Greetings one and all. I've been following this site for a few years now, but never really had anything to contribute. Still not sure that I do, but I would appreciate a little feedback.
As a woodworker, I am primarily a box maker and it has been suggested to me that I develop a line of heirloom quality boxes that would display some smaller paintings or prints. The thought was that this might be another way for some to present their work.
The boxes I make are nothing like the craft store imports, but made from solid domestic hardwoods such as Walnut, Cherry, Maple, etc. The boxes could be custom made to fit most any size, but I would like to think that there are some standard sizes as well.
My primary question, is there value in such a product beyond one or two boxes here and there?
I'd rather not spend time refining something if those who might use it find it minimally useful.
Thank you.
Replies
Photos could also be laminated directly instead of covering them with acrylic or glass.
I don't know about the idea for less expensive or low-end boxes. It might work for you, but I'm afraid you'll be like a K-Mart or something and you might get disappointed with the return.
When the box becomes the artwork, that's when the price and interest in them goes up. Google heirloom box and then look at the images. You'll see more going on in them than as a presentation stage for an artwork.
You'd need to glass the lid for photographs, or use acrylic to protect the image.
There is acrylic over the picture.
I like the idea, but I'm afraid that very few people actually make prints anymore. Photography, aside from the pieces that hang on the wall, tends to be shared, not in physical form, but in digital form, on Instagram, Facebook, privately shared albums.
How much effort goes into making the boxes? for a set of 4x6 or 6x9 prints, what would the capacity be, and what would you sell them for?
Curious to hear what others might think...
Thanks Jim. The idea was given to me by a friend of mine who is a painter, and I figured it might also extend to photographers as well.
The box pictured contains one of my friend's paintings and is approximately 5x7. I have heard of other painters who use smaller canvases so it seemed like a reasonable idea.
The effort to make a box is approximately 1-2 hours of labor spread over two days, and these would sell for $35 - $60 depending on the wood selected and size. As I said, my thought was an alternate presentation method in addition to traditional frames.