The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1912-10-14
MABEES CHITCHAT
Very Few Women Understand the
Art of Picture Framing.
SIMPLE MouNTlNGs BEST.

My Dear Flsa-l don't think there is
one woman In ten-the average per-
son, / mean-who has the faintest idea
what kind of pictures to hang on her
walls, and If she is happy in the selec-
Ltion of prints or canSases she falls
Ehopelessly down when 1t comes to
framing them.
In most cases the frame is purchas-
ed entirely independently Of the pic
ture. often at some large store, whose
framing department IL run on the
same lines as those devoted to gowns
aud provisions. Occasionally 1t hap
pens that an unusual degree of intel
ligence on the part of the salesman
leads at least to the tone Of the frame
being selected more or less In harmony
with that of the picture, but 1t Is sell
dom indeed that the subject is given
much consideration.
A picture frame maker evolves what
appears to him particularly attrac-
tive frame. and straightway 1t is adopt
ed for Corots. Rembrandts and Burne-
Joneses alike.
1t is fairly safe theory to lay down
that water colors look best In gold
frames, but the width and design of
these naturally vary with the subject.
II the picture be low In tone Ii viii be
generally found that 1t will bear a
broad mount. also of gold, and a some
what bold frame. But IL the color be
vivid and the drawing not too detailed
the frame had best be simple and the
mount discreet. In such cases the mar
row. rounded molding. decorated at
the corners with q well nodded shell
or delicate spray of flowers. is often
charming.
For engravings dark wood is prefer
able to gliding. although in few ex-
ceptional instances the latter Is permits
sible. Frames of polished walnut,
standing at an obtuse angle TO the
picture are usually safe. There should
be a marked absence of carving. but
the narrowest Of gilt may make its ap-
pearance ON the inside Oak also has
its merits. but In the majority of cases
1t is too cold in tone. There are. on the
other hand, certain tints of photo
graphic reproduction with which 1t is
in harmony.
This picture framing talk is the re-
suit of round Of calls and the OBJ
servation of the pictures hung in the
rooms of the acquaintances visited.
which in most cases were unforgivably
bad In their framing qualities. and of
ten In the subjects selected. ! really
think one can gain truer insight into
the character OF person by the Pie
lures they allow to hang on their walls
than by many other and so called bet
ter methods. At any rate. 1t is a ia
vorite test Of mine that usually turns
out creditably to my womanly intui-
ton. Here endeth the framing lesson.
Didn't you dislike to give up carry
ing your pretty hand bag OF Isle crochet
when the cool weather Gamer ! did.
and there are evidently great many
more women OF the same mind, for
there are crochet bags In the shops
made like the Irish one, which are
carried out In a duh silver thread. This
aluminium thread is imported from
Germany aud resembles dull silver. 1t
Is very light and guaranteed not to tar
nish. Bags made Of this are for shop
ping or small change. or for ones OPP
era or party bag. Any Of these bags
can be had finished or done to order.
or, better still. one may purchase the
thread by the spool and crochet them
oneself.
Finished with German silver or
aluminium tops these bags cost large
size. $3.50 Small sizes are less ex-
pensive. but as II takes but three spools
Of the thread to crochet the bag and
the thread Is but 40 cents a spool 1t Is
far more profitable to crochet them
oneself AS you crochet 30 beautiful
ly thought the suggestion would be
good one when you are working at
your Christmas gifts. Tops for the
bags may be purchased and added at
home. For the opera bag heavy
cord is used TO pull It together at the
top instead OF the metal fastener. The
thread is so thin and pliable that the
daintiest. frailest work may be
wrought from It. Even trimmings for
winter gowns are being made from
this silver thread. and on a gray frock
II would be lovely, wouldn't IT.
Another oddly. I might call Il, Is to
be found in the housekeeping depart
ment OF the large shops this season
egg scissors. know that you and
great many people think that the only
way to eat boiled egg Is in its shell.
You also are aware OF the sad acct
dents that happen when one performs
this part OF table etiquette In an awk-
ward fashion. To obvlate these mis-
haps fascinating egg scissors have
been invented for table service. Each
pair Of scissors Is In the form OF
gay little chicken. Each has a ruby
eye. and the steel is gIlded. The finger
loops OF the scissors are left the nat
ural steel color for contrast. and the
size is about FIVE inches long. They
are delightful for an invalid's break
fast tray aud very tidy as well as cute
for a child. though their use Is becom-
Ing general whenever the boiled egg
appears. They are only 60 cents
aniece and n rou vould NSe 70 have
oevers,l ~ fhrse novelties send a com