(another post in the series Tips from Framers)

Everybody’s got art stashed away, collecting dust, waiting to be framed. Under the bed, way back there in the whatnot closet, down in the basement. Cool prints still rolled up in the shipping tubes they came in. Canvases bought at some funky little art fair you stopped by during that vacation in wine country, and you got that weird little painting because you were buzzed on the splendor of the vacation mindset, not to mention the wine. Remember that? No you don’t, do you?

And what about your busted frames? Or the crummy, cheap, outdated ones that you got when you were in college and poor and knew no better? Those need to be replaced.

And artists! You have to frame your stuff. Especially if you’re having a show or you’re displaying your work on your walls. Do it right. Show your craft some respect. Frame it!

Frame your art, people. Trust me. I know. I work part time at an excellent little art and framing store in the neighborhood, KC Arts on Court Street in Brooklyn. The framing staff there knows their stuff. So here we go with part four of Tips from Framers.

Lauren Rubin is not only a framing machine, but also a punk musician and an artist in her own right, a product designer and founder of the handmade jewelry company Schmutzerland. 

Her advice goes out to anyone framing paper pieces (including photos): UV-protective glass is your friend! Any good framer will offer you the option. Take it! According to the National Fenestration Rating Council, 40% of artwork fading is caused by UV radiation. You can control this with UV glass. And not, you know, putting your art right by a sunny window.

Invest in your art, your photos, your framed paper treasures: get UV-protective glass. Down the road, when your art is still crisp and clear, you’ll be glad you did.