Gallery 88 Picture Framing & Art
6247 West Blvd., Kerrisdale V6M 3X4 Vancouver, BC, Canada

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A challenge we often face, is how to take something that is fairly small, and present it in such a way that it looks more important and valuable, without show casing the framing and overshadowing the memento or keepsake. We recently had to frame a small crown charm that was a memento of the twenty fifth (Silver) anniversary of the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth ll. We decided to use a dark mauve linen mat with a silver fillet and frame that matched the colour of the charm as c...losely as possible. Rather than place the bottom of the crown on the mat, we decided to spot stitch the crown on its side, to best display its shape and relief. We shadow boxed the crown a comfortable distance from its height and brought a second mat on top - then one inch from the crown we used the silver fillet, covering the bevel, to contrast and being a larger presence to the crown. The value of the contrast between the mat and the crown, the fillet and the frame was quietly profound. We kept the framing very simple, as not to compete with the frills of the crown. As you can see the overall presentation was not too big but big enough to give the crown an heirloom presence that would only grow in sentimental value. Again, we used Ultra Glass to cut down on reflection and enhance the clarity of the crown, especially its depth and highlight the supporting texture of the linen mat. We feel that the overall effect was very special. The customer was also very pleased with the overall presentation.

Gallery 88 Custom Framing and Art has framed numerous hockey, football and basketball jerseys. Typically we try to choose a neutral mat, often white, black or a non bright color that is in the jersey. We are always careful to choose a color that will not allow any part of the jersey to blend too much - disappearing into the mat. For as much as possible, and there always exceptions, we try to maintain a fairly strong contrast between the mat and the jersey. But the stronger co...lor should always be the jersey. We never want draw too much attention to the framing. The jersey is what we want to showcase, not the framing. The framing should keep up to the jersey but never overpower it with competing color. We always adhere the linen mat to acid free foam board to add body and structure to the presentation. We also try to fold the jersey in a relaxed, natural pattern that maintains its logical shape as a jersey. Usually there is a signature of the player and we try to showcase that, for as much as possible because it adds to the value and personal character of the jersey. We also make an effort to show the numbers on the arms of the jersey because that is an important aspect of the player. Sometimes we are forced to show half of the number on the sleeve on one side and the other half of the number on the other sleeve. We spot stitch the jersey to the linen mat, removing all unsightly wrinkles, and keeping the stitches hidden so that the jersey looks more like it is suspended above the mat, than stitched to it. This effect is further enhanced by using one half inch strips of the mat board as spacers to suspend the glass above the jersey and create a more three dimensional quality to the piece. The glass then, does not make contact with the jersey and so it to appear more natural - not crushed down by it. Usually we allow for a two inch space of mat around the jersey. That mat size provides perfect separation from the jersey and never looks too spacious. We usually use a simple black wood frame that is deep enough to allow for the relief of the material and strong enough to hold the weight of all the parts of the presentation. We like to minimize the weight of the framed jersey by using plexiglass, which is about half the weight of regular glass. This choice allows for a very stable and secure balance between weight and size. Our customers are always impressed and excited when they are reunited with their prized sports jerseys.

"Sometimes you win, sometimes you learn." John Maxwell

At Gallery 88 Custom Framing and Art we always strive, for as much as possible, to keep the framing of any piece of art or keepsake "even" with the piece being framed. This means that our color choices will always attract less attention than the article being framed. This philosophy was particularly important when we recently had to frame a dagger that looks like it came out of "The Lord of the Rings". We went with a neutral, dark green, linen mat, that naturally contrasted ...with the shiny, slick, silver color of the blade and the darker textured silver of the handle. Because the dagger was fairly deep, we shadowboxed it and ran the same dark green linen mat up the inside of the frame rabbit. We also chose a frame that both contrasted well with the dark green mat and was very consistent with the colors and textures in the dagger. The strongest contrast is very deliberately the one between the dagger and the mat. We also chose to use Ultra Glass, which is amazing for safeguarding the clarity and the textures of all the details in the dagger and the supporting textures of the linen mat. You can see that the chemistry between the dagger and framing was very soothing. The customer was very pleased with the overall effect. We always enjoy custom framing challenges that allow us to showcase our design strategies. Click here to see the full size image of the custom framed dagger http://www.gallery88.ca/custom-framing-dagger/