Visit our new design gallery in Virginia

I love vintage photographs. Whether they are of my family, your family or people I never knew–I find it fascinating to glimpse into the past via the magic of light and silver on paper.

This one caught my eye last week because of the subject, but also because of its size,  so I had to bring it home with me from the local antique shop. It is a studio portrait and  the image size is 10.5 x 13.5 inches. It is stamped G.A. Werner, Marquette & Ishpeming, Mich. It is in its original frame, which has a hand-grained gesso surface with gold-colored bead trim, a bit worse for wear and tear, but a nice old frame nonetheless. The photo is in perfect condition.

Gibson Girl photograph

After researching the clothing and hair style, I feel that is was made around 1900-1910. The hair and clothing reflect the “Gibson Girl” style–the up-swept chignon, small-waisted taffeta dress with high lace collar, the pose and look of confidence all suggest that era. If it had been from a few years earlier, I think the dress sleeves would have been larger, as the gigot or leg-o-mutton style was common until the late 1800s, eventually becoming “puffy” on a grand scale. Also, corsets were to become less severe and constricting, giving way to a more natural silhouette by the time of the first World War. This is a dress that would be worn for daytime, as people commonly changed clothing for the various times of the day, and evening or dinner wear would have featured a lower neckline and more elegant fabrics.

The “tailor-made” suit became popular around this time as well. Rather than being made by a dress-maker, they were literally “tailor-made” and featured more masculine details and fabrics. Women were becoming more active in sports like cycling, tennis, shooting and motoring and their clothing reflected that change. Women’s clothing styles featured a narrower cut around 1910 and hemlines also began to inch upward.

I enjoy the vintage things that that I see in the shop because I’m able to take them apart for repairs and learn how things were done 100+ years ago. Because this photograph is still in its original frame, I decided to have a look in the back and replace any potentially damaging materials, give the glass a cleaning and add new hanging hardware.

The black dust cover at the back was crumbling, so I removed it, along with the wire that was barely attached. The tiny brad nails that were holding the picture and backing in place  look as if they are made by hand. I wonder about who put those nails in place and framed this lovely portrait over a hundred years ago.

The cardboard backing needs to be removed, as the acid formed by the breakdown of lignins in the wood pulp can potentially damage artwork. Even though this photo is mounted to a studio card that is also made from wood pulp, the photo remains in good condition. I will leave it mounted to this card, as an attempt to remove it could cause damage to the photograph.

A little history lesson for me on a Monday morning.

Just in time for the holiday season

My Christmas cactus decided to bloom last weekend, so I was greeted on Monday morning by an enormous number of deep pink flowers. The front window of the shop has perfect conditions for encouraging blooms. What a welcome blast of color! The days have been very cloudy and now that the trees have lost their leaves, things are looking very monochromatic up here in the north.

I attended a PPFA (Professional Picture Framers Assoc.) conference in St. Louis Park in October and one of the featured speakers was hosted at Superior Moulding Co. They are an incredibly nice group of people and always go out of their way to make sure their customers are happy. It’s nice to have a chance to meet with other framers and get inspiration from what they are doing. I got a chance to browse their moulding samples and visit with Scott K., my sales rep.

My small shop has limited display space, so I have to be selective about my samples. A new one that I added is “Prezio” from Superior Moulding Co. Featured in Bronze, Ivory, French Silver, Ivory and Dark Gold, it is a traditional carved wood moulding with nice chunky matching fillet (pictured). The two profiles include a carved style that matches the fillet and a distressed straight profile with contrasting lip.

Prezio fillets in (l to r) Black, Dark Gold, French Silver, Bronze and Soft Gold

What’s New This Month:

“Flax” is a new collection of linen frame liners in four up-to-date colors–Oyster, Sand, Pebble, and Black. Give your frames an elegant finished look with liners that are contemporary and sleek. These are not your mother’s linen liners!

Fine Edge will now be featuring more of the “Woods” collection from Designer Moulding, as well at their “Traditonals“, a tried and true collection of narrow carved woood mouldings that are just perfect for smaller artworks and stitchery. They are timeless!

Also from Designer Moulding–”Purity” collection featuring Cherry, Tuscany Olive, Birch, Birdseye Maple and Rosewood Veneers. These are gorgeous. The Traverse Birch Veneer is so unique–it will make you want to run out and find something to frame!

Also beginning this month:  Tru Vue Museum Glass Feeds America program. (www.feedingamerica.org) Fine Edge is participating in this program that will provide up to $25,000 in donations to Feeding America, the nation’s largest domestic hunger-relief charity.

Simply ask to see the Museum Glass display in the shop and match the display to the ones pictured on a scratch off-card. You can win $25, $50, $150, $250 or even $500. All redeemed non-Cash Prize winning cards will be matched by a $5 donation to Feeding America-providing at least 35 meals to those in need. Also, send in the card to be registered for one of 175 certificates good for a $150 discount at participating shops.  This program runs until Feb. 28, 2010.

Appointments outside regular business hours are always welcome!

“Puki” the 4th of July Goat visits Fine Edge.

This handsome fellow is owned by Terry Zeleznikar. His name is Puki, which Terry tells me is Finnish for goat. He is a Pygora, which is a Pygmy/Angora cross. His coat is sheared short in summer, but the breed is raised for it’s fleeces which are used for weaving, spinning and knitting. He has been dyed a festive blue for the occasion (with food coloring) and comes out to join in  the 4th of celebration by walking in the parade. He was calm and friendly, but doesn’t like to have his horns touched. He evetually rested his head againt my knee, which I took to mean he really likes me and wants to be the Fine Edge mascot.

Boundless Press Book Arts by Theresa Angelo

Andy Warhol meets Jerry Seinfeld in Boundless Press cards

Witty, pretty, and thought-provoking.  Boundless Press greeting cards combine great quotes with great images.

Fine Edge also carries Pomegrante Press and local artist-made cards.

Lynn brought in this silk on linen piece that her great-grandmother Lucy Griffith Woolsey stitched sometime before 1930. It had been folded and stored for many of its years, so there is damage on the folds. But this tells the story of its age, so I didn’t try to cover up the imperfections.

I mounted it on a linen-textured background board in a color that is close to the fabric color to minimizes the appearance of the the damage. It is framed with Larson-Juhl’s  Bolshoi moulding in Pink Slipper with a coordinating  fillet–that’s the tiny frame that fits inside the mat. The mat is silk textured Vintage Ruby from Bainbridge.  The piece is glazed with Tru Vue Museum glass for exceptional clarity and provides protection from UV light damage.  Outside measurements are ~ 27.5 inches square.  A lovely heirloom that will be enjoyed for years to come.

Mid-March is always madness in Minnesota.

Ghosts of garden past.

A little, or a lot, of snow; a thaw; some ice; maybe a few brave plants trying to poke their heads out after the long, dark winter; and of course, cabin fever.  March always seems like a hinge month to me–neither fish nor fowl. Skiing is just about done for, what with the melted, icy trails, but hiking isn’t possible yet either. Boots seem like overkill but you are bound to get your feet wet and cold in an icy puddle if you leave them at home. Heavy coat or spring jacket? Light gloves or hang on to those warm mittens for another week? What’s a northern dweller to do? We all go a little mad. A nod to the hares.

This is what is headed our way.

I start thinking about gardening and about cooking and eating outdoors. Yes, already. It is at least 6 weeks away, but you gotta dream. I know the garden will need compost and digging and rethinking. I know the hedge will need shaping and transplants will be waiting. We will want to try new recipes for grilled fish and veg and meats that can only be done justice over charcoal outdoors. I anticipate the warm summer air and sunsets watched from the comfort of a lawn chair, as insect-hungry birds swirl and chirp high above us. Ah, delicious on so many levels.

My friend Marilyn back in Grand Forks was a avid gardener and had one of the most optimistic views of March that was possible:  she loved March because in March we are as far from the coming winter as we can be. It takes a gardener to muster up that much positive thought! So I always think of her and her ferny, shady garden when I see my old fashioned pale purple iris stick their intrepid heads up and start off another short but glorious summer in the north. She had what my sister called “iris guilt” and couldn’t bear to throw out the thinnings, so I toted a big bucket full from my old garden in North Dakota and let them take root here along the garden wall. Bloom where you are planted. And count the days until the doors open and we head outside.

Before the remodel

I find it hard to believe that next month will mark a year since I opened Fine Edge. It has been one of the most challenging and satisfying experiences of my life. I just dig walking in the back door, switching on the lights and seeing the work waiting for me. Every piece presents a new thought, a new approach. Often it calls for research into best practices and conservation, and each piece challenges me to find a framing design that will show the art at its best.

I have met so many new friends offering an array of talent and expertise and positive support. The learning curve has been steep, but mentors are everywhere. My work is to always try to give something extra to make every job just a bit better. And what could be better than to make a cup of tea and crank up the music and just work? This work is good.

Ready to go.