I did it, made a picture frame that worked. I decided to just do this as a test and grabbed some scrap wood and started cutting. It didn’t take too long and here it is, my test picture frame:
Made this from some old 1x2s I had in the scrap pile.
It’s a small frame, 10×10 inches on the inside to fit a 10×10 oil paint canvas like this:
A canvas for oil painting.
And now the canvas in the frame:
Canvas in frame. Exciting!
Everyone has an old jar on their workbench. It just what woodworkers do.
Now here is how we clamp the frame up:
Square clamp.
I’ve bought a few of these and this one works out well. I am going to replace the wingnut with something else as you can see I needed my channel locks to tighten the clamp. There’s got to be a better way.
This frame was sanded and given to Heather. She’ll paint it and use it for one of her small pictures. I went through my wood pile and I’ll have to get some nicer wood in stock for my next frame. There is one more jig I want to make – more on that next week.
And now a little mystery for next few months. I just received this order of wood for my Christmas workshop plans:
Yes, it’s a pile of fancy hardwoods.
Yes, I plan on making all my Christmas gifts this year, plus I’ve got a couple of wedding gifts to make for the year. I know what you’re thinking, “It’s March on Tuesday, aren’t you leaving it a bit late?” Well, we’ll see.
It you need me – I’ll be in the shop,
Andrew
Andrew's View of the Week 
Have you (don’t know what to call it) done any interlocking word sculpture? When I get a chance to take a picture of the piece I’ll and email it. I’d like to have it duplicated it or something like it. I think you’ll like it. I might be able to get the plans. I’ll get it to you as soon as possible to see if it’s a challenge that you’d like to take on.
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I’d love to see it. Send it over.
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Couple days away
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I have a cousin who is an artist/painter. He always says the greatest expense is the framing. I’ll have to introduce him to this frame making gizmo clamp thingy, though it’s obvious that it doesn’t do the real work of creating for him, it might just inspire. Can’t believe you’re thinking about Christmas…lighting a match under the rest of our artistic arses you are 😉
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If you’re going to make presents for Christmas this year, you’d better start now. 😉
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Too much pressure to put on myself. Hoping to brush my hair tomorrow. Baby steps… ;D
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That’s great that you’re repurposing that scrap wood. The frame looks great. I’ve never seen a square clamp before. I’ve learned my thing for the day. Hooray! Thank you. Looking forward to seeing the Christmas presents come into being. Are you going to take pictures little by little and have us guess what they’re going to be?
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Yes, I’ll be doing progress pictures. I started a project this weekend that I won’t have done for a few weeks, so I’ll be doing a little mystery posting this week. I love the square clamp. I hadn’t heard of them until I decided to do picture frames.
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My birthday is October 31 (-:
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🙂 I’ll make a note. 🙂
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Great post and an interesting project.
Love those clamps.
Thank you.
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They are the best clamps.
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Nicely done frame. I’d love that for a wedding gift, but that ship has sales. Darn.
BTW. One of the houses I looked at in Preston has a woodworking studio in the basement. It was massive. I couldn’t help thinking of you.
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I want that house. I haven’t seen it but I want it. 😉
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A frame makes a good painting into an outstanding one. Heather will appreciate your work. I look forward to seeing some of Heather’s art in your frames…
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I am just hoping that my frames will be as good as her paintings.
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I’m sure they will be…
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I took an art class once. We had to make the frame, use canvas and gesso it to make it so it could be painted. I built a huge frame. I painted an eel in the ocean.
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I love doing art. More people should get into it.
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A lovely picture frame, well done!
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Thanks!
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The frame looks really nice Andrew. Up to your usual high standards.Now you have your hand in you’ll find them a lot easier to make so I expect a production line of quality wood frames of all sizes.
Hugs
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Thanks, I am planning my next framing project right now.
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What a great combo! You make the frames and Heather creates the art! Really nice. I did gulp just a little bit at even the mention of Christmas, but I have a few things I’d like to make this year and knowing it’s already March, I think your supply gathering should inspire me to do the same!
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Heather and I like doing art together. This is one way to do that. Frames can add to the painting. Yes, Christmas. If you’re going to make stuff, you have to start early as time can get away from you fast.
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Great post Andrew! Being a professional picture framer I can say the frame looks great – now grab a jar of gesso and I’ll show you how the gold leaf it.
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Not sure, I am ready for the gold leaf lesson just yet, but thanks!
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So cool.
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Thanks.
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Looks good. Now that you are making frames I guess I’ll start painting again. Have a great one – Aloha – pjs/
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You should paint. It would be good for you.
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It pays to plan ahead, Andrew. Nice looking frame, BTW.
Ω
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Thanks. A few years ago I wanted to make Christmas gifts, but started in September and didn’t get it all done.
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I can see that happening.
Ω
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Congratulations! I never fully appreciated how much precision it took to create a good frame.
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It takes a minute to explain the theory. Took about four hours to get it working in real life.
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phew, I was worried we readers were to be tested LOL Great job, great idea to make your gifts. My gifts are usually garden related; last year I bought and delivered and planted a tree for a couple getting married.
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Now that you mention it, the pile of wood will also make two wedding gifts.
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Planning for Christmas already?! That’s organised…I feel we’re barely out of the last one. Lovely frame and enjoy creating.
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I know it seems a bit late to get started. 😉
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It’s beautiful. I love its simplicity, Andrew.
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I do simple well.
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Pretty as a picture (frame).
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🙂
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