressed or give it a quick coat of paint to freshen it up.

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It will save a fortune on framing odd size pieces and allow you to show off your art collection. So troll Etsy with gusto looking for your new favorite artist!

Tags

How To..., artwork, Etsy, Framing, Artwork, Blue, Boston Bulldog Clips, Inexpensive, Renegade Craft Fair

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Comments (13)

I like this! I might have to give it a go.

posted by mamabythesea on June 16th 2008 at 12:36pm
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A timely idea for me. I just made some purchases at Thumbtack Press and The Little Friends of Printmaking to brighten up my cubicle walls. I'd rather spend money on art/prints than framing.

posted by peacelily on June 16th 2008 at 1:24pm
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That looks great!

Does anyone have any other ideas for creative framing (or super cheap mats)? I'm in love with quite a few etsy prints that either require (expensive) custom matting, or something more creative.

HELP!

posted by mcb23 on June 16th 2008 at 1:28pm
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You can use regular binder clips too, which are cheap, come in lots of sizes and most people have a few just around.

Careful, because any kind of clip will usually put a dent in the paper, but you can stick a buffer of folded cardboard or felt between the clip and the paper to cushion it.

posted by freckle on June 16th 2008 at 2:38pm
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may i ask who made that cute print used in this post?

posted by yanners on June 16th 2008 at 3:18pm
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Yanners - the last link in the post takes you straight to the artist (Zach Trover)!

Sarah Rae - I love the ability to switch out art as you see fit, in my mind I have a revolving collection of postcards, that get changed every week according to mood/theme/color!

posted by pinkninky on June 16th 2008 at 4:40pm
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I love this idea.

If you're looking for more traditional frames in odd sizes, framesbymail.com is great. Pretty reasonable prices and you can customize everything.

posted by kittynyc on June 16th 2008 at 5:29pm
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Really cute idea!

posted by theseboots on June 16th 2008 at 7:18pm
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That looks seriously great. Thanks for sharing. Awesome!

posted by topia7 on June 16th 2008 at 8:38pm
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That print rocks. And the hanging solution pictured is right on as well.

posted by thebitterfoodie on June 17th 2008 at 3:54am
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great idea. any bostonites have a good source for scrap wood?

posted by closertotheocean on June 17th 2008 at 5:03am
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I can't wait to try this! I'm a custom framer that is so used to high preservation standards- and while you can do so many great things with mats, fillets, fabric, and frames upon frames... it'd be nice to have something different.

I love it!

posted by dunklekatze on June 17th 2008 at 12:19pm
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And what amazing art to go in the amazing frame!
:P

posted by pickledjo on June 17th 2008 at 12:36pm
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