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Is your framing sent out or done on the premises? All
of our framing is done in our main workshop. When we say that a frame is a "special order" we mean that it
is not one of the many frames we carry in-house. Special order frames usually take a few weeks to arrive before the
framing can be completed.
Why does framing, in some instances, cost more than the art? The
cost of your art in no way relates to the cost of the materials and labor involved in framing the art. Many posters
are 24x36 and cost about $20.00 to $30.00. Because of the large size, the poster will require more framing materials
than a smaller piece. This, along with the cost of labor to prepare the materials and assemble them into a finished
framing, will dictate the cost involved. Thus, the cost to frame this large inexpensive poster may exceed the cost to
frame a smaller more expensive work of art. There are also a variety of mouldings, matboards, and glass that have a
wide range of price points. We will be happy to give you an estimate and work with you to achieve the look that you
desire and stay within your budget constraints.
Does my art need glass? Glass is usually not used on
oil and acrylic paintings. In rare instances, glass is used, (with a spacer) to provide extra protection on fragile
paintings. Most needleworkers understand that you should not put glass on needlepoint, (which is done with spool yarn)
or on cross-stitch. This is acceptable as long as mats are not used. We recommend glass when mats are used because
mats are paper and are subject to soiling and warping if left unprotected. Some photographers suggest that their photos
do not need glass because they have been "sprayed". We have found that while the coating may protect the photo
from ultra-violet rays, it is not protected from scratching and other damage that may occur. We recommend some type
of glazing (glass or acrylic) on all other items that are framed.
There are so many choices of glass, which one is right for my framing? Glass, or "glazing", is an area of framing that is constantly changing and new, improved products are being
developed regularly. The first step is to decide if you like "regular" or "non-reflective" glass.
"Regular" is a standard clear glass, while "non-reflective" is regular glass that has been etched to reduce
reflection, creating a slightly frosted look. Regular glass is usually appropriate and lets you see the most detail,
but if you are hanging the piece in a room with a lot of glare, you might need to consider non-reflective glass. We
can show you samples of each to help you make the decision. The next decision is if you want conservation glass.
"Conservation" means that a coating has been applied that filters out the ultra-violet rays that cause the colors
to fade. Visually, you cannot see a difference between conservation glass and standard glass, but standard glass filters
only about 45% of the UV rays. Artwork should never be placed in direct sunlight, but since most rooms get some sort
of UV light, conservation glass is an excellent choice to protect your framed piece. Another improvement has been in
the area of non-reflective glass. As we previously mentioned, the non-reflective glass has a slightly frosted appearance.
The new product is "anti-reflective glass" and has virtually no reflection and does not have the frosted look of
standard non-reflective. It is nearly invisible on the framed piece. This glass is available as "Regular
AR" (which filters in the 45% range of the UV light), and "Museum" (which filters approximately 97% of UV light).
Obviously, glass that has gone through more processing in order to change its reflective and UV filtering qualities, will
be somewhat more expensive. We offer all types of glass and show you examples so that you can make an informed decision.
Another type of glazing that you may wish to consider is "acrylic". We usually recommend acrylic on larger
pieces because of the weight of a large piece of glass. It is also a good choice if you are planning to ship your framed
piece, or anytime that you desire a lighter, shatter resistant glazing.
Do you offer do-it-yourself framing (DIY)? We no longer
offer do-it-yourself framing. Once a popular genre, it has fallen out of favor in more recent years; probably because
people are losing so much of their free time!
Do you frame needlework? How should I prepare my needlework before I bring it to be framed? We take pride in our needlework expertise. Proper framing ensures that the needlework will be preserved for
the enjoyment of future generations. Needlepoint can be blocked at our store, so don't worry if they are not square
when you bring them in for framing. It is very important to keep your cross stitch clean as you work on it. Dirt
from hands and hoops usually does not come out and shows up more clearly once they are stretched and framed. You should
have at least two inches of fabric bordering the work to permit easy handling during stretching. After the piece is
finished you should inspect it thoroughly for missed stitches, loose threads and errors in word or dates. You should
also sign your work. Even if the design is not yours, the labor is. Your signature or initials and a date will
become more significant as years go by.
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