What is commonplace today as a framing option for contemporary artists first made its appearance on the fine art scene in the mid twentieth century. The canvas floater frame transitioned  from the Platform Frame as seen around this work by Stuart Davis in the Wadsworth Athenaeum in Hartford, Connecticut 

Stuart Davis with Platform frame

 From the Platform Frame of the 1940s we see the rise of the use of linen liners with thin outer frames such as this Robert LaHotan oil on canvas recently on view at the Portland (Maine) Museum of Art.  

Landscape by Robert LaHotan (1927-2002)

    Around the same time that artists began using canvas floater frames, they also used thin strips of strapping to edge  canvasses. Sometimes painted, sometimes left natural–this option was chosen by some mid-century artists out of a need to economise and more often as a deliberate effort to go against the pretension of using large or ornate frames. 

This is an example of an elegant version of a strapping frame made by gilder and artist James Fitzgerald(1899-1971) for his painting,"Frank Pierce, 1968" This frame is in 22karat gold leaf on red clay

The welded aluminum floater frame was one of the first to become commonly used by mid-century artists looking for a canvas floater frame which gave the visual space between the painting and the frame they got with the linen liner, but without the distraction of fabric or color.  Here again is an image taken at the Portland (Maine) Museum of Art of an early welded aluminum floater frame. 

John Heliker (1909-2000) Maine Kitchen 1965

 Side note:  Here is a link to an interesting article on another weblog about the developer of the aluminum sectional frame.  Many think  that Robert Kulicke and his partner were the ones responsible, but as it turns out, Donald P.  Herbert  holds the first patents.  

 Today artists have an unlimited selection of finishes to choose from for their paintings.  A Street Frames in Boston offers welded steel floater frames.  Small Corporation in Western Massachusetts offers welded aluminum and steel floater frames. 

And then there’s my business, Artifacts, which offers a seemingly endless variation of canvas floater frames. Most of our frame profiles can be converted to become a canvas floater frame.   I write this shameless bit of self-promotion because we have served so many artists and designers with so many unique floater frames I thought it would be great to share some of the selections as food for the imagination.  The simple “L” shaped floater frame design itself can be finished in natural or stained wood.  The face can be gilded and the shadows and sides can be painted or stained.  These simple yet elegant designs really make a painting stand out.   

   I refer to standard size floater frames for canvasses which are on stretchers 3/4”  inch thick and to heavy-duty floater frames for canvasses which are on stretchers 1 1/2” thick.  We make all our frames from scratch, milled and finished in our Farmingdale, Maine workshop using traditional gilding and finishing techniques.  Our painted finishes are in either Japan colors, Old Village Latex or Milk paint finishes.  Our stained finishes use aniline dyes.  For natural wood finishes we use domestic woods only; ash, walnut, oak, cherry, maple for example.    Sometimes the actual thickness of  paintings vary, so we like to measure each painting—some stretchers are custom-made and do not match the standard or heavy-duty depths  I listed above.  Some artists paint on masonite or birch plywood panels.  We either float them as they are or we cradle them with strainers we build to match.  An image below of a painting by Nicole Duennebier is an example of how we float a painting which is not cradled but is painted on 1/4” thick masonite.  

2'' wide cove floater frame in antiqued aluminum leaf

heavy duty canvas floater frame in a deep mahogany stain

 

painting on 1/4” masonite panel by Nicole Duennebier framed in a float. Frame style is a wide Tray with gold metal leaf on the outer height and painted a raw umber mixed to match the palette

This is a Hicks corner frame in white we built as a floater for this painting on a sheet of aluminum

 

heavy duty canvas stretcher floater frame in aluminum leaf toned to a warm finish. The sides were painted a seafoam green to harmonize with the painting by Matt Welch

Our A-Mod antiqued gold metal leaf frame converted into a deep canvas floater frame

 

Reverse swan floater frame in antiqued gold metal leaf

 

antiqued gold metal leaf with black sides around a standard depth canvas

 

Our canvas floater for standard depth canvasses finished in an antiqued aluminum leaf with black sides

 

 

 

     Many architectural firms have in-house interior designers who work with clients to complete a home renovation project.  We were called upon to make a custom sized medicine cabinet for a client of Van Dam Architects in Portland, Maine, and I would like to share with you the process:

     The client was renovating a late Victorian home to include modern updates to the kitchen and bathrooms.  Their goal was to add modern design elements within the  vintage interior.  They were keeping the fireplaces and woodwork original to the house, but wanted to have a blend of contemporary and antique options in the new interior design. 

     To work with the bathroom fixtures, the new backsplash tiles, and the accessories in the room, the client and designer chose a frame with a warm nickle finish to harmonize with the other color options. 

     I developed this warm nickle finish several years ago while framing a painting by the artist Helen Nicolay.  It is a lovely warm finish which brings out the warm side of silver or aluminum leaf while not becoming too gold.

     This frame used composition ornament for the patterning.  We first milled and joined the frame to the exact specs on the architectural rendering.  We even went to the site to check the measurements and to examine the distance the frame would be set above the sink hardware.  It would be a real set back to build a medicine cabinet that you couldn’t open because it was set too close to the faucet!  We built the face frame and the back frame at the same time.  The back frame had to have enough width to be screwed into the casing which was inset into the wall.  We routed out the left side of the frame along the vertical for the piano hinge which would be installed for the  cabinet. 

Steaming the composition ornament

The gadrooning pattern for the outer edge of the frame was placed on the frame beginning at the center of each rail and running in both directions from this point.  This is a nice option to have as it makes a frame completely custom in design and execution.  We had to mark the center points and, once steamed, layed the pattern accurately in both directions, going back after the ornament set up to form center designs in epoxy to match the  gadrooning pattern.

Frame detail for before and after gilding

     To give the frame a solid metal look, we applied two layers of aluminum leaf before we began toning it.  As this medicine cabinet face was going to be installed in a bathroom, we made certain to allow ample time for drying at each stage of the process.  To have the ornament still in a plastic state before gilding could result in mould formation in a humid bathroom environment.

The mirror installed in the workshop, ready to be installed in the home

We delivered the medicine cabinet face to the job site.  The General Contractor/builder Ray Keith Carpentry was there ready to install!  The client was very pleased with the result.  The  magnetic catch we installed works perfectly and, as you can see, it is a great accent piece in an updated setting

The medicine cabinet face installed and in use!

This ring was a special piece to be part of. The concept behind the design is freedom of spirit and new beginnings. Waves and Wind were the first elements I thought of when starting to sketch. There was also the addition of 3 beautiful diamonds from Israel that needed to be incorporated. From sketch, to wax, to final product, the “wave” ring (as it became known in the shop) is now on the finger of one very deserving woman.

I’m pleased with the final product and most importantly, the lovely lady wearing it is too!

We are proud to carry Spark Creations at Ringmaster Jewelers, located in beautiful Reynolda Village in Winston-Salem, NC.

For more information, visit: http://www.sparkcreations.com/

Visit our website at www.RingmasterJewelers.com.

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11/20/2009

I don’t know where to begin with CARDS AND POCKETS!
They are amazing they took alot of stress off my shoulders; when I could not find the right color to match for what I wanted I turned to them and they made the color for me. When I was freaking out because I wasn’t a 100% about the color, Bonnie in special projects was my saving grace. She brought me back down and told me she would help me so I could be happy with what I was sending out. I sent her pictures of my color scheme and they came up with so many items it was hard to choose. I used the patterned paper in multiple different areas of my wedding because it was so BEAUTIFUL!!! It would not have been this perfect if it wasn’t for CARDS AND POCKETS!

I really am trying to find something else to incorporate the colored patterned paper into I LOVE IT so much
You would be a fool not to use them for your project!

Thanks!

(to read this review and dozens more on Project Wedding, click here.)

We’ve been busy putting together samples for you to choose from following your holiday family sessions.  These are by no means the only choices, the possibilities are endless!  But here are some previews…

If you customize your software program to better manage your business, you’ll pay more than off-the-shelf software.  If you want custom wheels on your car, it’s usually more than the standard aluminum. So, it isn’t a far stretch to realize that custom jewelry can cost more than a similar piece out of the showcase.

Hey, don’t those custom wheels seem to deliver a special ride?  And don’t you get a special feeling every time you drive the car?  It’s all about the good vibrations and frequent stares you get from friends and strangers. This happens with jewelry too!

Perhaps the gemstones in the piece were handed down from a loved one – your grandmother or aunt. Although the original piece wasn’t a style that you enjoyed, you can now enjoy the memories of the past, present, and future.  That’s a good feeling.

The quality of the artist designing and making your custom piece of jewelry will be reflected in the cost – but it will be worth it for years to come. Take the time to shop around – ask to see other finished jewelry – or ask a friend for a referral. Your custom wheels can be worn around your finger, your wrist, or your neck!   …Dii

Yes, rubber is another sustainable product that is big in resilient flooring industry. We will talk about recycled rubber products at a later time. Let us look at “Au Natural” today.

Au Natural from Allstate is a 100% natural (not a synthetic) product. This rubber comes directly from their rubber tree plantation and not from petroleum. One thing I like about rubber flooring is that it is really warm and soft to touch. It is a great product for public areas like gyms, club locker rooms, high traffic lobbies and hallways.

You can have custom designs for your rubber floors!

Allstate products come in a variety of solid, marble and confetti style colors. You can even get a flooring product made in your own custom color! Depending on the usage you can choose one of their 26 texture patterns.

Allstate provides cove bases and corners in 50 coordinating colors. Custom stair nosing and stair treads are available too.

These products are installed using the specified adhesives and do not have to be sealed after installation.

Check this site out for their color choices:

http://www.muchocolors.com/index.html

Their “Allsport” product comes in easy to install 25″x25″ interlocking tiles. These are lightly textured to provide friction underfoot. The cushioning that comes natural to rubber products works well for sports facilities.

“Allkit” is another product which is ideal for indoor and outdoor exhibitions. These are thicker interlocking tiles with self-draining base, perfect for corporate events and roadshows.

If you are looking for a Green flooring product for non-residential use, give Au Natural a thought.

From Ricky,

Could I possibly find another art form in which control is more evident and necessary? Bending miniscule wires to separate color areas. The careful application of tiny grains of enamel powder, and then the short, intense firing required to melt the colors. The repeated application and firing of thin layers until the height of the cloisonné wires is reached. Incredibly small yet carefully cut pieces of thin gold and silver foils layered in just the right spot to provide pattern and texture. And finally, the meticulous process of polishing the enamel surface so that all of my attention to detail can be seen in all it’s splendor. Was my work obsessive? One of my students referred to the process as mosquito surgery.

For more info: http://www.rickyfrank.com/

We are proud to carry Ricky Frank Enamels at Ringmaster Jewelers, located in beautiful Reynolda Village in Winston-Salem, NC.

Visit our website at www.RingmasterJewelers.com.

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As the days get colder, we start to think about the upcoming holiday season; a time to reach out to family and friends.  One of the best ways to do this (the old fashioned way) is through personalized holiday cards.

Here at Peak, we’re excited to offer an array of seasonal designs with options for photos, seasonal graphics, fun fonts and much more!   Take a look at our many offerings through Carlson Craft.

If you don’t see exactly what you want, we’ll design something especially for you!

P.S. – Holiday cards in general are a great way to send thanks to guests who attended your wedding or also slip in a little save the date reminder!

100 years of beauty without compromise, of history steeped in tradition, of diamonds that are never ordinarywhen they can be extraordinary. One hundred years of jewelry worthy of the family name.

View Pictures of Celebrities Wearing Kwiat!

For more, visit: Kwiat.com

We are proud to carry Kwiat at Ringmaster Jewelers, located in beautiful Reynolda Village in Winston-Salem, NC.

Visit our website at www.RingmasterJewelers.com.

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I recently designed this Logo for my friend Rhonda.  She is starting her own business working out of her home doing Cooking Classes and Event Planning.

I drew the girl “Rhonda” in Adobe Illustrator and enhanced it in Adobe Photoshop.  The business card was designed in Photoshop as well.

Below are my latest Ad Designs for Tanya B Boutique. All ads were created in Adobe Photoshop. This boutique is a high-end store in California with two locations. I’ve been designing for Laurie, the owner, since our Corporate days at Donnelley Directory.

I created her entire Boutique ID: Logo design, stationery, hang tags, signage and continue with all the Marketing pieces.

Laurie’s business has been successful due to her eye for fashion, style and her marketing experience! She knows advertising works!

Below are a few samples…..

This past weekend our new living room furniture arrived.  Well most of it anyway.  John’s chair-and-half with matching ottoman will be in at the end of the month.  But the sofa and loveseat arrived.  It’s amazing how the family room completely changed with the new colors.  It’s been more than 7 years since we bought our previous furniture and I was tired of the color scheme.

We spent several months hunting far and wide for just the right look, fabric, size etc.  When I found this one the only thing I wasn’t crazy about were the contrast pillow fabrics and the amount of pillows.  But that is easily changed by recovering the pillows in the fabrics of my choice and moving some of the excess pillows to the box window in the kitchen.

I was even more thrilled to see how the colors were further complimented by the Fall decorations I brought out.  Next project are the curtains.  I have a roll of fabric matching one of the pillows to work on soon.

Jewelry designer, artist and craftsman, possesses a talent for creating original, contemporary jewelry that dazzles with diamonds. Jose Hess is a driving force on the international design circuit.

Master goldsmith, designer and gemologist, Hess’ roots and career path portray an artist and entrepreneur whose vision, sense of style and quality standards continue to keep him in the forefront of American jewelry design.

A leader and active proponent of American jewelry design, Hess concentrates in creating popular branded collections.

Visit our website at www.RingmasterJewelers.com.

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Just working on coming up with some solid designs. I need time!!!  An hour a night just isn’t cutting it. Here are a few examples based on the designs that are striking my fancy (today). I am working on at least 3 more. Also, i am working on color combo options. Those will be posted soon!

Keep in mind that I do custom cards as well! I am working on a “monkey” card for a friends little one. I am more than happy to customize a set for you. Just let me know your needs!

The Mazza family’s involvement with the jewelry industry dates back almost two centuries. Starting in the 1840’s the Mazza family worked with coral, which they harvested and  hand carved in Italy. At the turn of the century Louis Mazza left Europe to import gems and Mazza carvings to the United States. In the years from 1950 to 1960 his four sons joined the business as it expanded. The third son, William, worked closely  with the major designers, honing his own creative skills, and in 1970 produced his first collection for I. Magnum & Co. and Bergdorf Goodman under the Mazza name.

Today William Mazza and his three sons own W & B Mazza and Sons, Inc., located in Baldwin, New York. Practicing fine jewelry techniques passed from generation to generation, William Mazza continues to create his unique collections using hand carved gemstones in the family tradition. W & B Mazza, the formerly unknown supplier of gemstones for famous jewelry houses such as David Webb, Inc., Van Cleef & Arpels, Tiffany & Co. and Cartier, Inc. has now emerged as a leading creator of 14kt and 18kt fashion jewelry.

The collection is represented in the finest independent stores throughout the nation and is carried in leading department stores including Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue and Bloomingdale’s. International distribution spans from Mexico to Canada and the Caribbean.

The Mazza company continues to broaden its designs as shown on our site. All collections will reflect Mazza’s commitment to contemporary design while holding fast to the tradition of the Italian masters.

Visit our website at www.RingmasterJewelers.com.

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From mermaids to Marie Antoinette, my mannequins encompass themes and styles that charm and surprise.
I design by whim but often indulge yours too and can create something to suit decor from fantasy to conservative stylings.
(Click a tab above the header to navigate the site)

My first project since the move! Our kitchen drawer for utensils measures 8.5″ wide. Fact: There are no utensil trays less than 9″ wide in Vancouver retail stores. The closest thing that I could find were those 3″ wide trays that you can piece together, but only 2 can fit into that drawer side-by-side which does not maximize the space efficiently.

The move resulted in the access to tons of cardboard boxes. So I taped and glued cardboard together, then covered it with kitchen drawer liner. It was a snug fit!

Materials: cardboard, drawer liner

I’m a fan of Tim Burton – and when I happened upon this amazing dress on Etsy, I immediately hearted it…

Created by Steph – the Deconstructress – she specializes in Custom Costume Couture.  Her gowns are created from scratch, or ‘deconstructed’ from existing wedding dresses, hand-painted and inspired by art, literature, film, music and nature.  Truly ‘wearable art’.

New designs are added each September, and Steph is also working on a new line of one-of-a-kind Formal Wear.

Based on Tim Burton's Corpse Bride

: : : : : : : : : : :

The desire to own sterling silver jewelry that mirrored the same fine jewelry quality and craftsmanship of gold jewelry, led sisters Heath and Landon Slane to create what they could not find in the world of designer jewelry. Heath’s background in fashion and photography and Landon’s in film and television introduced an unusual combination of talents and insights to the world of jewelry design. The sisters’ diverse aesthetic sensibility and lifestyle influences (Heath lives in Los Angeles and Landon lives in New York) as well as their love of exotic travel, added to the formation of a distinctive signature style. Their design inspiration is rooted in classic architecture, mythology, a love of animals and spiritual influences. Twenty-five collections and various line extensions over fourteen years of design have found appreciative audiences and devoted collectors throughout the United States and Canada.

It took Heath and Landon two years to find manufacturers who both understood their vision and who had the expertise to realize it.  Today, each Slane & Slane design is manufactured and finished in the heart of the American jewelry manufacturing center, New York, where Heath and Landon can maintain control of the quality and the distinctive finish.  Using the lost wax casting method, each Slane & Slane design is cast by hand and finished by hand.  The resulting artisan look is one of the most distinguishing and coveted characteristics of each Slane & Slane design.

To learn more, visit: SlaneandSlane.com!

At Ringmaster Jewelers, we’re excited to offer you custom designs by Slane & Slane!

To learn more, visit www.RingmasterJewelers.com.

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Custom Baby Qee Kitty.

Shy Devy does not like to look at other toys, sadly…

Ringmaster Jewelers in Winston-Salem, NC was founded by expert goldsmiths. When it’s time for THE diamond ring, visit us in Historic Reynolda Village in Winston-Salem.

Once you enter our door you will notice what we call “Celebrate your Love.” Our friendly staff includes experts in gemology, jewelry design and craftsmanship, watch making and hand engraving. We are committed to providing you with personal service and a luxurious shopping experience.

To learn more, visit www.RingmasterJewelers.com.

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So every once in a while I poke around on deviantART. Usually when I’ve run out of all the rest of the internet, but I still secretly like the site despite its excessive amounts of poorly drawn fan art. This morning I woke up and stumbled on this 22yo girl located in Germany called Bobsmade.

It’s actually a custom clothing label stationed in Erfurter, Germany. It takes things like shoes, headphones and bags and customizes the designs you want right onto the product you’ve chosen. She only works on one product a day and each piece is just for you. Though I’m sure you can ask for a design thats already been done before. A fairly simple idea done very well.

After finding the deviantART page I was linked to the actual website, bobsmade.com. deviantART will show you the works in higher detail but at the website you’ll be able to actually order stuff. It caught my attention so I’m sharing it all with you.

More pictures and info under the cut

Her work is done in this really funky Japanese-like style that reminds me a lot of Kidrobot, which I know the SickDamage crew are fans of. Heavy dark and simple lines pumped up with vibrant colors, all things that are good. What impresses me most is the amount of detail given yet still remaining fairly simple. There are also masculine and feminine designs, though most are ambiguous.

Here are my two favorites: