Framing a Jersey or two...

OK, so I might be a little obsessed...

...with the work of Charley Harper.
We now have notecards by him, Edie (his wife) and son Brett.
Each member of this family has a unique style of their own.

They are such a nice family, too.

A day in the life of a picture framer (part 1)

Ever wonder what it's like to be a picture framer?
6:45 am
I wake up slowly and get suited for an hour of Tae Bo with Billy Blanks.

8:00 am
Grab a yogurt and mix Grape Nuts into it.
(and hope my teeth don't break from the crunchy)
~~~UPDATE~~~~
I no longer eat grape nuts, *sob*
My teeth, in fact, HAVE been breaking.
Ahhhh... the joys of getting older.

8:15 am
Shower.

9:00 am
Get my husband (Tom) and Perry (shop dog) in the car for the 10 minute drive to town.

9:10 am
Open the shop ~ Turn on Computer/air compressor/get a coffee, yum

9:30 am
Phone rings. It's a solicitor. Hang up before they try to get you to say "Yes, this is the owner"
Those solicitors will take that one simple word "yes" and use it to sign you up for everything you don't want. I find it's just best to hang up.

10:30 am
My Favorite Marquette artist comes in. Carol Papaleo, she owns Art UP Style.
Carol has a few "new paintings" she needs framed. Helping her at the design table is great!
We chose some nice matting and added a v-groove, and a "gun-metal grey" metal frame.

10:45am
I get moving on a really wonderful and slightly complex framing.
It involves 6 metals and 14 photos. Designing a layout for this came quite easy for me.
This framing also needed to have some calligraphy done, to describe what kind of animal it was.
I work on the calligraphy for about 1 hour, then I realize I need to go move my car!
I just can't see myself getting a parking permit, so I go and move the car every 2 hours.
Picture will be posted soon. TA-DA! PICTURES!! :)

A frame job with a story

Recently, one Mother brought us her sons "airborne" course certificate, wings (pin), a photo and patches to be framed. He told his Mom "This is something I'm really proud of, could you have it framed?" She brought it in and said to us, "Do it how you think looks the best". And we did :)
We choose a wood frame that resembled a camouflage texture (kind of) and a black mat that cuts on a BLUE core. From there, we added a v-groove in order to tie all the ingredients together!
It looks so awesome. She literally shrieked with delight when she picked it up. I LOVE it when that happens.

Great time...

...for you to bring in anything you need framed!

The sun is shining, the birds are chirping and you probably are in the mood for something new and totally fresh for your walls at home.

Why come here for framing?
You'll get:
1) Extra personal attention
2) Matting and framing advice (to match your decor, if you like)
3) A free "Art of Framing" pencil. WOW :)
4) We'll make sure you feel comfortable and relaxed while your'e here.
5) You might get inspired to paint something yourself!
~ We have a nice big selection of art supplies.
~ We'll even help you with painting/drawing techniques for free!!!! no kidding!!!!!!!

Have a great day,

Stacie
906-228-7719
Mon - Fri 9:30-6:00
Sat 9:30-3:00
Or call and we can be here when it's good for you ;)

*Charley Harper* 1922-2007

I am so very crushed to say that Charley Harper has passed away.
Obituary
When I called Harper Studios to place an order on June 5th they told me that Charley was in the hospital. Pneumonia. MY HEART SUNK. I called again on the 18th, that's when they told me he was gone.

A ONE OF A KIND artist.
*sniffle*sob* He will be missed. *sniffle*sob*

You will love Charley Harper Prints!

Art of Framing has them here and now!!

"Isle Royal National Park Poster"
$45 unframed


















"Michigan Audubon Society Poster"
$35 unframed



















"October Edibles"
$50 unframed












"Pack Pact"
21x21
Artist Proof Signed and Numbered Print

More lovely Charley Harper prints

"Chickadee Calisthetics"
$50 unframed
$150 framed as is










"Chimney Chums"
$50 unframed




















"Claire De Loon"
15x20 Signed and Numbered Print












"Sugar Free"
23x15 Artist Proof/Signed and Numbered








"Hummingbird Homemaker"
$50

Pounded bark art Framing

A brand new customer of ours brought in a 48x96 piece of aboriginal art (this is shredded bark, that's been pounded, pressed and pieced together in sections) they wanted framed.

This project proved to be a bit of a challenge because we were to "float mount" the art onto the backer board. We came up with a very strong hinging technique that will not harm the art, but will also hold the piece in place for years and years to come.

We used a 4" wide Larson Juhl frame that has a beautiful finish that totally resembles raw bark.

It took us 3 full work days and 4 trips - in one day- to Menards (for extra bracing support bars,etc).
The entire framing ended up weighing 60 lbs.

funtional art...

I started painting lightswitch plates for myself for home, then I thought "how fun it would be for everyone to have a chance at owning their little piece of functional art". (and you don't even have to frame it!!) :)
So, I've been painting a few lightswitch plates. Here's some pictures of a few I've done.

They are super fun and if you have a special scene or photo you want me to paint from, I can totally do that.

The single switch price at $20-$30 and the doubles price at $35-$45

wow-whoooo It's been a long time

Geez, I sure havent kept up my blog here!
It has been so cold lately, all I want to do is stay indoors!

I just wanted to say if anyone has any questions about prices for custom picture framing, we'd love to have you pop-in the shop here and we can look at different framing styles and offer you a quote. Free of charge! and it's fun!

We will be more than happy to work with you if you have a certain budget your'e trying keep with.
Of course we want your picture to look the BEST it can be.

There are NEW frames choices available.

We recieved several new frame styles this past week.
They are all distributed by Larson Juhl, a quality line of frames.
I will post some pictures soon!!

All the kiddies will be coming downtown for Halloween soon and we've stocked up on bags and bags of candy! I love seeing all the costumes, although I'm not real big into dressing up, I do get a big kick out of seeing everyone else. :)

Also, we're getting ready for Ladies Night, which is Thursday, November 16.
You can sign up for prizes and eat some snacks!
You're also welcome to fill out a wish list, that we will mail to your "Santa".
So, print out some of your personal address labels (this will make it faster for you to enter your name for prizes and such) for the super fun-filled night.
See you soon or just stop on in to chat!

Art Stroll 2006

Remember!!
Art Stroll 2006 is October 5th, 5-8pm.

We have several Nita Engle's on display that are out of print.
Some are very rare and hard to find.

Stop by for hors d'voeurse!!

This was a really nice project we worked on recently.

A gentleman brought in a wonderful collection of his grandfathers WWI memorabilia.
Which included:
~~ A Soldiers diary, (we scanned the last entry made and put in a "mini-frame" within the frame),
~~ Also, a postcard sent to his mother, saying their had ship arrived safely
Among other items were:
~~ Photos, including very well taken care of panaramic photo of his grandfathers company.

Very rewarding job to be given the pleasure of designing.

An article to read

Here is a link to an article I heard about from the Detroit Free Press.
It's about Nita Engle, we all know her, we all love her art.
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060709/FEATURES01/607090485

Also, I'd like to mention to ya'll, that if you find a fantastic print at
Art on the Rocks, and it needs to be framed or matted, bring 'er on in.
We will take of you, and your artwork.

Have a great day!

Stacie and Tom
phone: 906-228-7719
email: artofframing@hotmail.com

New frames

NEW line of frames available!!!
This is the Casablanca collection by Max Moulding http://www.maxmoulding.com/index.php
Stop in and check out our new frame selections!

BIG MOTH

We got to work this morning and found this big guy in our doorway.
I looked him up on the internet and he is called a Cecropia Moth.
They are not usually seen in the day, because they seem to only fly at night.
~ So the birds don't eat them.
He fluttered around for a few minutes and then he took off across the street.

Say! If any of you have an unusual insects (naturally expired please, hee hee)
why don't you bring them in so we can frame it.
That would be a really neat way to display your bugs.

Guess who I saw?!

I was standing in line at Super One Foods in Marquette and in front of me checking out was...
NITA ENGLE!!!

Yep, it was definately her.

It was pretty cool.

SPORTS FANS!!

We love framing your sports memorabilia.

Whether its for your game/rec room, bar room, or living room we can design a framing that will be sure to turn heads.
PLUS... you will see the envy in your buddy's eyes when they see how cool it looks to frame a baseball jersey in the shape of a ball field!

OR... if your child is really into sports, why not frame their awards, pins, medals, photos, bibs in a nice shadowbox. Your kid would be thrilled to show off their achievements to their friends when it's hanging on their bedroom wall!

WHAT ABOUT... that ONE time you got a hole-in-one at the golf tournament?? You even have an article clipping from The Mining Journal about your glorious hole in one. We can put all of that information in a small shadowbox style framing. You can hang it anywhere in your house. Your bathroom! Your rec room! Your hallway!

So, come on in, and let us make your memories last a lifetime.

Talk to Stacie and Tom 228-7719

NMU STUDENTS

All NMU students receive 10% off framing (art for shows only)
You also get 10% off Art Supplies.
Believe me, our prices are better than the BIG BOX store.
If you happen to find something that is a better price elsewhere, come in, prove it to me, and you'll still get 10% off!

Also, if you have your own mat board cut to size, and you need an opening cut into it, we only charge $2 per opening. Usually, we can do it for you in the same day.

Hours
MON- FRI 10-5:30
SAT 10-3:00
228-7719