I get to see the most interesting things: keepsakes and pieces of history from all over the world. We all want to hold on to something tangible that keeps us in touch with places and people from our past. The sentimental value of these items cannot be counted in any kind of currency. This piece is a beautiful example of a rare family keepsake.
It is a piece of fibrous wall board that comes from an old farmhouse in NAALDWIJK, The Netherlands. The customer that brought it in for framing grew up looking at these little Dutch girls that adorned the walls of the kitchen. Her mother had stencilled them. The house is now gone, so is her mother.
A little piece of both will keep on living in this shadow box frame that we crafted to house the remaining piece.
It now has a place of honour in my customers country kitchen in Southern Ontario.
Since the piece itself is a true folk art item with genuine country charm we opted for a very simple arrangement. The board itself was float mounted on a delft blue archival mat board and shadowboxed in a stacked wood frame. The cap moulding "Straw Bandana" by Larson-Juhl beautifully reflects the weathered appearance of the item itself.
A piece of conservation quality glass was inserted in between the two frames.This will not only protect the keepsake from environmental hazards: dirt, dust and soot, but it also keeps the piece from further fading and discolouring. A generous amount of spacing will keep the glass well off the artifact. It is good to keep in mind that even when only the best quality materials are used in the framing , a piece like this should always be hung away from direct sunlight. A picture frame is like a greenhouse...or a car...a closed space behind glass where heat and humidity builds up in seconds! Direct sunlight will cause condensation and any moisture could activate the growth of mildew. A piece of old wall board is a prime candidate for that! Mould does not only mean a death sentence to your art work but it also provides a serious health hazard to you and your family.
So, here we have it again: putting an item into a frame does not necessarily preserve it,
in fact, a well-meaning but uneducated do-it-yourself job will most likely destroy it.
Framing a family keepsake is paying homage to people that are/were important in your life.
Respect your past, trust your treasures to a PROFESSIONAL picture framer.
A frame within a frame..
in that kind of frame of mind
I will remain ,
Outi, your FRAME DAME
