Four steps to creating a memorable project

Mar 4, 2019 | Family Framing, Picture Framing

Four steps to creating a memorable project

Taking a project from conception to completion

When you bring your framing project to us, you expect the best, and that is exactly what you will get from start to finish. We organize, design, and create complex framing projects from your treasures. From creative ideas to hanging hardware, we provide innovative design and quality workmanship, so you can enjoy your piece for years.

A collection of keepsake items may seem overwhelming to safely store and keep track of, while still being able to enjoy them. Custom framing will solve these challenges and create a beautiful display you will be proud to show off.

Shadowboxes are sometimes called memory boxes, and for good reason. They are the perfect way to showcase special objects and photos that celebrate a memory, achievement, event or person. We are experts in creating artistic presentations from your items — just bring them in and we can create a truly one-of-a-kind memory for you.

Follow these four steps to create a memorable framing project!

STEP 1: Select your project theme. Some examples include Grandpa’s Army Days,Child’s Hand Print, Grandma’s Scarf,or Dad’s Passion.
STEP 2: Gather all items that relate to your theme — photos, clothing, mementos, medals, certificates — anything that’s scrapbook-worthy.
STEP 3: Bring your items to us. We will help you arrange them in an aesthetically pleasing manner.
STEP 4: We’ll work our framing magic and present you with a completed framed project, so you can cherish your memories for a lifetime!

Here are some examples that illustrate how complex projects go from concept to completion!

Grandma’s Scarf

It was early fall. My Mom and I were going to take a short walk to the local bakery for some yummy scones and a cup of coffee. Mom threw on her wrap that had been passed down three generations — and would eventually be mine someday. It was beautiful, and perfect for the crisp chill in the air. As we were chatting, I noticed the scarf had become threadbare in some places. I told Mom that when it was mine, I would like to honor it by framing it in a shadowbox, so that it would not become any more damaged. She thought that was a wonderful idea, and suggested I add pictures of the women who had worn it. Every time I look at grandma’s scarf, I think of that fall day when Mom and I were at that cozy coffee shop enjoying each other’s company.

Family heirlooms are beautiful items passed down from generation to generation, and it is our job to capture their beauty and preserve their sentimental importance. Heirlooms like textiles, scarves, wedding dresses, and handkerchiefs are hand-sewn and protected behind UV-filtering glass. History and tradition come together in a design that mimics the vintage colors and textures of old photographs and fabrics.

Child’s Hand Print

The day my son brought home his little hand print in clay, I didn’t know what to do with it. I wanted to hang it, but didn’t trust the ribbon used for a hanger. So, I gushed over it, and a week later put it in a box so that it wouldn’t get broken. Eight years later, I was cleaning the closet, and opened a box that I had forgotten about. Seeing that clay print brought back the day he brought it home. I never wanted to forget it again. Now when I look at that precious handprint, I can remember that day every day!

Kids grow up in the blink of an eye, but the art — and memories — they leave with us lasts a lifetime. Frame your child’s greatest masterpiece and you can enjoy those memories every time you look at your finished piece. Their first scribbles, handprints, and school art projects make for memorable framing projects. For this ceramic handprint, we used neutral mat colors so the design would always remain in-style; the frame is a soft off-white to match the ceramic.

Dad’s Passion

Many times in my childhood, I remember my Dad grabbing his fishing pole to spend a day at his favorite lake. Some days he caught something; some days not. But he didn’t care; it wasn’t about the bounty — it was about being outside and having the hope & faith that something would catch the end of his line. Many years after having some of his favorite fishing pieces framed, it is a bit of history passed to my children about my Dad’s Passion.

Some hobbies come with a great deal of collectibles or representational items that define our personalities. Framing is a great way to honor and cherish those collections (and the person attached to those memories). Whether it’s fishing lures, coin collections, or spoons, we can create a beautiful display to celebrate that person. For this project, we opted for neutral colors and rustic finishes to highlight the sport and vintage style.

Additional Topics

Conservation/Preservation Framing

We use the very best materials for your projects because we want your art and heirlooms to survive for a lifetime without change of color, damage from glues, or out-gassing from materials that are not acid-free.

Museum Glass

Is there anything worse than getting something framed and not being able to see it? That won’t happen with Museum Glass. Not only does it have 99% UV protection to keep your art and objects from fading, it has exceptional clarity so that you can really SEE what is behind your frame!

Conserve and protect your artwork

Jan 17, 2019 | Caring for artwork, Picture Framing

Conserve and protect your artwork

Conserve and protect your artwork this Halloween

Damage to your artwork can be scary!

Do you know what’s really scary? Framing that damages your art! Inferior framing materials and exposure to destructive elements can fade, discolor, and damage your framed art. Framing isn’t just about making your framed piece look good – it’s about looking good forever! This Halloween let’s avoid a framing scare by using the proper materials to conserve and protect your project.

Acid-Free Materials

Acid-Free is your new favorite framing term. Materials that have acidic components breakdown and outgas, discoloring and burning your art. ‘Acid-Free’ materials have had those harmful ingredients filtered out, so they do not cause damage. There are two main components in a picture frame that can potentially contain acid: Matting & Backing Board. We only use superior acid-free mats & foam core.

Matting goes on top of the art. If the mats are not acid-free, they out-gas and cause damage, seen as brownish edges on the opening of the mat. Matting color will fade if it is not acid-free, eventually clashing with the art color. If you have acid-burn or faded mats, ask us to re-mat your project with acid-free mats or 100% cotton rag mats.

Backing Board like foam core goes underneath the art. If it is not acid-free, it can burn your art, causing weakening of paper fibers and decolorization. We highly recommend always using acid-free backing board.

UV Filtering Glass

UV (ultraviolet) rays can wreak havoc on your framed artwork. If UV rays can burn skin, they can damage art as well. UV damage is a chemical reaction; changes take place at a cellular level that cause fading, discoloration and harm to your art. Art framed with ‘regular’ glass will often fade to a washed-out blue tone.

Just as we put sunscreen on to protect our skin from harmful UV rays, you need to protect your art by framing it with UV-filtering glass or UV-filtering acrylic. We recommend glazing that filters 99% of those harmful rays.

Just because your art is inside does not mean that it is safe. It still needs UV protection. Did you know that fluorescent lighting emits UV rays? Stop the damage before it begins and opt for UV-filtering glass.

Do I Need to Protect Fabric?

If you think your fabrics & textiles don’t need glass … think again. Fabric is susceptible to dust, smoke, bugs, furnace residue, hands-on people, UV rays, and so on. Some fabrics like canvas can withstand harmful effects better than others, but why risk it? Moths and non-visible bugs are especially attracted to silk and wool. Modern glass is nearly invisible, so you can enjoy the fine details of your textiles AND take advantage of the protective benefits glazing offers.

What is the difference between Conservation & Preservation?

Conservation: prevent injury, decay, waste, or loss of integrity

Protect a piece of art in its original (pristine) state.

Preservation: keep alive or in existence; make lasting – to keep safe from harm or injury

Protect a piece of art in its existing state.

What’s A CPF?

A CPF is a Certified Picture Framer. A CPF is experienced and must keep up with current methods and materials in the industry. The certification must be renewed annually to keep the designation. When a CPF builds your project, it is in the best hands.

A gallery wall, when one is not enough

Jan 17, 2019 | Gallery Walls, Picture Framing

A gallery wall, when one is not enough

Displaying framed image groupings or creating a gallery wall

Traditionally when hanging pictures on the wall, one picture would be hung by itself and that was that. While a single piece of art can be inspiring and lovely to look at, sometimes you need your wall display to do more. Does it need to tell a story? Is it a conversation piece? Does it continue to capture your attention?

When one picture is not enough, you can group images together for a more cohesive display. Framed groupings are very fashionable right now, often known as gallery walls. No longer do you have to decide which piece goes on the wall — put them all up!

It’s easy to create a grouping that is completely unique to you, your style and your home. The good news is there are no rules, and lots of different ways to achieve an interesting grouping for your gallery wall.

Assemble a collection for your gallery wall

Framing is a great way to enjoy a collection of images. If the images are linked items, a series, or visually similar, consistency is the key to making your gallery wall feel like a collection. The images in our example are the same coloring, so it is easy to frame them all with the same matting and moulding. Consistent design emphasizes that the grouping belongs together and brings focus to the art.

Unite your art

Your gallery wall should be united in some manner. It can be by image style, image subject, size, frame moulding, or by mat color. In the design world, this is known as the theory of gestalt — the idea that humans have an unconscious tendency to group things together visually, whether intended or not. So apply this theory to your gallery wall and figure out what connects them. Why are you combining these particular images? Use the design to reinforce your reason.

Use a mix of frame styles (ornate, traditional, modern), but make all the frames the same color. This can be easily accomplished by simply spray painting a bunch of random frames the same color — boom, they look alike. Use a completely different frame style for each image, but all the images are the same subject. Or, the images could all be black and white, or landscapes. Use the same size image, matting color and frame. For example, random images that are all in square black frames will look like a cohesive group.

Fill an odd sized space with a gallery wall

An extremely long or tall wall can be intimidating to fill. For a wide horizontal space, consider multiple pieces hung side by side. Buy a panoramic print, cut it into three pieces, and frame each piece individually but in the same style. For a tall vertical space, consider stacking multiple pieces in a column. Buy three of the same print and rotate each so that the grouping looks like one piece. Because wall groupings are so flexible in their layout, it’s easy to customize for an odd sized space. You can even create a gallery wall to fill an odd space that goes around a corner.

Choosing the layout for your gallery wall

A symmetrical layout for a gallery wall is even and organized, creating a formal, structured arrangement. They tend to be grid-based, with equal sizes and consistent framing styles. Images may either line up horizontally, vertically or both based on the number of pieces, shape of individual pieces and overall size. Treat a grouping of pictures as a single unit.

An asymmetrical layout is more casual, using different sizes, styles, and colors to create a eclectic visual collage. It takes a little more planning to ensure that this kind of grouping does not feel chaotic or random, but the overall effect can be very creative. This is a time when ‘different’ works together.

When creating the grouping layout for the wall, there needs to be a sense of balance. A general rule is to begin in the center and work outward, making sure that the larger pieces always have a counter balance. It’s ok to mix vertical and horizontal pieces. For symmetrical layouts, measure your available space to make sure your pieces are properly centered. If you have an uneven space to fill (like by a staircase), keep the heaviest piece to the bottom as your eye naturally goes from bottom left to top right. If your asymmetrical arrangement is in a normal sized space, the heaviest piece should be placed in the center.

When deciding placement on the wall, be creative. These black & white glossy pictures of movie stars in a home theatre are framed and arranged so that the overall unit resembles a film strip.

Hanging your gallery wall

Plan. It. Out. Having a set plan of how the grouping will hang will save you a wall full of nail holes! The ideal situation is to choose which pieces you want to have framed for this area, and get them all designed at the same time, so that you will have a cohesive look.

Spacing between each piece should be proportional to the overall size you have available. If pieces are placed too close it will make the art look crowded; too far apart will make it feel disconnected. Varying spacing can seem chaotic and random. Generally, 2” to 3” apart is a good distance between each piece. Correct spacing sometimes depends on the amount of room you can devote to the grouping.

After the images are framed, make a template of each piece to be hung. Trace around the outside of the frame on kraft paper, cut out the shape, and label it. Note on the paper whether the art is vertical or horizontal. You may also want to note which picture it is. Secure the templates to the wall with painter’s tape. Stand back and look at the arrangement. Do you like it? Or do you need to rearrange? Once you have decided on a plan, leave them up there until the pieces are actually hung.

Additional Topics

Museum Glass

When you have multiple items hanging together, that’s a lot of glass. The more surface space, the more chance for reflection. Eliminate glare by using Museum Glass. Museum Glass has exceptional clarity, so that you can really SEE what is behind your frame!

Delivery & Installation

Lots of framed pieces? We would love to deliver & hang your new collection for you. Ask us for details on how we can help you arrange your frame grouping.

Do you need a mirror?

Dec 30, 2018 | Mirror Framing, Picture Framing

Do You Need a Mirror?

There are so many benefits to incorporating a mirror in your décor!

Mirrors make small spaces feel larger, add variety to plain walls, increase light in dark areas, reflect the beauty of a fine piece of furniture, bring a lackluster room to life, and serve as a functional appearance-check as you walk out the door. A custom framed mirror is the perfect addition to almost any décor.

Take this simple quiz to determine if you need a custom mirror:

Do you have an odd sized space?
Do you need to match a piece of furniture?
Do you have a space that needs punch?
Do you have a unique, hard-to-define personal style?
Do you want to create a focal point or conversation piece?
Do you have a dark area in your home?
Do you need to duplicate a scene in your home?

If you answered “Yes” to any of these questions, you need a custom mirror built just for you! We can help!

Why do you need a custom-built mirror?

When professional custom framers like us build your mirror, we are building it to yourspecifications – right down to the last detail – exactly sized for your space and your style. You get to be involved in the design process, choosing from hundreds of frame samples and mirror choices to build a unique, one-of-a-kind mirror for your home. Because it is built by hand, the quality is unsurpassed; pre-manufactured mirrors cannot compare to the care that our custom framers will commit to your framed mirror. Our framers will make sure your mirror will safely stand the test of time, hang properly, and fit beautifully in your space.

Hang it right the first time!

When you are ready to hang your mirror, consider these tips for proper placement:

Think about the tallest person using it – don’t make them bend down or visually cut their head off!
Look at what the mirror is reflecting – is it pleasing? Do you want that visual duplicated?
Don’t let a mirror startle you. For example, if you place a mirror directly in front of your door, you may get startled by your own reflection as you walk into your home.
Don’t place a mirror across from another mirror – your home isn’t a carnival funhouse.

Additional Topics:

Did You Know?

The most primitive ‘mirror’ was looking at one’s reflection in a dark pool of water.
At one time, mirrors were quite expensive and rare. In 1835, German chemist Justus von Liebig applied a silver metallic coating to one side of a piece of glass. This process made mass production of mirrors available and mirror use became widespread.
Some cultures cover mirrors after the death of a loved one, believing that mirrors would trap the soul of the departed and prevent them from going to the afterlife.
Some believe that hanging a mirror (which represents the element water) over a fireplace (which represents the element fire) balances the elements of nature.

Tips & Hints:

If you choose a mirror with a beveled edge, make the mirror large enough so that the edge does not interrupt the main reflection.
Only use one large mirror per room – too many reflections can be visually confusing.
Avoid small ‘face only’ mirrors – save the small mirrors for trays.
A mirror should take up ½ to ¾ of the viewable wall space if it is not bundled with other wall décor items. Balance your positive and negative space.
For tight areas like bathrooms, measure your maximum available space and make sure your framer knows your size limitation.

Delivery & Installation

Mirrors are heavy and difficult to transport and hang properly and safely. Let us help! We would love to deliver and hang your mirror for you! Ask us for details.

Gifts from the heart

Dec 1, 2018 | Family Framing, Gift ideas, Picture Framing

Gifts from the heart

Custom framing makes a wonderful gift!

The holidays will be here before we know it, and you want to buy meaningful gifts for the special people on your list. Gift cards and two-day shipping might be convenient, but custom framed gifts are treasured forever.

What makes a gift memorable? When you are creating a unique framed project, you are giving your loved one a one-of-a-kind gift from the heart…something they wouldn’t buy for themselves…something that evokes a smile every time they look at it. Now is the time to begin thinking about the unique memories, keepsakes, and treasures you want to frame for the holidays. Here’s some ideas!

Celebrate a dream come true

Life goals deserve recognition when they are achieved, but they are unique to each person. Get creative – sometimes the small details make the best framed memories.

Dream vacation? Relive paradise by framing a photo from those travels.
Dream car? Celebrate this achievement by framing the window sticker.
Dream job? Encourage that hard work by framing the first dollars earned.

Frame The Kids!

Any parent or grandparent will be thrilled with a present that showcases their children. Maybe your son is a new Dad or your friend with kids is hard to buy for…you can’t go wrong with a gift centered around their beautiful bundles of joy. There are so many frameable ideas…

Newborn Photography
Baby feet
Mother & Child Image
Hand-drawn Portrait
Family Tradition
Kid’s Art

Match a décor style

Art is very individual, so when you find the perfect art for someone, it speaks volumes. Sometimes the art is decorative in nature, and sometimes it is more expressive. Either way, understanding the tastes of others shows that you care. For example, wouldn’t this rooster print look fabulous in your friend’s farm-themed kitchen? She will think of you every time she looks at it.

You collect WHAT? Display your collection

Everybody collects something – from fountain pens to coins to Pez dispensers! Pick the collectible that has the most sentimental meaning or is the favorite. We can frame three-dimensional objects, so don’t feel limited in your selection!

Enjoy special moments

Keep the memory of special people and moments alive by framing a meaningful reminder. A beautiful letter your grandmother wrote you as a child…a wine label from your sister’s birthday at the winery…the hole-in-one golf ball your best friend shot last summer….these all make amazing gifts!

Relive Holiday Memories

Children add a boisterous warmth to the holidays. Remember those delightful moments when the kids were small and seemed to embody holiday spirit? Display those memories so you can cherish them each holiday season.

Additional Topics

Custom trays for holiday gatherings

Make your holiday dinner memorable. Serve it up with a one-of-a-kind serving tray for drinks & appetizers. Unique!

Don’t forget Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is part of the holiday season, too! Show your gratitude for holidays past by framing your child’s handprints, thoughtful gratitude quotes, or family portraits.