You finally found a photograph, painting, or drawing, which speaks to your soul, evoking special meaning in a style uniquely your own.  Before rushing out to buy whatever frame you can find, you might be able to refresh a one you already own, or you could personalize a readymade frame. 

Painted Frame

A room’s lighting & color scheme will have major effects upon your artwork.  Be sure to view the item in the room you wish to hang it.  The frame can be easily painted to match or contrast with existing décor.

Sponge Painted Frame

Sponge painting is easy and fun way to add color and texture.  Paint the base color first with a brush and then apply two or three additional colors with sponges.  Experiment with different colors and techniques on scrap paper first until you find the combination that works best. 

Decoupage or Scrapbooking Frame

Decorative scrapbooking papers, wallpaper and contact paper offer infinite possibilities.  Whether you decide to cover all or part of the frame, simply glue on your designs. 

Seashell Frame

A plain picture frame gets a fashionable update with a seashell border.  Beads, glass marbles, pom poms, flower petals, and anything else you imagine can be applied for a unique finished art piece. 

Fabric Wrapped Frame

Textile designers continually push the limits of color, geometry, and texture, ensuring you will find fabrics you absolutely love. 

Gilded Carved Wood Frame

For a museum-quality finish, apply gold or silver paint on the surface details.  The recesses will remain dark, while enhancing the three-dimensional carvings. 

Background & Border Colors

Look for colors, patterns, and textures within the image, which can be coordinated with matboards, metallic trims, fabric wrapped edging for needlepoint, and decorative frames.  The same applies to plaque mounted artwork. 

Do’s & Don’ts:

Triple Matted & Framed -Options 1 & 2

This neutral gray mat will work with any décor but choosing colors within the image, such as blue, creates a more dramatic piece of artwork. 

Triple Matted & Framed -Options 3 & 4

Green is also a great border color to harmonize with the artwork.  Although there is a small amount of red in the image, the red border pulls the viewer’s attention away from the image. 

Carved Wood Frame

This field of wildflowers grows outward onto the floral, carved wood frame.

Metal Frame – Options 1 & 2

This frame is pretty, but the cool silver tone works in opposition to the warm pink flowers.  The cool grays in the owl photo harmonize with the frame. 

Ornate Metal Frame – Options 1 & 2

The bold silver frame overpowers the delicate baby’s breath flowers.  The frame’s scroll designs resemble shells, while the strong geometry and saturated colors of the seashells hold your attention. 

Floral Frame – Option 1

While orange provides the maximum contrast to blue, this floral frame is too “busy” for the multitude of leaves in the photo. 

Floral Frame – Option 2

Here we see a perfect match between subject and frame.  The bluebird and delicate crabapple blooms harmonize with the blue hydrangea frame. 

Wood Dentil Edge Frame – Option 1

The rigid geometry of the border and heavy appearance of the frame competes with the delicate butterflies and flowers in this springtime photo. 

Wood Dentil Edge Frame – Option 2

The rounded, faux wood grain frame borders resemble tree trunks in the forest. 

Wood Dentil Edge Frame – Option 3

The warm wood tones coordinate beautifully with the soft orange and green in this nature scene.

Wood Dentil Edge Frame – Option 4

There’s quite a bit of “masculine” energy in this photo, including the high-performance sports car, raptors in flight, and the rugged desert landscape, which are perfectly showcased in this tailored frame. 

Gilded Carved Wood Frame vs. Color-Coordinated Frame

This ornate gilded wood frame freezes the motion of the ship upon the stormy sea, while the second frame extends the movement and accentuates the purple sky. 

Gilded Carved Wood Frame – Options 1 & 2

The cheetah’s spots and the surrounding colors are echoed in the frame, as are the textures of the leaves and bricks in the second painting. 

As you can see, choosing the right frame to showcase your artwork is easy to achieve.  Let your artwork tell you what it wants by observing colors (warm or cool, pastel or bold, light or dark), patterns, textures, and themes.  The most important thing your artwork should do is make you happy!  

Thanks for Reading & Happy Crafting!

Carnival of Venice is one of the oldest pre-Lenten festivals in the world.  Venetian masks and costumes are lavishly decorated with luxurious fabrics & braided trims, feathers, beads, intricately hand painted designs, and touches of gold or silver leaf.  Together, let’s explore this magical celebration. 

Bold & Beautiful:

It’s All in the Details

A fantastic location like Venice calls for equally dramatic costumes.  Every intricate detail in these opulent red velvet and gold costumes mimics the delicate lacelike architecture.

Lady in Red

“All eyes on me” is the message of this feathered beauty.  With mesmerizing blue eyes and matching lashes, it is impossible to look away.

Flirtatious Orange & Black

Who is the flirtatious woman behind the mask?  You may only catch a glimpse of her, but the impression will last a lifetime. 

Pretty in Pink

Mirror Mirror…who is the fairest of them all? 

Passionate Purple

From sequins and beads to feathers and fabrics, this purple and gold ensemble stands out in a crowd.

It Takes Two – Couples Costumes:

In Perfect Harmony

Although individual details vary, these costumes are perfectly coordinated by design.  Lush green feathers create frames for showcasing their lovely golden masks. 

Too Close for Comfort

No matter how hard they try, these two lovers will not be able to kiss, but their body language makes us believe anything is possible. 

Somewhere in Time

Wearing vintage costumes, while standing upon a dock on the Grand Canal, time seems to stand still. 

Eternally Yours

Most couples vow “until death do us part,” but this macabre pair are going above and beyond for eternity.

The Four Classical Elements:

Earth

In ancient times, it was believed that the world was made from four basic elements: Earth, Air, Fire, and Water.  Layered in flowers, vines, butterflies and birds, this costume would please Mother Nature herself. 

Air

Simply by walking, these voluminous feathers stir the air.  Twinkling rhinestones, glitter, gold trim and sequins create the illusion of fluid movement in this light and airy mask. 

Fire

Even from afar, it’s easy to recognize this fiery costume.  While I appreciate all the work that went into making each of the individual flames, I think lighter weight reflective fabrics would be more successful in conveying the illusion of flickering fire. 

Water

When you live in Venice, water plays an integral part of daily life.  The shimmering, reflective, color changing effects of these costumes mimics the ebb and flow of this watery world. 

Focal Points:

Gemstones & Beads

Faceted gemstones, iridescent beads, rhinestones and sequins adorn every inch of this one-of-a-kind dazzling costume. 

Luxurious Fabrics

Everything from gossamer fabrics to lush velvets, adorned with braided trims, call attention to this interesting trio.  The undecorated white masks and blank stares do not complement the design, causing the wearers to appear to be mannequins. 

Exotic Feathers

Peacock feathers certainly make a statement.  Metallic paints, faceted gemstones and glittering gold accents perfectly complement the natural iridescence of the feathers. 

Intricate Layers

How many hours do you think it took to make these costumes?  Both have layer upon layer of fabrics.  The one on the left is adorned with pearls and gold trims, while the one on the right consists of sheer pastel fabrics wrapped upon soft wires, making each one adjustable in any position.

Earthy Textures

Cool metallic “half” mask with granulated glitter accents, soft tulle fabric, fluffy feathers, rhinestone studded trim, polished beads, and smooth porcelain come together in this beautifully textured ensemble. 

Staying In Character:

Flamboyant Performer

Ready to perform at a moment’s notice, this performer awaits the first musical notes to set her feet in motion in the ancient art of dance. 

Sassy Fashionista

This feathered headpiece reminds me of 1920’s fashions.  Her sassy posture and look of confidence and curiosity in her eyes work in such harmony that it’s easy to forget she is wearing a mask. 

Woodland Sprite

Like hummingbirds, fairies seldom stand still.  The surprised facial expression combined with the sideways glance, tilt of the head and arm position imply she may dart off at any second. 

Masks with Personality:

Humorous

Want to be the life of the party?  Without saying a word, this amusing mask will make you smile.  Add a funny walk or a few bobbing dance steps and viewers will be laughing in no time. 

Mischievous

Being naughty can be fun.  Either of these masks will keep them guessing what you will do next. 

Mysterious

Want to add a little mystery to your life?  Glowing eyes, in the darkness, keep their secrets hidden.  What lies beneath that sly smile? 

Playful

If you have a warm and bubbly personality, or you are a cat lover at heart, this mask may be the “purrfect” choice for you. 

Taking Center Stage:

Our Solar System

Until I saw this costume, I never realized one person could represent an entire solar system in an elegant and stylish fashion. 

As always, thanks for reading! 

Happy Carnival & Happy Crafting!