Woodworks by John

09/15/2026

Tabernacle Frame #291

I always enjoy it when I'm commissioned to make a Tabernacle frame, it's a different twist on frame making and allows a lot of creativity. To really get a sense of how the piece will turn out I like making a full size drawing first, to me that's much easier than having to scale something like a column that's 1 1/4" wide down to fit on a smaller scale....

I always enjoy it when I’m commissioned to make a Tabernacle frame, it’s a different twist on frame making and allows a lot of creativity. To really get a sense of how the piece will tu…

08/25/2026

Carving the Frame #290

This is the design that I will be talking about and sharing my technique with you. As with the majority of my work the frame is for a painting by my wife, Diane Eugster. I like to take inspiration from her work to do any carving, in this case there was a tree in her painting so leaves seemed appropriate. I want the frame to be contemporary and impressionistic so the carve needs to be subtle; not loud and gold leafed!...

This is the design that I will be talking about and sharing my technique with you. As with the majority of my work the frame is for a painting by my wife, Diane Eugster. I like to take inspiration …

06/02/2026

Furniture Maker Floater Frames Revisited

Quite a few years ago I began making floater style frames for my wife's work and wrote this blog post. Since then, I've made a number of them and my methods are different from most of the commercial floater frames available. My goal is to elevate the floater frame from its origin of lattice strips tacked to the sides of canvas to one that has more of a presence....

Quite a few years ago I began making floater style frames for my wife’s work and wrote this blog post. Since then, I’ve made a number of them and my methods are different from most of t…

03/18/2026

Here's my latest blog showing a new picture frame design -- enjoy!
https://woodworksbyjohn.com/2026/03/18/imitation-is-the-sincerest-form-of-flattery/

03/18/2026

Imitation is the Sincerest Form of Flattery

I'm betting that many of you have heard the phrase so that's why I'm using it for this blog. It's a phrase that has been attributed to many different people. This frame showed up on my Pinterest one day and it really appealed to me. It was originally from The Frame Blog which discussed Australian artists work from the late 1800's....

I’m betting that many of you have heard the phrase so that’s why I’m using it for this blog. It’s a phrase that has been attributed to many different people. This frame show…

02/14/2026

A bit of Whimsy and Milk Paint: Frame #280

Once Upon a Time Corner Detail Here's the most recent frame from my shop and it was fun to create so thought I'd share the story! It's oil on canvas measuring 12"x16" and by my wife, Diane Eugster. When I first saw it in her studio my mind went to a wood nymph; whatever that may be! This painting needed something other than a traditional black/gold frame, something more fun and maybe with a bit of whimsical carving to enhance it....

Once Upon a Time Corner Detail Here’s the most recent frame from my shop and it was fun to create so thought I’d share the story! It’s oil on canvas measuring 12″x16″ …