Framing Fix

[blumoon]

Hope I can explain this right. I find matching mini frames to the paintings very difficult. For example, I cut a support 2' X 3", then when I go to fit it into the frame, even though they say they are for 2 X 3 some a too large in the window opening, and some are too small.

I should also mention that when I cut the support a tiny bit bigger, then my painting ends up being bigger . . . perhaps I don't know when to quit. LOL.

Right now, I am getting ready for a show, and did buy some of those gold frames from Micheals, and some others too, metal and also wood. The paintings are too small by about 1/16 of an inch. Could I make a very narrow matte, barely visible just to secure the work in the frame, you know, how when something is double-matted, about the width of the inner matte.

Doesn't seem to be any way around this matte cutting business.
I am cursed! Help! LOL.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[Bertoni]

I've never done it, but a 1/16" mat might work! Try it and see what it looks like to you.
With the Michael's gold frames, if that's the frame I'm thinking of I usually frame it without glass. But then again I'm painting in acrylics, so that works. If it's a watercolor, that's another story, the the 1/16 mat could work!

[blumoon]

Hi Bertoni,
Yes, the gold frames I got are like the ones you have shown many times. I am doing acrylic on board, and I prefer to frame with out glass. Wish me luck. I am going to need it, cutting mattes that small. Perhaps I could pray to the framing gods! LOL. I am going to try it. Let you know how it works out.

[valchina612]

Good luck Blumoon!!!!!! I know the trouble you are having, and it is very frustrating. Please let us know how you go, and show us a photo of your finished piece.

Val.

[Bertoni]

Blumoon:
Good luck and hoping it works out for you! And by all means show us some examples when done framing!!!

[blumoon]

Maybe I will look around for a matte cutting class. Won't have time before the show . . . I am left to my own devices this time. LOL.

[ms.patricia]

Do they have matcutters for miniatures? I know I got a mini mitre box and saw and cut my own frames. That way I can cut them directly to the size of the painting. I use the painting itself to measure the wood. I have a regular matcutter but that simply won't go down to the size I would need for miniatures. Please, please post whatever you find out. Frames for minis has been a problem for a lot of artists.

[blumoon]

Hi Ms Patricia
Wow, where'd you get the mini mitre box? Haven't heard of a mini matte cutter . . . but I may look around. I've got a logan handheld. If I find one I will post about it!

[Sonia]

As far as cutting miniature mounts using a standard mat-cutter, I sometimes start off with the mountboard larger than I need it, cut the correct aperture for my painting, then trim the outer edge of the mountboard to fit the frame. It's a bit fiddly, but it's one way round the problem.