10/05/2025
Making samples
Most (all?) professional framers have corner samples that they use when working on a design with a customer. Using a combination of mountboard chevrons, and frame corner samples, we build up a design for the customer.
When I teach my students, I encourage them to add to their basic range of mountboard chevrons. For example, I supplement mine, and have used a variety of decorative mount samples, including prepared double mounts, V-Groove and others with lines and washes, for years. Having these helps my customers get a better picture of the end result. You can of course layer mounts with the same results, but I find having prepared examples really useful.
I also have small completed framed examples on display in my workshop. For these I frame small postcards, 6" x 4" or 7" x 5" photos, or thank you cards from my customers. Again, these serve as teaching aids and help a customer see the technique, or materials (such as different kind of glass). My samples help customers with their design choices. My argument is that if they don't see it they don't know it's there!
On many an occasion a client has spotted something and said, "Can I have it like that?"
The framers I talk to often say they don't have time to make these. I get that. So I have been on something of a mission in the last few months - to tidy up my samples set. I'm boldly throwing away some of my older samples and working on a new set. That's mountboard chevrons, and small framed pieces.
I'll post a few examples here over the next few weeks.
I made this sample using a beautiful 6" x 4" post card by Jackie Morris (The original is in "The Lost Words" - Find her on Instagram). It's supposed to be an example for the workshop, but we love kingfishers and I love this little piece, so it made its way into the house - I'll have to make another sample!
