This is one of two Greene & Greene-inspired projects we’ll be posting this week. This beautiful frame is from Clark. Let’s check it out:
The inspiration for the frame was borne directly from Darrell Peart’s website (The frame is a gift to my wife). I intended to duplicate his frame (on a much smaller scale) for this project but decided upon a continual radius for the bottom rail. All frame joints are mortise and tenon with solid Ebony plugs. The smaller ebony plugs on the face are simply glued in place. The finish is 7 parts green dye stain (GF) : 4 parts medium brown dye stain (General Finishes) with 7 coats of General Finishes semi-gloss Arm-R-Seal Topcoat and finalized with Renaissance Wax.
The most enjoyable aspect of the project was the fabrication of the panel as I had just built a vacuum press (using the plans provided by Joewoodworker.com). Building the press was an entirely separate but equally enjoyable endeavor (more of that some other day, though). I found the sheets of veneer via an online website and was immediately taken by the Maple quilted crotch pattern. This was my first attempt at jointing and applying a veneer to a substrate via the press so the process was a little more time consuming than was probably necessary. Though I had difficulty exacting the joint I think the result was certainly acceptable. I used 1/4″ MDF as the substrate and Better Bondâ„¢ Veneer Glue (also purchased from Joewoodworker.com).
13 Responses to “Greene & Greene Frame – Viewer Project”
Very sweet.
I always like a project that either allows me to use or requires me to build new tools.
Beautiful work Clark!!
I especially like the maple veneer. Thanks for the links as well. I was just checking out Darrell Pearts site and have already come up with a few ideas.
Larry
Great project, Clark! Thanks for sharing it. And Marc, thanks for sharing these Greene & Greene viewer projects. I really like the style. One view project in particular has inspired my own Greene & Greene style project.
Very nice looking frame, Clark. Quilted maple is one of my favorite woods.
Questions: Did you buy a kit or just the plans from JoeWoodworker.com? Was it a worthwhile experience building your own vacuum press? or knowing what you know now, would you buy one already assembled?
I have been looking at their kits for sometime now and would eventually like to purchase one and build my own vacuum press.
Thanks for all the comments…It was a really fun project.
Dennis,
I used the plans that are provided for free on joewoodworker.com and I purchased the necessary materials directly from the same site. The project was completed in about 1 hour and I enjoyed every moment of it because it involved woodworking, plumbing and electrical. I would recommend it to anyone who has an interest in veneering at a reasonable cost…
Hi Clark — The frame turned out great!
….Darrell
Thanks, Darrell, for your inspiration…
Clark –
Nice work on the frame. I have also been looking at building my own vacuum press from the ‘joewoodworker’ site and I’m glad to hear that it was an enjoyable build as well as rewarding in the use for your frame as well. The maple crotch veneer is fantastic.
Nicely done!
Bryan
Hello Clark –
This frame is… BEAUTIFUL! :) Your spouse is a lucky lady.
OK! Now here I go opening my mouth and removing all doubt about what an idiot I am …. What is this gorgeous frame designed to do? Is it some sort of decorative room partition or area divider> (Sorry for the ignorance guys, will someone please educate me….)
Good question, BoredCutter. The small maple crotch veneer was too beautiful (reminded me of ripples in water at sunset)to pass on so I purchased it with no idea what I was to do with it. I concluded that it needed to be on display like other works of art. It was only natural that I would place it in a frame. I wanted the frame to be bold enough to initially attract one’s attention which would then be refocused on the more intricate pattern of the maple. I have it hanging in a bedroom just above a writing desk. Thanks for your interest…
Clark
Great Veneer job! I really like the color contrast in the woods.
Beautifully executed. Even though you could have put other things in the frame area, I really like the quilted maple you chose. Very enjoyable to look at.
Very nice Clark!
I love the use of contrasting woods.