DECORATIVE EMPLOYMENTS.

Observer, Volume 7, Issue 346, 25 July 1885, Page 4

DECORATIVE EMPLOYMENTS.

TO MAKE PICTURE FRAMES. Frames may be made of pine cones, leather, paper, cork, and shells. For the two last the ordinary tools will do, with the addition of a good pocket-knife or razor. What are termed 'wine' corks are best." Care should be taken to select those having a close and firm grain. The frame which is to serve as a ground work must be made of half -inch deal. If the frame is to be oval, it can be cut out with a fret saw, and the rebate worked out with a chisel and gouge ; or a thin piece of deal, with the inside of the oval half -inch larger, but with the same outside measurement as that of the frame, can be cut with a fret-saw, and screwed or glued on to the back of the frame. If the Oxford shape is preferred, let the rebate be brought to within £in. of the front of the frame to avoid giving it a heavy appearance. Firstly, see that your knife or razor has a very keen edge; now cut the cork (crosswise) into slices l-16in. thick, then square the slices. Koughen the face and sides of your frame with a rasp, so - that the glue may adhere more firmly. Now glue on your squares of cork -with strong, thin glue. After the glue has set, the irregularities of the surface must be regulated with your knife or razor until a smooth, even surface is obtained. • Now cut out the stems, fruit, and leaves of your design, and glue them oh piece by piece until the wl ole design has been built" up, taking care to make the joints fit as neatly and closely as possible. The edges of the leaves are serrated, and the stems of the foliage are left slightly rough, the veins of the leaves being cut in V-shape before being glued on. Give the corkwork two coats of varnish, and your frame is finished.

To make a shell frame, first make a plain deal Oxford frame, cover the surface and sides of this with strong glue, place the shells in position, and, while the glue is still soft, sprinkle the whole over with fine sand. This will make the shells look as if they were lying in a bed of sand. Another variety is to make a plain deal Oxford frame, and to add some of the old-fashioned 'paperrosette stars.' Glue these on to the surface of the frame as close together as you can. Now paint the whole over with some dark colour, and your xrame is complete. For velvet frames make an

oval frame of plain deal or millboard, and cover it with velvet or plush. Those who cant do leather work can make a very pretty frame by gluing the flowers, leaves, &c, on to an ordinary deal frame, and painting the whole, or only the woodwork, with some dark colour. Leather foliage, &c, looks lovely when fixed on to an oval frame covered with dark crimson velvet as above.