Do It Your-Selfers: Don't Do This!!!!!

Some people get into reframing their old artwork. The enemy of this money saving effort is impatience. Doing the job right with patience is particularly important when you are reframing artwork on paper. There will be old tape and if you rip off the tape... the following WILL happen:
1. You will peel a surface layer of the paper off (see photo on right)
2. This will reduce the value of your artwork, if it is vintage and has value (this one does).
3. You will risk ripping the paper... which did not happen in the case of this photo.

This impatient do-it-your-selfer was "trying to be careful", felt she was "an experienced art handler" but couldn't stop herself! The result? A reduction of 20% in $3,500.00 value of the artwork when compared to a copy in pristine condition.

How to you avoid such a blunder? Dissolve the glue of the tape and lift off the tape CAREFULLY. Ask for guidance by a conservator or experienced framer. Be patient!

$25,000 fell off the wall!

Even if you think you have a strong enough wire on the back, the eye hook that attaches the wire to the frame could pull out if the screw hole has been used over and over. Even if you have the artwork's hanging hardware looking good, you might have it barely hanging onto a nail on the wall! Even if you think its a good sturdy nail, it could pull out of the plaster wall board fairly easily. In other words, the weakest link will be the one that causes the whole thing to come crashing to the floor... JUST LIKE THIS $25,000 PAINTING!

If you live in hurricane or earthquake country, I'M TALKING TO YOU. But I've seen hanging items come off the wall with as little as a sonic boom and playing rambunctious kids. For additional suggestions about shake proofing your hanging artwork, look for an article on www.preservationcoach.com

A Good Way to Ruin a Frame

Taking a bottle of gold paint may seem like a good way to fix a chipped or damaged old frame... but the gold paint doesn't age the same way as the original finish. It doesn't take much time for the paint to turn brown or dark green and be totally out of character. In the photo, the outside scoop and edge is darker than the inside gold edge. Once the gold paint has been on the frame awhile, then it becomes impossible to clean it off without having to refinish it completely.

Another tip... don't throw away old frames (even if they are badly damaged) before you know if they are worth something. A potential buyer might be an art gallery that sells old art. They have their ways of repairing, refinishing, cutting down etc. I love to collect old frames too. For tips on how to care for old frames go to www.saveyourstuff.com and download the chapter on "Frames." There are free downloads also.

Do you SHIP Art Work?

Do you SHIP Art Work?  Make sure you know the PACKING RULES for shipping ART! You do not want it to look like this when it arrives from the east coast!  Do you have a carrier you trust?  Do you have bubble-wrap and 2 sheets of cardboard for the front and back? Do you have a crate for over-sized work? Do you have 2 boxes that allow at least 4 inches around or on each side when packed? That is...AFTER it is wrapped with bubble-wrap.
The rules:  Wrap with bubble-wrap using clear tape (a tape gun makes it easier), 1 pc.of card board on each side, front & back, then double-boxed and sent off with INSURANCE and with an experienced mail carrier!  You can also call an art transport truck if there are multiples or over-sized pieces. There are art carriers who do it for a living!  Ask us!  We are here to help you with all your preservation, conservation & restoration questions about art and of course YOUR STUFF!