SOME INTERESTING FACTS 

 

Here at Framed and Fabulous, we are very proud of our fabulous framed 3D pictures, and so here we would like to give a little background information about some of the items we frame.  At the moment, two of our most popular items are the incredible framed Venetian Mardi Gras Masks, and the exquisite  framed Seashells, so below is a bit of information on these. 

 

VENETIAN MASKS

Italian artisans have been making masks for over 1000 years, so they are certainly part of Italian culture. The larger ones are usually made from papier -mache , and were originally used to protect the identity of the wearer (usually during decadent or promiscuous activities!).  The small masks are made from ceramic, or porcelin, and all are wildly decorated, using all sorts of ornate embellishments, including beads, pearls, crystals, fur, feathers, gems, fabrics and ribbons. 

The modern celebration of Carnevale  (a pageant and street fair celebrating hedonism) has breathed new life into the art of making these masks.   Recognizable varieties of Venetian masks , like the cat masks, Dottore, Columbino, Harlequin, Jester etc., continue to dazzle and enchant both tourists and dancers in the Carnevale.

Venice was hit by the plague several times, and it is believed that at this time masks were used to cover any unsightly scars caused by the plague.  A special mask was created for the doctors who tended to the sick - these had  glasses and a very large birdlike beak , intended to scare away the evil that caused the plague.

The  Bauta mask is traditionally worn with a Cavalier hat  and a cape, and can be worn by either sex.  The very large jawline tends to disguise the wearer's voice, enabling the wearer to effectively disguise not only their identity, but their sex as well!

 

 

SEASHELLS

Seashells are produced by molluscs, and there are two main types - gastropods and bi-valves.  Gastropods are sea snails, and they are recognisable by their spiral shells.  The bi-valves, on the other hand  are made up of two flat shells held together by a ligament - these can often be found on the beach as single flat shells.  Limpets (the conical shells which cling to rocks) are actually primitive gastropods which haven't yet begun to grow their shell in the spiral shape typical of this class.

There are many different Shell Families, such as Conch, Helmet, Cowrie, Murex, Trivia, Cones, Olives, Tritons Snails, etc, and we will be adding information on all of these.  Probably our most popular framed seashell is the beautiful and fascinating Nautilus Shell:

 

Nautilus Shells

  

Over 400 million years ago, Nautilus shells were widely distributed thro0ughout the worlds oceans.  Their actual form has remained the same for hundreds of millions of years.  These unique cephalopod  molluscs can be found in both the Indian and Pacific Oceans, living in rock crevices and coral reefs.  Unlike other molluscs, the Nautilus has a spiral external shell.  As the animal gros, it seals off chambers inside the shell, which fill with gas, and this makes the shell buoyant, and enables the Nautilus to swim.  These unique air chambers have led to another name for the Nautilus, ie the Chambered Nautilus, to distinguish it from the similar Paper Nautilus, which is, in fact a quite different animal (Argonauta).

A Nautilus can have up to 90 grasping tentacles, which it uses to catch its prey.  Like many other molluscs, it will emit an ink, if it is threatened, or stressed, and this allows it to escape from predators.

The Nautilus also uses jet propulsion to move along, by forcing the air out of the shell chamber in which the animal is currently living (which is the newest and largest chamber).  The shell is also designed to help camouflage, with its darker stripes on top - these blend in with the floor of the ocean when viewed from overhead.  The bottom of the shell is white.

Nautilus eat small fish, crabs, and various other small things.  They are nocturnal - hiding during the day, and coming out to feed at night.  They live for about 20 years, and reproduce by laying eggs once a year.  These eggs take 9 to 12 months to hatch.  The shell of the Nautilus is pressure resistant to over 2,600 feet, and the animal is able to fully retreat into its shell.  A leatheryhood covers the opening in the shell to protect it further.

 

 

Sand Dollars

 

A Sand Dollar is a thin circular echinoderm, found in coastal North Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.  They have a covering of short, moveable spines, and the internal skeleton consists of five radially symetric markings, and quite ofter, a pattern of tiny, slot-like holes.  They have a flat, disc shaped body.  There are several species, but they all live in the sand, either on the surface, or partly buried, and they feed on organic particles wafted into the mouth, which is on the underside.  The small spines which cover the body are used for crawling, and also digging.  By the time you find it washed up on the beach, it will have lost this velvety covering of tiny spines, and will have a rather "bleached" appearance, due to exposure to the sun.  The Sand Dollar differs from its close relation, the heart urchin, by its shorter spines, and much flatter shape.

 

 

DECORATE A ROOM FOR VERY LITTLE MONEY!

 

Re-arrange the furniture - change the colour scheme - you can change the way a room looks by doing a few very simple things:  move the furniture around, paint a wall a different colour (but don't choose a colour that too "out there", as you will probably get sick of it very quickly) .  White is always good - apart from creating an illusion of space, it always looks fresh, and provides a great background to add splashes of colour with cushions, throws, rugs, candles, pots, storage boxes, and of course, PICTURES!  Changing the focal point of the room can make a huge difference, and if you make this focal point a picture you really love, you will enjoy it for years to come.

 

Decorating with Seashells

 

The "beachy" look is very popular at the moment, and need not cost a fortune.  A walk along the beach can turn up not only beautiful shells, which can be heaped into bowls, arranged around a pillar candle, etc, but also interesting seed pods, leaces, pebbles and driftwood.  Check out our fabulous framed seashell 3D pictures, which fit in beautifully with this theme, and also our nautical pictures, featuring different types of boats.

 

 

CHOOSE A PICTURE YOU'LL LOVE FOR EVER

 

Look for art you really, really like - something that makes you feel good, and which will transform the area in which you intend to place it.  Unless you are buying with the intention of making a profit in the future, it doesn't really matter whether the artist is "well known", but one thing to keep an eye out for is whether the piece is original, or a copy, or reproduction.

Never underestimate the power of your instinct!