Q: I have recently been gifted over 30 vintage ukelele music sheets and want to do something special with them but I just don't know what. I am hoping the ever-resourceful readers of Apartment Therapy could help. I have so many of these music sheets that something like this would be better suited to the expanse of our staircase wall or likewise.
I just don't want to put these into individual black frames like I've done in the past so I really need help to find a new way to decorate using these really unique pieces. Also, please note we have 2 ukelele's that are hung on the wall to keep from getting damaged whilst not being played.
Sent by Kelly
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I love these- I also love the idea of framing and placing in the staircase, such as you have suggested. Instead of using just a black frame, you can use a lighter frame with a wide white matte around each image. Think about just framing 5-10 in these larger frames.
Another idea - you can coordinate colors in the prints with other accessories in your space. For instance, hang only the images that are predominantly blue. Add blue pillows to your couch, blue rug, etc. in a year or so, you can switch to red, or black and white.
Since the ink might fade on the vintage pages, you might want to consider framing color photocopies instead of the originals, especially if you'd like to be able to continue using them as sheet music for your ukes...
Thank you Kealoha for taking the words right out of my mouth. I joke about scrapbookers, but they've got it right when they scan vintage illustrations to use in projects. If you scan the original, you can use the image many times. If you cut up or use the original, buh-bye.
Another variation of the photocopy thing is to make custom wallpaper!
There are websites that will take your images and do this for you.
Donate them to your local conservatorium for use in their library.
It's not really a unique way to display them, but as a museum geek I have to weigh in to second Kealoha's suggestion of scanning the originals and displaying copies! Get yourself some archival folders and boxes to store the originals. Alternatively, invest in picture frames with UV-resistant glass and hang these babies out of direct sunlight.
Congrats on a gorgeous collection!
Yep, I have one framed. It's old and it's the first time I saw ukulele spelled correctly.....
If you want to get rid of them, let me know! I collect old sheet music.
Do it the other way: copy the insides before you frame the music. That way, if someone says "How does that music sound?" you have the music ready to play.
Send them all to me in California. I collect them. And having been using them as art for years. One of mine even is written ukelele on the front.
Nice pieces!
However, I didn't realize vintage sheet music was so precious... All the used bookstores in my area (California Bay Area) have loads of them with beautiful covers for only $0.50-$3. I love and collect vintage art/paper media, but perhaps because the sheet music is so ubiquitous around here I would never think to donate them to a museum or bother with archiving originals! Am I just spoiled rotten?