Tricks for Working with Framed Artwork

We all love art, but we only have so much money to spend on it, and only so many walls to hang it on. An easy solution lies as close as your local public library. Many libraries let you sign out framed art prints for up two or three months at a time free of charge. You'll have hundreds of prints to choose from so you'll always find something you like. And you'll be able to sample a new print in a few months before you have time to grow tired of the old one. It's a wonderful, inexpensive way to add variety and excitement to your decor.

Many times after we have had a picture for a while we want to do some minor changes to it, like changing the frame to match a new redecorating scheme or to better fit our changing tastes. There is a saying that a picture is worth a thousand words; surprisingly to many, most of these words are probably unprintable when you are struggling to pry a picture out of its frame. The next time that one of your pictures is stuck to the glass of its frame, don't get steamed. Reach for your steam iron instead, then set it to the highest setting and hold it close to the top of the glass. It will loosen the picture, and you'll be able to remove it with ease.

One tip to remember is to never spray water or a liquid cleanser directly on the glass that protects framed photographs, paintings, or prints. What you want to do is instead use a lightly dampened, clean cloth and rub it over the glass. This prevents any moisture from seeping under the glass and ruining your artwork.

One way to give your decorative items more of that high "wow" factor you might want is to "age" the prospective artwork instantly. It is real simple to give a new poster or print an antique look. First you want make sure that the picture or poster is not framed or under glass. Next, simply rub a damp tea bag over it. To uniquely arrange the newly antiqued pictures (or any other pictures for that matter) apothecary jars and other clear glass containers make decorative picture frames. To use them, just roll the picture slightly to get a curve and put it inside. By filling the jar with marbles, glass beads, shells, or other items the picture is held against the glass without getting damaged.