Frames for the Family

[glenn bradley]

I don't chat much about it but, I'm just coming off limited duty due to some medical fun and games (the boards from my lumber run last December are still setting on my bench). Easing back into things (still limited on lifting) I thought to catch up on some small stuff. Picture frames can keep you occupied.

I've got some maple 'filed' in the figured section of the plank sanctum but, it doesn't look like much from the outside.


https://www.woodtalkonline.com/uploads/monthly_2018_06/856487216_FramewithInlay(1).jpg.bc38ededad502bb07c feff0434c11950.jpg


I rough cut some smaller blanks so I don't have to lift a lot to get it resawn.


https://www.woodtalkonline.com/uploads/monthly_2018_06/2121060467_FramewithInlay(2).jpg.08e945f834df619e1 56c5605ccd8261e.jpg


There is some decent stuff hiding inside.


https://www.woodtalkonline.com/uploads/monthly_2018_06/2143424276_FramewithInlay(3).jpg.000916f0f1fd1c110 9757f2cc4e29876.jpg


I also rip some thin face-side stock for the inlay.


https://www.woodtalkonline.com/uploads/monthly_2018_06/1439943892_FramewithInlay(4).jpg.a7a2476a891f22b6f 58794828ad4969a.jpg


https://www.woodtalkonline.com/uploads/monthly_2018_06/684008397_FramewithInlay(5).jpg.f5b04969e76c4b8c40 8938671d9b6c65.jpg


https://www.woodtalkonline.com/uploads/monthly_2018_06/784445739_FramewithInlay(6).jpg.3abede159096d5150b 7d0eb0e69d2894.jpg


For small items I can often use up stock that is leftover from some larger piece. Here I laminate some long thin walnut spoil to eventually make the outer frame stock.


https://www.woodtalkonline.com/uploads/monthly_2018_06/1081628269_FramewithInlay(7).jpg.e82a37c48786a13ce 5a34eb0bbf705cc.jpg


https://www.woodtalkonline.com/uploads/monthly_2018_06/1300155918_FramewithInlay(8).jpg.2aad76bdea8680d38 4d865c9209dafe1.jpg


I lay the birdseye strips into the top groove you see in the pic above with glue and clamp them face to face divided by waxed paper overnight.

https://www.woodtalkonline.com/uploads/monthly_2018_06/1543069169_FramewithInlay(9).jpg.b029878b2d385e97b d3834c63187bfc6.jpg

cont'd . . .

[glenn bradley]

. . . cont'd

I clean that up with a hand plane to get my outer frame parts.

https://www.woodtalkonline.com/uploads/monthly_2018_06/1630403164_FramewithInlay(10).jpg.0f327d682092259c 767b987afc716029.jpg


https://www.woodtalkonline.com/uploads/monthly_2018_06/376962043_FramewithInlay(11).jpg.bbf9b759955c23558 f6033a16be17431.jpg


Then . . . everybody gets mitered.

https://www.woodtalkonline.com/uploads/monthly_2018_06/572058881_FramewithInlay(12).jpg.e863d10ed57b1560c 4cda7da40077563.jpg


Making multiple picture frames is about as close to production work as I get. Still lovin' the assembly/outfeed table.

https://www.woodtalkonline.com/uploads/monthly_2018_06/1366810207_FramewithInlay(13).jpg.0dd35fa7a569c347 ee18f20fcd46b3ff.jpg


The inner frames look like so.

https://www.woodtalkonline.com/uploads/monthly_2018_06/1391379633_FramewithInlay(14).jpg.00c6c0bc64554d5e 83cef3abccd83dfc.jpg


Side note: These wide mouth Mason or Kerr jars are my favorite for holding finish blends for projects like this. Even for larger projects I will decant into one of these since it is easy to carry around (and get my hand into) while I am circling a larger piece. If there's a bit leftover, you can store it in these for quite some time. Cheap too.

https://www.woodtalkonline.com/uploads/monthly_2018_06/839340958_FramewithInlay(15).jpg.a52796ec4f7bd89e0 036692d3c0073d0.jpg


Back to the regularly scheduled program. Once assembled it starts to look like so.

https://www.woodtalkonline.com/uploads/monthly_2018_06/1421368739_FramewithInlay(16).jpg.19f36a7085ed7983 6ada04c3365104da.jpg


I did a pair with the birdseye for a set of mother/daughter presents and a couple simpler ones for LOML.

https://www.woodtalkonline.com/uploads/monthly_2018_06/2039589969_FramewithInlay(17).jpg.2de8a3d7e6591a10 7637aaacde38d7eb.jpg


The ones for LOML hold canvas applied photos that include her late son. The photos are treated to look like brush work.

https://www.woodtalkonline.com/uploads/monthly_2018_06/638497428_FramewithInlay(18).jpg.a468a7f47df87508a 6567e440ee47d90.jpg


And LOML and her daughter each get one of these.


https://www.woodtalkonline.com/uploads/monthly_2018_06/1879426675_FramewithInlay(19).jpg.bf4a9ff2e7478b20 085493f62f0b2bbc.jpg


It is the daughter's firstborn on LOML's lap. I got that shot by pure luck with my phone during a gathering some months ago.

[Jim Becker]

Those are truly beautiful!!!

[Mel Fulks]

Lovely. I've only seen a few birds eye frames, but I don't think there is anything better for drawing people to take a closer
look.

[Ken Fitzgerald]

Absolutely beautiful! Well done Glenn!

[Joe A Faulkner]

Really nice work and something the family will use for decades. IMHO we don't frame enough of these great family photos. Good for you for taking the time to create these special keepsakes.

[Al Launier]

Glenn I wasn't aware you had experienced a medical situation. I'm sorry to hear that and hope you are mending well and quickly.

The frames are truly beautiful and elegant. It's not just the wood, but more importantly the craftsmanship involved in making them; it really stands out.

I try to make use of my leftovers, but unfortunately my projects are on the small size to begin with, so the leftovers are very small with little chance for reincarnation.

Stay well & keep your threads/posts coming, I look forward to them.

[glenn bradley]

Thanks to everyone for the kind words. It is fun to make smaller items and often surprising that it can take a similar effort as larger items to make them :D.


Really nice work and something the family will use for decades. IMHO we don't frame enough of these great family photos. Good for you for taking the time to create these special keepsakes.

A lot of families seem to have someone who hangs on to the thread to the past. I'm ours. I have mom's mukluks that Grandma made (1924), jack knives that Grandpa made (depression years) and of course, pictures.

[Bill McNiel]

Glen,
Beautiful pieces, well conceived and executed design. Excellent choice of materials as well, pretty much checks all the boxes.

Your post is informative and inspiring. Thank you for sharing.

Regards - Bill

[David Utterback]

Glen,
Impressive work as always. Hope you are back to full scale soon.

[Christian Hawkshaw]

I agree with everyone...those are very nice, very nice.

[Charlie Jones]

Very nice frames. They show your care and craftsmanship.