Okay so here it is Central Florida... My first official Blog.... Now I know it's technically the second blog uploaded to the website. But, if you look close enough, you will notice that the first blog (on Feb 28th) was actually uploaded by Murder City Photography - thank you Barry! So, stay with this blog, subscribe and follow along as I give pointers for framing. I will post pictures of frame examples and techniques. I will give pointers for hanging pictures, framing pictures, painting pictures, and taking pictures - and I will be sure to include pictures! So get ready Winter Park, Orlando, Fern Park, Baldwin Park, Maitland, Oviedo, Winter Springs, Casselberry, Lake Mary, Windermere, Metro West, heck, all of Central Florida, for the fun has just begun! For those of you brave enough to follow along... here is my "official" blog number one:
The Orlando Magic, Game-Worn, JJ Redick Autographed Basketball Jersey #7. I am very blessed to have been chosen to frame this unusual, rare sports memorabilia jersey from the Orlando Magic's June 9, 2009 (first ever Orlando Magic finals win) a home game against the Los Angeles Lakers. Corners specializes in unique framing requirements like this one and more notably, preservation, or conservation techniques ensuring this authentic, autographed jersey retains its value and becomes a cherished family heirloom. This jersey will certainly outlast any other item in my clients home.
The entire process began with the layout of the items to be framed. My client had a few concerns. His first concern was for the size of the finished piece. This client was personally at the game this jersey was worn and had his game tickets, and photos showing the match up of JJ Redick and Kobe Bryant. He wanted all the items to be in the frame, but was concerned the overall project would be too large. His other concern was showing the sewn in authenticity tag on the bottom of the jersey. He certainly wanted the autographed portion of the jersey to show, but also wanted the sewn in tag authenticating the jersey as game-worn to be visible too. His final concern was associating the jersey with JJ Redick.
The jersey was signed from the front. This was convenient since the authenticity tag was better viewed from the front, but the player's name is printed on the back of the Orlando Magic Jersey. So, if you are not up to date on the Orlando Magic team member numbers, you would have no idea that number seven belongs to JJ Redick. It was my goal to make the jersey stand out as an official Orlando Magic jersey, and more notably, the one belonging to JJ Redick - instant recognition. I also had include all important aspects, while paying careful attention to the overall dimensions - making sure it didn't exceed my clients allocated space.
For the colors of the overall piece, we chose to use a two tone look, a color I refer to as Orlando Magic blue and black suede. Suede mats are great for several reasons. The colors you get with a fabric wrapped mat are bolder than a typical mat. Suede mats in particular offer a unique texture to add visual interest to larger sections of mat. There is no darker, black mat on the market than a black suede.
The jersey is hand sewn to a bottom, blue mat. The black suede mat, featuring all of the openings for tickets, photos, etc., is raised above the blue mat. The multiple depths of the matting gives visual interest while ensuring the glass will not rest on, or touch, the sports jersey in particular. All of the mats chosen are archival, acid-free and lignin-free museum quality mats. The foam used to raise the top mat is also archival quality, and features MicroChamber® technology (made of synthetic zeolites that traps airborne pollutants) and further preserve this authentic memorabilia. Even the thread used to sew the jersey to the matboard is acid free, cotton thread and completely harmless to the fabric. One could literally cut the threads from the back of the matboard and this jersey would look exactly the same as the day it was taken to CORNERS.
The first step was to sew the jersey. This is done by hand, and careful attention is used to follow normal thread lines for a more natural look. After the jersey is sewn, the layout for the black suede top mat can begin. The jersey had to be sewn first. This is because the cutout for the top of the jersey was to mimic the curves of the jersey itself - so I had to have some sort of idea of that outline before anything else. The idea behind this jersey cutout design was to purposely create a "dead space" in the sleeves of the jersey (or where sleeves would be if a basketball jersey weren't sleeveless). "Dead space" is a term referring to a large area of mat without interruption of cutouts or items. I had plans for this space.
I suggested this particular design to balance out the photographs laid across the midsection of the jersey. By laying the photographs over the jersey, the overall size would be limited to the jersey height. The "dead space" in the jersey sleeves were to be filled with tickets on one side, and carved letters mimicking the back of the jersey on the other, to show the player's name and number. This effect worked flawlessly in my opinion, even if you 're not a follower of the Orlando Magic players. There is now no doubt to whom this jersey belonged to at a glance.
I added a small cutout of a silver mat under the number seven. This was done complimentary, and frankly, just because the number on the back of the jersey was outlined in black, silver, then blue and I like this look. Small details make a world of difference, wouldn't you agree?
Another concern of mine was the large quantity of space under the photos and to the left of the cutout for the authenticity tag. My client and I discussed bringing in a decal, photo, or large sticker to fill that space. Frankly, I just wanted to challenge myself and completely surprised my client with the cutout you see in the photos. The cutout is four layers of matboard deep. But this section could have just as easily been filled with a square cutout for a flat medium artwork or program.
The overall presentation of the jersey is now a tribute to the Orlando Magic's J.J. Redick, a completely preserved memorabilia, and a cherished autographed sports wall art! Go Magic!
Winter Park, Orlando, Fern Park, Baldwin Park, Maitland, Oviedo, Winter Springs, Casselberry, Lake Mary, Windermere, Metro West, Central Florida, Framing, Framed, Frames, Custom Picture Framing, Picture Framing, Picture Frames, Custom Framing, Custom Frames, Frame www.cornerscustompictureframing.com
The finished product was framed with Tru Vue Museum Glass for colorless, near invisible, protection. The glass protects from 99% UV - preventing fading. The glass also cuts down on glare. Another masterpiece by Corners Custom Picture Framing!
