How to care for your Pokidots custom keepsake (or most framed artworks).
The Pokidots custom keepsakes are valuable pieces of art.
They are framed and shipped carefully in a hard box with plenty of cushioning (and “FRAGILE” stickers). A high-end piece of art like this deserves to be cared for well, so it could be preserved for years, even decades.
The care of the Pokidots custom keepsakes is noted on the back of each frame, so it’s always handy—it’s important information! In this post, I will go a little further in the care and will give you some tips about transportation of these most delicate pieces.
First—Anatomy of a frame
I’ll be using these words throughout the post so I wanted to make them clear before I start!
The frame: This can mean the whole frame components and artwork inside, but technically this is just the wooden part. Like a door frame is what frames the door without the door itself, the frame here is only the rectangle part.
Glazing: That’s the transparent glass or acrylic in the front, that protects the artwork.
Backing: That’s the back piece that closes the frame and has the hanging hardware on it. The backing on the Pokidots keepsakes is secured to the frame all around.
Handling
Please carry your keepsake by the frame, from the sides. Don’t squeeze the piece by holding it from the backing and the front glazing, as this might crush the 3D artwork inside.
If you have to set the keepsake aside temporarily, place it on a smooth surface, on its backing, or stand it in a safe spot (where it won’t be dropped or kicked). Avoid placing any objects on top of the glazing (glass/acrylic).
If you own multiple keepsakes, you can pile them up temporarily, keeping fronts against fronts, and backs against backs, so that the metal hanging hardware of one doesn’t scratch the glazing of the other (see photo below).
The acrylic glazing is fragile. Please don’t let anything get in contact with it.
The good news is that the keepsakes are meant to be hung! And once they’re displayed, you can leave them alone, until you clean them. Perhaps this will motivate you to hang your keepsake very soon after you receive it!
If you have to stack the frames, don’t stack them all facing up! Lay one down facing up, and the next facing down, then the next facing up, and the next facing down, and so on. Keep fronts against fronts and backs against backs so that the hardware on the backs doesn’t scratch the glazing.
Facing up—facing down—facing up—facing down.
Same thing when you’re standing them up stacked, or putting them in a box temporarily: fronts against fronts, and backs against backs.
Displaying
The hardware on the keepsake frames is solid. Make sure the hardware you use on your wall is solid as well and that you hang your keepsake higher than toddlers’ reach.
When you hang it, don’t let go of it unless you peek behind and make sure it is secured properly from the hardware.
Heat may damage the artwork and fade its colors; please avoid hanging or placing it over a source of heat, such as a room radiator, or in front of a light bulb. Avoid hanging or placing your artwork in direct sunlight which will fade the colors as well over time.
This client used Command Hooks to display her children’s keepsakes on windows separating her living room and dining room.
Moving
If you have to transport your keepsake to another location, I’ve found that a standard pillow case is the perfect size to wrap and protect your frame. Place one keepsake per pillow case, and put them in a box with bigger frames if possible (so that the hardware of the smaller frames doesn’t scratch the glazing).
Make sure they are placed snuggly in a box so they don’t wobble during transport. If you can, it is worth transporting the keepsakes near you (inside the car next to you rather than in the trunk, or in a carry-on tote with bubble wrap instead of checked-in baggage.)
If the keepsake will be “stored” for a longer period of time, more cushioning is recommended. Make sure you also label the package, whether it was cushioned or in a simple pillow case, so that you remember to hold it properly and handle it with care.
A standard-size pillow case works great to protect your frame when moving it outside the house.
Cleaning
Gently clean the frame using a microfiber cloth, without pressure, to avoid scratching the fragile glazing.
Please don’t use any cleaning products on the frame. If you must, dampen the microfiber cloth very lightly with gentle cleaning spray, and wipe it gently.
These tips are good general care instructions for any artworks you own, not only the Pokidots keepsakes, though these keepsakes are extra special and fragile, due to the frame being a shadow frame (i.e., the glazing is not in direct contact with the mat or the artwork, and that makes it easier to crush or break).
I believe that your environment is the hub of your happiness. Elevate it and surround yourself with the things that spark joy, things that inspire you, or that bring back the happy memories of precious moments, and notice how your daily life becomes more joyful. Choose your artworks mindfully, enjoy them in your environment, and take care of them.
Do you have any other tips concerning hanging and caring for special artworks?
