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Framing Documents as a Collage, Part 2 Creating the Collage From "Get Framed" episode DGFR-105

(Continued from page 1)

Figure E

5. For overlapping items in the composition, be sure to use barrier paper between the items. Barrier paper is an acid-free material--a 1-ply mat board about the weight of a postcard. It can be found at any art supply store.

For our collage, we have two paper envelopes that overlap (figure E). Because the envelopes are made of regular paper product which contains acids that will cause deterioration over time, we will cut out a portion of barrier paper the size of the overlap and insert between the two envelopes so that they are not actually touching each other in the collage.

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6. Create spacers. The cardinal rule in framing is: never let your documents/artwork touch the glass. Over time, moisture might form and seal documents to the glass or cause the items to get moldy. To prevent that, we need to create a bit of space between the glass and our collage of letters/photos. The traditional way is by using a mat frame within the frame. However, we will create our own spacers that will do the same job but also possess some meaning for Lauren. One spacer will be a tiny plaque made at a local trophy shop with the address of Lauren's childhood engraved on it. Another spacer will be a name-plate with her mother's name written in English and Hebrew. Other spacers will be color copies of vintage stamps from the letters Lauren's mom sent to her during her lifetime.

	Figure F
	Figure G
	Figure H

Our spacers will be evenly distributed around the mat backboard (the stamps about 5/8 inch from each corner edge of mat board, and the plaque and name-plate closer to the middle of the collage) so that the glass will sit evenly on them.

• Trace each stamp onto the black acid free mat board (figure F).

• Cut about 1/8 inch inside the traced line with an craft knife or scissors to create a piece slightly smaller than the stamp (figure G).

• Make two more identical pieces from the black mat board.

• Adhere all three pieces together with double-stick tape and glue to create a pedestal for the stamps.

  Tip: It's important to insure that all pedestals are the same height so that the glass is evenly balanced.

• Secure the stamps onto their pedestals with double-stick tape and glue (figure H), then adhere the whole thing to the mat board (also with double-stick tape and glue).

• Let spacers dry while you create the secret pocket for the frame.

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RESOURCES :

Amir Studio and Frame Gallery
www.amirframegallery.com

Jewel Box Platinum/Jewel Box Frames
www.jewelboxplatinum.com

Larson-Juhl Framing Supplies
www.larsonjuhl.com