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.





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





There is some decent stuff hiding inside.





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











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.








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.



cont'd . . .

[glenn bradley]

. . . cont'd

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







Then . . . everybody gets mitered.




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




The inner frames look like so.




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.




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




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




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




And LOML and her daughter each get one of these.





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 .

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.