If you’re the Pink Panther, you’ll want to show off your sparkling personality and luxurious fur coat. An electric blue frame is a bold choice. Frames not only complete a piece of art, but also make an attention getting statement.

Choosing the Right Frame:

Many elements come into play when deciding the best way to display your artwork. The subject matter, colors, style, medium, patterns, and textures should be taken into consideration. This painting is perfectly complemented by an ornate wood frame in a coordinating color. The textured bands along the frame’s perimeter are reminiscent of wild vines, which ties in nicely with the landscape scene.

This beautiful painting is a feast for the eyes. The artist’s use of bold colors, and textures calls our attention to the figures in the foreground. The softer palette in the background features delicate architectural details, such as sculpted wall ornamentation, columns, and archways. The strong geometric lines of the frame mimic those found within the painting.

This unusual piece consists of sea life themed ceramic tiles and a frame that resembles coral. It’s the perfect marriage of art and frame. Two thoughts come to mind: First, you could create your own tile mural using the incredible decorative tiles on the market, which look hand painted. Secondly, you could add texture to a frame to extend the artwork beyond its borders in perfect harmony.

Framing Options:

Wood or metal frames accommodate a large range of image sizes, and make great gifts.   Many include both tabletop and wall hanging hardware for more flexibility in displaying your photos.

Everyone knows about square and rectangular frames, but did you know there are also circular and oval frames? For every piece of artwork there’s a perfect frame.

Painted wood frames come in a large variety of sizes to fit most canvases with ease.

You don’t have to settle for a solid color frame. Call attention to your favorite photos with colorful, patterned frames. Can’t find what you want? Do it yourself. A few leaves and flowers will go a long way to personalizing any frame in your unique style.

This distressed wood frame, with glass insert, creates an instantly aged look with rich complementary colors, and visually interesting patterns and textures. .

Antique wood frames and replicas have lavishly hand-carved details, which lend an air of grandeur to any mirror or painting. The top layer of leaves has been rubbed with gold paint to enhance the details and showcase the depth and complexity of the carving.

Specialty Frames:

This collage frame can be set up in a matter of minutes and is ready to hang.

Shadow Box frames, such as this one from AC Moore, are available in varying depths to accommodate trinkets, small objects, and even memorabilia, such as a sports team jersey. Choose from open front or glass enclosed options.

Ornate metal frames include hand painted details, rhinestones, and some have sculpted figures around the perimeter. The frame becomes a sculptural piece of art in itself.

Whether your pet has fur, feathers, or scales, you’ll have photos in need of an appropriate frame. The frame shown above, from AC Moore, is a great solution.   There are themed frames for every occasion, including engagements, new babies, and holidays, just to name a few.

Decorative Mats:

Mats provide a more polished appearance to artwork, come in many colors, and are available in pre-cut or cut your own options. A specialty tool for mat cutting makes the process fairly easy, although you will need a cutting surface. Double mats (shown above) provide color coordination and contrast.

This double mat detail looks adorable and was fairly easy to do. Trace your pet’s foot onto paper. Draw the toe and heel pads and cut them out. This becomes your footprint template. Trace the footprints onto the tan mat board and use an X-Acto knife to carefully cut them out.   The brown mat board will show through, creating the look of footprints around the perimeter of the frame.

Needlepoint requires special framing. During the stitching process, the canvas becomes misshapen. The blocking process ensures the design will appear correctly. Instead of using mat board, fabric wrapped mats are often added to the frame, as shown above.

Unique Photo Op:

A photo clip is a unique way to display a favorite photo, postcard, or love note from that special someone. The peacock and floral design on the base is attractive with or without a photo, and can be changed at a moment’s notice with no effort at all.

Choosing a frame is a very personal decision. Take your time deciding how to best frame your treasured artwork. You’ll be glad you did.

Thanks for Reading & Happy Crafting!