From: Andy

Location: Fargo ND

Amateur or Pro: Amateur

Finish Used: The finish on the frame is a one coat shellac and a coat of polly. Some people said it didn’t need it just because it was a picture frame but I decided to add a little protection and also sheen.

Wood Species: Walnut and Cherry

Project Description:
I completed these frames (five) for gifts for my family members. It was my second build in my shop so I thought it was pretty ambitious. Anyways these frames are made out of cherry and walnut and are used to contrast each other throughout the frame.

I had a little movement with the glue up so a considerable amount of sanding needed to be done. The joints were just glued butt joints. I didn’t have a biscuit cutter or anything to help with alignment.

I have attached some photos of my Wood Whisperer inspired, Hall replicated, Greene & Greene designed frame. I actually finished it a while ago but didn’t have a chance to get the pics off my phone to email them to you. That is my family from left to right; Paige, Carolyn (my wife), Brie, me, & Xavier.

About 4 days before Christmas, I started making a nice little picture frame for a custom piece of art I had made up for Nicole. A gift for a special girl requires some special wood. So I pulled out my best sheets of curly maple veneer and a couple of sheets of home-sawn afzelia wood (thanks for link Logan!) that I received from David Marks. You may find it odd that I decided to use solid maple as the substrate for the frame. I thought this would be a fun experiment, and when the rabbets are cut in the back, there won’t be any unsightly ply to look at (not that it matters that much). Small projects like this are just a great place to experiment with techniques and materials you might not normally use. All the extra effort pays off in the end when the finish hits the wood. KABLAM!!!! The wood just comes to life!

And here are a few still shots of the frame. Its on a yellow wall which isn’t exactly the best background. Some day I will take it down and get some really nice shots.

I didn’t really cover the finishing method in depth, but its the same wiping varnish system I always use. Specifically, its the one outlined in my DVD, A Simple Varnish Finish.