Neat Things: Typedrawer Jewelry Displays

Recycling is good...upcycling is even better! I discovered these clever display boxes made from vintage typesetters boxes from Bluebird Heaven. I lean toward the dark stained wood since it shows the natural grain best but the painted versions are fun, too!

Series: Displaying Art and Photography - Inside Glass

Photo displays can be both fun and practical. Using everyday objects as photo frames can add an element of surprise and amusement. Look around your house for ideas and dream up something new and unexpected!

Use photos as labels or to hide the contents in a jar of dry goods.

Copy a photo and display in a covered vase to avoid humidity in the bath or kitchen.

Display a photo with a favorite object under glass in a collector's box.

Series: Displaying Art and Photography - Ribbon Display

Prior to the end of the nineteenth century, pictures were often displayed on a strip of ribbon hung from a picture rail. This DIY project gives a modern twist to achieve the same effect.



Creating a changeable display
4 framed pictures 1 small empty frame 1 large empty frame 5 ft shaker tape or canvas webbing upholstery tacks drapery hooks measuring tape hammer picture nails

This project uses Shaker tape, a heavy-duty canvas strip used to weave chair seats. You can find Shaker tape at craft, sewing, and upholstery stores. Resist the temptation to use ribbon as Shaker tape is stronger, and you can pierce it without causing it to tear and fray. You can change this display frequently, without making new holes in your wall: just lift off the pictures and move the hooks. Hang one, a matching pair, or several side by side to fill up your space.

Choosing frames
Frames change the way pictures look: dark frames make them appear more vibrant, and metallic frames are reflective and draw attention to their edges. Create a floating effect by placing a larger empty frame around a small framed image instead of using a mat.

1. Calculate the length of the display by arranging photos or art on the tape and measuring. Add 1 foot, cut the tape to that length, and finish off the bottom with a V-cut.



2. To create a decorative hanger, loop the tape through the small empty frame, curling the cut end beneath the loop. Secure the tape to the frame with drapery tacks.



3. Lay the tape and pictures on a table and use a tape measure to help evenly space the frames. Attach drapery hooks to the tape at measured intervals.



4. Hang the tape on the wall and position the frames on the drapery hooks. If a picture leans forward, staple the frame to the tape from the back.




Photo credits: David Matheson for Pottery Barn.

Series: Displaying Art and Photography - Canvas Wall Art

Artwork is an important part of decorating your home. Art sets the mood, adds an accent or functions well just because we like it. Art adds a finishing touch, and it can be the inspiration for a room design but how do you find the right piece of art for your room? Canvas wall art has become popular over the last few years and more people are purchasing or creating superb pieces for their homes.

What makes canvas wall art great is that it can be inexpensive to buy or make yourself but it still gives the appearance of an authentic piece. Choosing the right canvas wall art can be challenging but in a few easy steps you can find the perfect piece for your room.


Audrey - Ikea 20 x 20 canvas $70

Match your color scheme
The first step in choosing your canvas wall art is to look at your color scheme. The basic rule of thumb is to choose an art piece that will match your room without detracting from any design elements that are already in it. If you find that your design style is filled with cool sleek lines and neutral colors, then a canvas wall art that adds a touch of color to a room is a good choice. If your room is filled with color, then simple wall art with minimal color will provide a nice break in the room. When you go to purchase your canvas art, bring swatches of your room colors to help you find the right colors and to be sure that the colors of the room and art do not clash.

Match your artwork
As with all other pieces of art and photography, there is a wide range of styles. Landscapes, flowers, abstract and other designs can be found in canvas art so make sure that the theme in the picture does not clash with the theme in your room. A lighthouse landscape doesn't fit in a room with Asian decor and an oriental floral piece won't look right in a room with a nautical theme. Just because you like it doesn’t mean it will match your decor so save your money for the right one.


UP - Pfeiffer Photos 20 x 24 canvas $150*

Match your wall
The area where you will be hanging the artwork is an important part to choosing your canvas . First, take a tape measure and get the dimension of the space that needs art. With those dimensions, you will get a better idea of what you would like in a piece. Make sure that the canvas matches the size of the wall. A big mistake is to go off to the store and buy a piece that is too big or too small. Too big, it may not fit, too small, it may appear out of place in the room. You don't want your art just floating there in the middle of empty wall space. When you purchase a canvas--ready made or for a DIY project--bring your tape measure and wall measurements to get the best match.


Nothing Beats Homegrown - scent of rain designs

Choose your style
Styles differ depending on your room, your design, your budget and your taste. Before you purchase or create a canvas, you should know the style that you want. A large canvas can really be a statement piece in an area with a large open wall but it's not the only way to go. Panels are a can fill a room and break up a pattern just enough to bring the eye to the artwork. If you produce a piece of art in panels, it is important to use the right subject. Most landscapes don’t work well in panels but if you choose a landscaped piece, make sure that you use canvases side to side and not top to bottom. For larger canvas panels use the rule of three, especially if you are decorating a large wall space but it's okay to use more than three. Look at the art and decide the best way to showcase it.


Winter Forest Diptych - JK Photography

Make your own
The last thing to mention about choosing the right canvas wall art for your room is to make your own if you can’t find something you love. It's easy to make canvas wall art and if you like abstract art, anyone can create interesting and unique work with little effort. Photography can be made into canvas wall art and you can use your own images or work with a photographer to produce a canvas of their work to display in your space.


Creative canvas arrangement - grid on one wall, large solo opposite

Canvas wall art should reflect your design and character so you don't need to stay within the norm. Branch out, explore and don’t hesitate when you find a perfect piece of canvas art for your wall just use it!

This series shares fresh ways to look at your fine art and photography pieces and to inspire you to seek out more. Future posts will feature with ideas, how-tos and photos to push the traditional "frame-it-hang-it" aside and have more FUN in your space!


*Most images in our shop are available as canvas prints--upon request and as a special order. Visit the shop or contact me for more information.

Series: Photo and art display - Hang it up, clip it on

To create unique snapshot galleries try these simple ideas. Use toggle hooks from a boat or hunt down a postcard rack (check retail fixture supply shops or vintage venues) to create a flexible photo display that's easy to update every day.


click grid to enlarge

YOU WILL NEED:

Retractable clothesline--check your local hardware shop or find one online like this, this (in white), this (in chrome) or a vintage one like this. Want it even more inexpensive? Just hang string, twine or cord from screws, nails or pushpins.

Clothes pins--wood, plastic or metal, choose your favorite to fit your decor.

1. Choose your display space--a wall, a window frame, along the edge of a shelf, etc.

2. Install your clothesline or hang your string. If you can use nails on your chosen space they are the most sturdy option.

3. Hang your pictures using your clothes pins.

Note: Moisture, humidity and heat can all cause your photos to curl so keep your rotation of images fresh or consider printing on heavier photo paper or quality card stock. Color copies or lamination may work best for long-term displays.

This post is Part 2 in my new series about creative displays for photography & art. I am creating this series to share fresh ways to look at your fine art and fine art photography, how they can enhance your home (or office, etc), and to inspire you to seek out more. Please visit again for future posts with ideas, how-tos and plenty of photos to show you options beyond traditional framing methods that will add personality and fun in your space!

Photo credit (pics 2, 3 & 4) - David Matheson, copyright 2005.

Series: Photo and Art Display - Snapshot Solution

Snapshots tell stories. Our stories, others stories, random memories and moments frozen in time. When framed alone, they can be too small to capture attention. To give them more presence try this creative display idea.



Displaying photos by color

Grouping photos by color gives them visual unity (often not easy with 4x6 or 5x7 size prints), and it leaps outside of the traditional, "just-another-photo-getting-lost-on-my-wall" placement. If you've got more small prints (4x6, 5x7) than you know what to do with, this is a project you can put together in one afternoon.

Supplies:

2 poster frames, 22 x 28 in (56 x 71 cm)
Poster board or gator board (sold in art-supply stores)
Archival glue
Brayer
Measuring tape

A note about photo adhesives

Photo-safe adhesives include archival-quality photo corners, acid-free linen and paper tape, archival glue, and wheat and rice starch pasted hinges which are the best option for fragile, valuable images)

Do not use cellophane tape, rubber cement, or any hobby glue to adhere
photos to a backing as these will all damage photos over time.

How To:

1. Cover a table with newspaper and gather all your unused photo prints that have yet to find a home in an album or frame. Sort the images by dominant color, blue for sky and water, red for the flowers from your last summer garden, etc. Try to have a good mix of people, places and things in each color stack.

2. Create a rough layout on your poster (or gator) board, keeping in mind the depth of your poster frame. Layer the photos to "crop" out parts your are not as partial to and to highlight the more interesting features.

3. When the arrangement is to your liking, use the archival glue or tape to secure the images to the board. Roll the edges of all the prints with a brayer to ensure they are firmly in place.

4. Let dry overnight, then set your finished collage into the poster frame and measure from the frame to the wire (as shown), to determine placement on your wall.

Last week I posted a simple question in the community forum on Etsy: "Why don't YOU buy fine art photography?" The response was overwhelming! The answers were varied, and there were some that popped up multiple times in the course of the thread. Most were about display concerns (ease of install, lack of space), size of prints (larger is popular--who would have guessed?!), and issues with framing (what to use, how to do, how many to choose, etc.)

This post is PART ONE in my new series called Creative displays for photography & art. I am writing this series with the hope of sharing fresh ways to look at your fine art and fine art photography pieces and to inspire you to seek out more. Please visit again for future posts with ideas, how-tos and photos to push the traditional "frame-it-hang-it" aside and have more FUN in your space!

Photo credit: Matheson, David. "How To Images." Photographs. Moss, Samantha. Singapore: Weldon Owen, Inc., 2005, 38-41.

Pfeiffer Photos on Etsy Handmade Network

We were featured on the Etsy Handmade Network newsletter! They have a weekly feature where members can submit ideas for using everyday items as display props at art and craft shows. Our contribution was the item we used at our last event, the REDD shoe rack brought to us by the fine folks at Ikea. We found it works wonderful for holding our photo prints on our event table without a bit of adjustment or embellishment.

REDD BEFORE:

REDD AFTER:

You never know what you can find around your house (or at a store) that might work for your display needs...keep your eyes open and check it out!