Last week I wrote about floater frames for cradled boards, specifically for encaustic paintings. I continued to look around the web for resources and have ordered another frame from Frame USA. This frame is similar to the ones I ordered from Dick Blick are about $5 less expensive. I ordered a frame in clear maple and 12" x 12". This is not a standard size so they don't have them in stock but build them as ordered. I"ll let you know how they look.
Elisa Sparks was generous sending me photographs of frames she recently learned.
Frame on left = Artwork pictured from the back on right
Example by Elisa Sparks
The frame is made from inside corner molding which you may be able find at your lumber stores. This molding comes in many sizes and is called by several names. Basically you are looking for wood that has been milled to have part of the mass removed to make a "shelf" on which your panel will sit. The frame is made slightly larger than the outside dimension of the art so there is a space between the art and the inside of the frame. I have not been able to local this style molding in a store as yet but will keep looking.
You may notice the small blocks placed in the corners on the back side of the art pictured above. These blocks serve two functions. They lift the panel off the back frame and they provide a place to insert a screw to attach the panel to the frame. On a cradled board you don't need these as the boarder of the panel is thick enough to serve as a foundation for the screw.
When you do purchase or make frames of this type you will need to consider whether you worked on a flat panel or cradled board and the depth of the board. You will need to decide how much float space you want around the edge of the art and in some cases how you prefer to attach the panel to the frame. The Dick Blick frames come with holes pre-drilled but these holes are very close to the edge and could cause splintering of the edge of your panel. I intend to purchase some off-set clips for the next ones I mount. Here is what those look like. You should be able to purchase them at a big-box store.
Off-set frame clips
Encaustic Print and Frame by Elisa Sparks
There are lots of video's on making frames on Youtube but I didn't find one that exactly fits what I'm trying to share with you but you might get the idea from viewing some of the ones posted. May of the video's show frames for stretched canvas which doesn't always apply to how a cradled board is framed.
Another source that was suggested was Florida Frames. They have a very nice selection of styles of floater frames and their style 1006 showed the shape of the corner molding I was suggesting you might want to use in making a frame. I did not follow through with pricing the frames at this site as you have to submit an order to get the price but I'm sure the order is not "made" until after you have the pricing information.
Another source for beautiful frames is Metropolitan Frames. Their frames are fabulous but more than I wanted to spend at this time but still worth looking into.
Thanks to Elisa Sparks for sharing these photos.
