Beautiful paintings! As mtn said, the framer can adjust the mat to make them look the same size. I have saved money on framing by using American Frame to build the frame and then I take it to Hobby Lobby (I know - but my local store does a good job with this so I make an exception) and then they will do the mats, glass and assembly. I have also brought them vintage frames to repurpose with new art. I have been very happy with the price and results in both cases. Of couse, I think this would likely be a bit easier if you were doing two frames.

Looking forward to seeing how they turn out!

I used Hobby Lobby in Florida. It is fine but just not an upscale look. And, not too many choices.

Ruby, I’ll look at American Frame and Michaels.

I'm going to get all the options and I’ll let you know.

I've generally been happy with Michael's in the past but it's been awhile. It really depends on the size and the type of frame you like. Of course, I tend to like the highest tier price on frames lol.

These are small so they should not be expensive. Use their coupons!

I’m trying to frame an antique needlepoint. 10”x 11”. At picture frames dot com it was just under $100 for the least expensive wood frame.

Hallett. These are tricky. I like the idea of framing them together because than I think I can get a wider frame.

Maybe I could do very wide matte if I go for 2 frames.

If you check out American Frame, take a look at their Econo-wood series. I have used both of these and I think they are very nice.

https://www.americanframe.com/slim-black-with-gold-lip-wood-picture-frame

https://www.americanframe.com/slim-antiqued-silver-leaf-wood-picture-frame (also gold)

This is the silver I used on one project and it has a gold-ish tone in it. Kinda like a "gilver".

If you choose to use Michael’s, download the app, sign up for email, and watch for sales.

Consider looking for vintage frames. Even if they have to be resized, you might find something that has a better character than modern, farmhouse and ornate options I saw last time I was looking at framing options I would also look at framing them individually even if you hang them as a pair. They are so different in composition and color that they don't really look like they belong in the same frame to me. I have done a lot of framing at Michael's but it's been a while. I definitely recommend waiting for a sale if necessary as well as looking for ready made or vintage options.

Lascatx, interesting. I see them as similar enough but I will keep that in mind.

eld6161 I go to a frame and art shop in your town... I wonder if it's the same one. If so, they do such a nice job its worth a few extra $$$. No idea how much it would cost to do what you want, but their suggestions are so good. I had them do a huge piece a while back and I was fearing an astronomical price, and while it was not cheap, it was significantly below what other shops had charged me in the past for significantly less of a frame.

Those are really cool ! I have great success shopping for frames at consignment stores, OfferUp, FB, etc. Mats are inexpensive at Michaels. Because the pictures are different, you CAN adjust the size by simply covering more of one of them with the mat. If you are trying to save $$, it is possible to do this with a little effort and very inexpensively.

^^^ what sas95 says. I was moving some artwork around and really for the first time noticed the vast range in quality of my frames. I have everything from re-purposed thrift, rub n buff inexpensive new, Michaels custom, and then true professional framing. The difference is pronounced in terms of quality of materials, a frame and mat that enhance the art, and also the longevity of the work. There is no way I could afford to do that with everything I have in frames but if it's something I truly love and value, I'd put the money into professional framing. Good framing is craft that requires skill but good frame choice is an art in itself. I make decent frame choices - I am appreciating anew the choices made by the framer I used for many years and how he steered me in the right direction for the work.

^^^^^^Yes, to SAS and DLM. If you have a good art and framing shop I would take them there and get their advice on how to frame. Their help with selection of frames and matting, their professional advice and their workmanship is usually money well spent.

I have these antique Persian miniature paintings (I think they are on bone tiles) grouped together on a black background. You could have your paintings mounted like this. I bought this as is at an auction so don’t have details about the framing process, but I like the way it looks.

These are not matted, but instead floated on a black background.

I would get them framed separately.

Last year I spent a crazy amount on framing, but I had 11 pieces and some quite large. I visited 4 frame shops in my local area, chatted with the owner, looked at the frames they offered, and inspected some of the work they had done and were waiting to be picked up. The shop I picked definitely stood out from the others.

I had 2 Indian silks, slightly different size and framed them separately. Many times I don't use mats, but add a Fillet piece inside the frame.

Leather frame and fillet.

Antiqued wood frame and fillet.

Bamboo-look frame with mat and fillet for a Japanese block print.

This would be about 400-500 at my framer who is slightly less than the two in my immediate vicinity. It might be a bit cheaper at mine to do two smaller pieces.

Really it is frequently more expensive to frame art than the art itself unless you are framing really fine things.

Update. Sas, yes I went to the frame shop in my town, the one on the main road.( There used to be one on a side riad, not sure if it’s still there.)

It will be under $200. i don’t remember exactly because he quoted a price then I chose the glass. I went with museum so the upgrade.

I decided to put them together. as I I have two small paintings on the other side of the room.

It just looks more interesting to me.

I picked a brown frame, off white matt and a small rim of brown matt around each painting, as he suggested.

It will be a bit small on the wall but I’m okay with that.

Yes, Pal. That has happened to me. They simple prints from a trip to Alaska. But, they are still hanging in my bedroom and I enjoy every day. I don’t own any valuable art. All is just sentimental to me.

Ruby, my Alaska prints have a similar gold/ silver frame.

Thanks everyone.

ETA The customers before me were having a Morrocon painting framed. They were quoted at $750. I was confident that mine would be okay.

I'll post back 2 weeks.

I just saw your post and am glad you went with a local frame shop. I really miss the people that used to do all my framing. He was meticulous with the framing itself and she was wonderful at helping to select mats and frames. Sadly they retired and have now passed away.

I have some prints given to me by the son of dear friends. When his mother passed away, her son gave me prints of art work his dad had done years ago. Two were very similar in theme and I wanted to have them framed together. I took them to Michaels, and even with the coupons they still were more pricey than I expected. It took forever to find someone to help me, and the mat choices were lacking. In retrospect I should have just packed up and gone elsewhere. Then they messed up one of the framing jobs and had to re-do it. How it passed someone’s inspection, I’ll never know because there were several glaring flaws. I guess I’m fortunate they didn’t damage the prints. The two they framed together did turn out nicely but what a hassle.

Outside, these framing stores are now few and far in-between. I had a similar experience in Hobby Lobby. The choices were lacking but like you, I forged forward. They are fine but more money than I expected.

Like Palimpsest, I was thinking $400 to $500, based on what the framer I use has charged.

For Kevin's last art show, we went to a molding shop to buy long pieces of wood that he cut and we finished the frames ourselves. My last roommate in San Francisco also did all of his own framing and matting, but it definitely requires special skill.

I had similar eperience where I had something re-framed at Michael's. It was fine, but not wonderful, as the piece was worth and it was pretty pricey .

And this is why I still have some fabrics that my late aunt wove, unframed.. They're also small, like maybe 5 inches square ( but of course, not uniform) and every so often I consider having them framed.

I also have one or two watercolors my daughter did. She's not an artist but they are really nice. I did put one in a ready made frame and I'm happy with it, but the others need some attention and I know my skill level is not there.

I guess I'll be finally walking into an independent frame store soon.

I love those, eld and look forward to seeing the completed project.

No matter how many times I have something professionally framed, I am always shocked at how high the price is! But in most cases, it’s worth doing. I have two good framing shops within a few miles of my house. I went to Michaels once and the experience was just meh.

If I buy a standard size (5x7, 8x10, etc) print, I can frame myself with mat and frame from another local art store that has tons of options, but so many things don’t work with standard frames.

I saw an artist’s work somewhere local that really intrigued me. Later I saw that she sold prints of her paintings. I don’t like to have expensive/original art at our beach house, so a print was reasonable. I ended up having several things framed at the same time so I don’t recall what it cost, but it was worth it. I am sitting next to her now, sorry for the reflection. Framed very simply. It is about 30” square so nothing I could DIY.

I haven't had anything professionally framed in years. I have had (still have) things I want up on the walls that don't make it there because I'm dithering over the price of framing. Years ago I bought a nice mat cutter so I didn't have to rely on precut mats. I miss Aaron Bros. for affordable frames.

Yes, framing is expensive, but for most of us it is a one time expense that will last and be enjoyed for decades.

for most of us it is a one time expense that will last and be enjoyed for decades.

It should be. But my taste in art is fickle. And sometimes when you redo a room or move altogether, there is no good home for it anymore. I think the best route is to go with a local framer and just try to pick among the more reasonable options. Frames vary very widely in price, and most pieces can look very nice with a modest frame.

Mtn, so true. My taste in everything is ever evolving.

Since the price reasonable, I didn't feel the need to try for less expensive. That in my case would be choosing a frame by price only and doing the nonmuseum quality glass.

Unrelated to this discussion I decided to build two frames for two small oil paintings- I found an antique frame for $38 dollars in one of my favorite antique stores but the other two portraits were weird sizes so they would need to be custom. One 16’ length of finger joint chair rail was $50 at the orange box, so with the paint and other wood needed it came to $100. Then of course my time. Makes me think Michaels would have been cheaper (but not as satisfying?)

Hallett, can you share photos of the paintings?

Sure. It will be a bit- they are in my house in Maine which we are remodeling. Heading there at Thanksgiving.

One other option might be an online custom frame shop like American Frame. I've used them several times and have been quite happy. (I've also used Michael's locally.)

Prickly, thanks. It is at a local framers and should be ready in 2 weeks.