Game-changing framing hacks for thrifted frames!

Artist here. I enjoyed this video, but I need to warn you not to leave masking tape on things, especially vintage or antique things. Masking tape is not acid free or archival, and it will damage that surface over time. There are archival tapes that you can use for framing that will not do this. Lineco is one company that sells these kinds of tapes. They cost a little more than masking tape but are well worth it.

When I buy framed art from thrift stores, garage sales or estate sales I take them completely apart, outside, when I get home. This is to prevent creepy crawling things from getting into my house. If things were stored somewhere before being put up for sale-you can have spiders, roach eggs, and even bed bugs. Usually the glass is filthy and it's much better to take the art out and glass out of the frame to clean, fix scratches, re-stain or paint. This is relaxing and fun to me and it's fun to see others do it as well! Came back to edit and add this-sometimes a frame is so beautiful, I have non-distortion mirror cut to fit in the frame. Happy art hunting y'all.

Artist and former picture framer here - paper media requires special care and a special environment in order for original work to not deteriorate in time. Paper is made by removing the lignin from wood pulp - this requires the use of acids that remain in the paper product. Over time these acids react with moisture in the air and begin to burn the paper. This is why paper yellows, browns, brittles and falls apart over time. The cheaper the paper, the higher the acid content (newsprint). So it's very important that works on paper be adhered by and surrounded by acid-free media - usually linen or cotton based mats, hinges and backing boards. If you look at the cut bevel of a mat board you can tell if it's paper or cotton due to the color of the fibers showing - a beige or tan fiber is paper and a cotton fiber is pure white. If you are repurposing an old paper mat board like shown here, seal the beveled cut edge with acrylic paint or lacquer - anything that will stop the acid from "breathing" onto the work. Just wrapping it in fabric won't be sufficient barrier. Over time the acid will eat the fabric as well. The cut edge is the most toxic part of the mat board. Ironically. Hope this helps.

Friendly tip… Invest in a roll of acid free tape. It hurt my heart to watch you stick blue painter’s tape on the back of your friend’s beautiful artwork! Over time, the adhesive in the painter’s tape will leave a yellow mark that can leech through the paper. I’m a former custom framer and have seen many tape mishaps.

Instead of buying glass at Lowe's try a local glass dealer. I have found they usually have spare glass on hand and can cut it to size for much cheaper. My last standard size glass 8x10 was $3 plus tax. The glass dealer I had even cleaned the glass and double checked my frame inset size. I have used them several times over the years. As a seller of window, table tops, etc, they always seem to have a spare piece laying around. If you don't want to tape off the glass to protect it from paint, try inserting card stock into the area between the glass and frame. Any old junk sales flyer will work too as the paper is generally heavy duty. Great job reusing and modifying the frames.

My mom was an antique dealer and kept frames and art pieces and married them to keep or to sell. She sometimes bought inexpensive frames solely for the glass so she could have inexpensive glass on hand. Sometimes she would find a piece with glass missing or broken and have just what she needed on hand.

I have several suggestions and cautions that will help you with your reframing projects. Iron the material first for a crisper, non-wrinkled surface and edges. Hang the material to make sure it is completely dry before using. You should let the glues or paints completely dry before enclosing the artwork. This will help avoid or delay mold growth. Try not to place tape directly on your artwork because the glues and resins in the tape can damage the art over time. Instead of taping directly on the artwork to hold it in place. If you must use tape use a neutral color or masking tape similar to the color to the art. You can get really low residue tape at art supply stores or your local hardware to anchor it. Tape resins can degrade and discolor over time and leach the color out of your pictures because these resins are volatiles, they will breakdown over time. There is a technique that creates corner which can hold the ary in place. Art stores sell a special tape or glue or envelope type corners or make your own corners or little pockets you can glue or tape to the matting to hold the artworks. After cleaning the glass it must dry throughly before replacing it in the frame. Don't spray the glass directly because the fluid will flow to the lowest point and collect. This can cause harm to the frame or the art. Instead lightly spray the cloth with the cleaner before using. If you can remove the glass from the frame even better. The wood, cardboard, and matting found in older frames are usually very dry. They tend to suck up any moisture like a sponge. If the matt gets the least bit wet, especially those with the darker colors, the colors will run. This information is all based on past experience. Things might have changed.

10:24 "Haaaa....are you art?" The most adorable thing ...and the way he/she glances at you. Precious. <3

There is archival double sided tape that can be used in place of painters tape. As for backing tape there is brown gum tape that is used in picture frames. Never keep any type of masking tape on any artwork, it turns yellow and will damage the artwork. Keep painters tape for the job it’s meant for like putting it on the glass before you paint the frame. If the art work has been glued down to the mat board try using a hair dryer to heat up the glue that way you can seperate them. Use chalk to dust over the glue once separated to stop it from sticking to anything else in the future.

I wear the thin vinyl gloves which ensures no fingerprints are on the inside....so you don't have to take it apart again! Good video. Reissuing art is a thrill to do. Thanks for showing how it's done.

LOL, Cheap Hobby Lobby frame. That's redundant. Also LOVE how often you mentioned Restore, the Habitat for Humanity shops. They are such a great cause, and a great resource so thanks for boosting them.

These look great in your house! One suggestion: use spray glue (on the front of the mat) to cover mat with fabric. Also, I second the suggestions about using archival/framer’s tape on your artwork—find it at Michael’s/Hobby Lobby. One other tip and I’ll shut up: for metal frames you only need to detach the bottom piece to slide the frame on and off the artwork and glass (this is how framers do it).

The picture with the animal on it: The back says it is Venice. The patron saint of Venice is St. Mark. In the picture St. Mark is represented by the lion with a halo around his head.

The small square picture at the beginning of the video depicts Venice, and the creature on the right is the lion of San Marco (Saint Mark's lion) the symbol of Venice.

I suggest keeping a retractable measuring tape with you when thrifting (the kind used for garments) when looking for frames. I also write down the measurements of art I have in my notes ap. This takes the guessing out of it. I have found the perfect frame for art so many times and it just took a little preplanning.

I liket o stick those little felt furniture slider discs on the back of my framed pictures (one on each corner); it protects the wall behind the picture from any scuffs if the frame should move.

I love the fabric matting! One tool I think anyone who likes to reframe things a lot I'd recommend is a framing staple gun. It shoots the little triangular tabs into the frame, and it makes framing everything so much easier. Also, a matte cutter, but good ones can be pricey. But custom matting can be easy, once you know the process and the math involved.

Great tutorial. As you likely know the Renaissance inspired artwork depicts St. Mark's Basilica in Venice. The artwork's animal is a lion, which is the symbol of St. Mark the Evangelist.

This is project is so similar to how I frame my art work. I found a numbered print at a store for a few dollars, then found a quarter sawn oak vintage frame for two bucks. It’s one of my favorite finds. I use fabric behind textiles that I’ve framed but I love the fabric covered mats. I’m always on the lookout for frames and art. I love your ideas and your eclectic collection of art.

Hi Andrew. Great job. on a side note, I have seen many other commenters on other YouTuber videos regarding Betterhelp. I don’t know the details but the FTC raised concerns over their privacy and data protection. Just informing whether you are aware of this. You and once said you would only like to take sponsorships for companies that are meaningful. Several YouTubers have been called out but are bound by long term contracts. No shade, just letting you know. Here to support you regardless 😊