How to Frame Your Own Pictures by Warren Jane

How to Frame Your Own Pictures (Crafts)

by Warren Jane

This visually appealing book introduces readers with no previous knowledge of the craft to simple techniques for creative home picture-framing. It shows how investing in a few essential hand tools and basic materials can save you hundreds of pounds on your framing costs, and help you create high-quality handmade gifts for family and friends.

Step-by-step photos and easy-to-follow instructions - as well as useful insider tips' - reveal the secrets of DIY framing.

Ten original projects include simple techniques to frame canvases and stretch canvas artworks, make standard frames and box frames using readily available timber, and even craft a 60-minute mirror frame from a plank of wood. You'll learn techniques for cutting mount-board and glass, and discover the secrets of easy gilding, decoupage and copper embossing to decorate your frames.

The Woodland Pie framing style is all about accessible creativity; making easy and appealing frames from basic materials and always using hand-painted or hand-made finishes.

Find out how to create a lustrous, versatile, go-to paint effect for your picture frames using nothing other than household emulsion paint, water, and wire wool!

This brilliant how-to book cuts out the unnecessary and promises to get you hobby framing in no time -with creative flair.

Reviewed by annieb123 on

5 of 5 stars

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Originally posted on my blog: Nonstop Reader.

How to Frame Your Own Pictures is an accessibly written no-nonsense guide with to framing by Jane Warren. Due out 30th Jan 2021 by Pen & Sword on their White Owl imprint, it's 120 pages and will be available in paperback and ebook formats.

Being able to control the creative process and customize framing for art and needlework gives an extra distinctive and exclusive finish to the pieces we hang in our homes. It can also be a significant cost savings over having it done elsewhere.

The author does a good job of covering the process step-by-step. The book contains a thorough introductory chapter with in-depth descriptions of tools and supplies and materials lists. The following chapters contain individual tutorials in ascending order of difficulty and starting with a basic frame followed by chapters covering makeovers for charity shop frames, found materials, gilding, box frames, embossing (gorgeous copper frame tutorial including optional patina here), and other specialty custom alternatives to make the perfect frame for any need.

The author has included a useful resources and vendor list with links. The sources listed are slanted toward readers in the UK, but readers located elsewhere won't have problems locating retailers and suppliers online with a simple Google search.

I have a huge box of needlework, embroidery, and antique textiles lying in an acid-free box with tissue paper between the layers and this book has really inspired me to gather the tools and materials to custom frame some of them so they can be seen and enjoyed.

Four and a half stars. This would be a super selection for public and school library acquisition, makers groups, activity groups, or the home studio.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 18 December, 2021: Finished reading
  • 18 December, 2021: Reviewed