Great love stories don't fit neatly into a small box. Perhaps that's why one recent customer needed a big box – shadow box to be exact.
When Barb Coble brought in three generations of her family's wedding veils to be preserved by Framewoods, our Frame Design Director Apollonia knew she had a project that would present a challenge. In the end, she proved to herself what we knew all along: she was highly capable of creating a lasting tribute to this family of beautiful brides.
One of the veils dated back almost 100 years and was already framed with the couple's cake topper (of all things) which created some discoloration on the veil. Getting the antique veil removed from its current frame and integrating it into a new shadow box with two other well-preserved veils was the main challenge Apollonia faced. There were many strategic tucks in the fabric made to bring out the best and hide the worst.
Creating a shadow box that would fit in the customer's available space was another challenge. 18" x 40" was deemed a manageable size.
A romantic champagne-silver frame matched the veils and family wedding photos. Barb's beautiful veil create a cloud-like base at the bottom making everything appear to be floating.
Apollonia always impresses with her designing talents and takes the necessary steps to preserve your family's precious memories, artifacts and photographs in a way that'll make you proud to pass along to your children or grandchildren.
Stop by with your project and watch Apollonia rise to the challenge.
written by Lisa Coble-Krings Design Studio Hours: Monday – Friday, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. and Saturday, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Frame your children's photos or masterpiece from school and identify it as Sally's, Johnny's or Mine! heehee.
Your family's style and attitude is on display when you purchase Sketch, a new frame from Larson-Juhl's Collection. The chalkboard frame features a flat surface, great for doodles, drawings, sketches or notes. It's 3 inches wide – perfect for family members with large handwriting.
Or frame a corkboard, which turns a design piece into a bulletin board – super cute for a kitchens. Imagine the possibilities for displaying your favorite recipes!
Wow your wedding guests as they walk into your daughter's reception greeted by this fun photography display. Encourage guests to post a message of their own.
Come in and see us. Let our Frame Designers bring your ideas to life and bring joy to your home.
Financing available.
Design Studio Hours: Monday – Friday, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. and Saturday, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Recently I turned to Framewoods Art Gallery for some home decoration and commemoration needs. I had inherited a few buttons, or rather tote containers of buttons, from my late grandmother. The buttons were framed in plastic or not framed at all, just buttons sewed onto cardboard. Some needed preserved because they were cloth.
Part fashion, part function, these buttons, many of which are antique, were special to her. I was proud to inherit some of them. She made the last decade of her life all about button collecting. She even presented educational lectures on the different kinds of buttons. I was a teenager then, and I realize now that I didn't fully appreciate her passion for this hobby. Perhaps it was more than a hobby. Either way, I knew Apollonia at Framewoods was just the person to give new life to these buttons.
A lush mat and quality frame later and my hubby and I have wonderful frames to adorn our home and commemorate my grandmother. Keeping her stitches in tack, my friends at Framewoods of Topeka took these beautiful buttons and made a wonderful memorial to my grandmother that hangs in my spare bedroom.
There's a lesson in this inheritance for me that came clanging home loud and clear. Spending time with grandma and grandpa was the real treasure. All the same, I am very proud to share this story and these photos of these framed family treasures.
Been busy
Design Studio Hours: Monday – Friday, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. and Saturday, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Framewoods was honored to be asked to frame a photo of Monroe School, which was presented to First Lady Michelle Obama May 16 at Topeka's Senior Recognition Ceremony. It's nice to think one of our frames will be hanging in the White House.
Monroe School, which is now the Brown v. Board National Historic Site, was pivotal as a segregated school in case Brown v. Board of Education, which resulted in desegregation of schools across the U.S. The Supreme Court
The photo was taken by Kansas City Photographer Hartzell Gray. Mr. Larry Robbins, Assistant Superintendent for USD 501, is pictured.
Design by Apollonia Jamison, head frame designer.
Design Studio Hours: Monday – Friday, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. and Saturday, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Come in for 20% off on Tuesdays through the month of August as we commemorate the 20th anniversary of Framewoods in Topeka.
Have
your art framed your way by our expert staff and receive 20% off the
total order. Take advantage of this money-saving offer and spiffy up
your home or office!
Owner
Gary Blitsch purchased Framewoods in 1992 (he's the business' third
owner). Gary recalls framing up art in view for passersby on 29th
Street. When he spotted people looking, he would gladly respond by
lifting up projects to show them through the storefront window. The
"fishbowl" experience ended when Gary expanded the floor space and the
business in 1997 to include SouthWind Art Gallery. Two lines of business
+ one location = a convenient experience for art patrons.
Framewoods
stays open until 6:00 p.m. on Tuesdays, giving those who work during
the day an opportunity to take advantage of the special.
Make
sure you never miss out on specials and gallery exhibit changes.
Subscribers to our e-newsletter receive periodic updates conveniently in
their inbox. If you're not getting these money-saving updates, sign up here.
Framewoods, where excellence is an everyday experience.
Design Studio Hours: Monday – Friday, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. and Saturday, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
In the spirit of the Holiday Season, we added to Art's wardrobe. Download the new suit, take Art on a Holiday Adventure and share with us on Facebook. You can get a free frame for your memories from 2010!
The new Santa Suit can be downloaded from our site with this link: Artful Santa
If you don't have the orignal Art (you'll need that because Art is in this file) you will need to download him from our website. Original Art
You still have time to get your art framed before the Christmas holiday!
Early Bird Special Discount!
And, if you bring in your items for framing by Saturday, December 11, 2010, you’ll qualify for a 10% Discount!
This discount is good for framing anything including: photographs, original art, prints, posters, memorabilia, and more!
Get in on the Early Bird Special and you’ll not only save money, you’ll have your framed art in plenty of time for the Holidays!
Get a $50 Gift Certificate for Half Price!
You can now purchase a $50 Gift Certificate for just $25!
Gift Certificates make great gifts for family, friends!
Offer good through December 24, 2010
Purchase in the Store or Online.
Design Studio Hours: Monday – Friday, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. and Saturday, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Special Holiday Hours: December 24 - Close at 3:00 p.m., December 25 - Closed, December 31, Close at 3:00, January 1, 2011 - Closed.
Looking Online for Fine Art Reproductions That Can Be Customized to Fit Your Space? Check out “Artaissance” at Framewoods!
Framewoods of Topeka has just added a new service for customers who are looking for fine art reproductions online that can be customized-sized at an affordable price. We are now the exclusive Topeka representative for “Artaissance” an online art reproduction company.
Artaissance Features at a Glance:
Exclusive Collection of 3,300 images
Over 140 Artists Represented
Custom-sizing Available for All Art Reproductions
Available on Paper or Canvas (Samples available)
FREE Shipping On All Orders Sent to Framewoods for Pick Up
For Art That Fits Your Style go to: www.Framewoods.com and click on: “Art That Fits My Style.”
Remember, you get FREE shipping when you have your art shipped directly to Framewoods for pick up! Just click the “Local Retailer” tab on the Artaissance web site when placing your order.
Design Studio Hours: Monday – Friday, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. and Saturday, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Last month John Ary of "I Love Topeka" took Art out on the town to enjoy several art events in Topeka. We would like to invite you to take Art to work with you, or out for a drink after work, or wherever—then, take a photo of you and Art together. Post it on our Facebook page, or E-mail it to us and we’ll post it for you. Next, just stop by Framewoods of Topeka with the art you want framed, and we’ll frame it for FREE!*
Design Studio Hours: Monday – Friday, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. and Saturday, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Need a gift that is quick and will allow your loved one to have the fun of framing their memories? "Art Bucks" Gift cards may be purchased online or at the store in denominations of $25, $50, $75, or $100. Framewoods of Topeka Gift Certificate Cards make the perfect gift for any occasion! Gift certificates are good as cash for anything in the store — custom framing, gifts and even artwork at SouthWind Gallery! Framewoods.com
Bert Tyrell picked up her newest acquisition today. She purchased a print of "Birth of a Nation" Wind Cave National Park by Barbara Summers Edwards available from SouthWind Gallery's last show "2009 Paint the Parks." Enamored with the original piece she came in weekly to "visit" the painting. "I love it so much I could just lick it, absorb it, take it into my soul!" Bert told me during one of those visits. That statement instantly endeared her to me and I began anticipating her next "visit." What a way to describe the appreciation of art and the perfect reason to buy it! It is always a pleasure to see the excitement from a person's soul directed at a singular piece of art. She came to Framewoods immediately after we called and told her it was ready to be picked up and she was shaking with excitement as we unwrapped the piece for her approval. Then Clay and I drove over to help Bert hang her piece in the perfect spot!
Bert is an accomplished artist herself and Clay and I was offered a sneak peek at her studio space and one of Bert's newest pieces, which is absolutely wonderful! You too can have the opportunity to see her newest piece, along with over 30 area artist's work in our Ensley Gardens Plein Aire Exhibit on September 12, 2010 from 1:30 to 3:30 at the Garden House on Shawnee Lake. The sale of the artwork will benefit the Ensley Gardens endowment, allowing the continued care of one of Topeka's greatest Treasures. Design Studio Hours: Monday – Friday, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. and Saturday, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Need a gift that is quick and will allow your loved one to have the fun of framing their memories? "Art Bucks" Gift cards may be purchased online or at the store in denominations of $25, $50, $75, or $100. Framewoods of Topeka Gift Certificate Cards make the perfect gift for any occasion! Gift certificates are good as cash for anything in the store — custom framing, gifts and even artwork at SouthWind Gallery! Framewoods.com
You might have seen our last promotion for framing, "Take Art on Vacation" where our customers were asked to take our friend Art on vacation with them. It was such a success that we decided to take it a step further. Today I have been designing an interactive Art in a paper doll style, let's call him Art 2.0. We are going to invite you to take Art to work with you, or out for a drink after work, or wherever—then, take a photo of you and Art together.
But that is not all! We have upgraded Art so that you can be a little more creative. We now have him in 4 NEW interchangeable outfits; of course we have the “Original” Art (Art 2.0), the "Stuffy Suit" (Art 2.1), the "Dogs Playing Poker" casual Friday's shirt (Art 2.2), the "Afterhours" I Heart Framewoods T-Shirt - yes shamless promotion on our part (Art 2.3) and the plain white T-shirt with room for your logo (Art 2.4) along with a selection of stylish pants.
We will ask you to post it on our Facebook page (facebook.com/SouthWindGallery), or E-mail it to us (info@framewoods.com) and we’ll post it for you. Next, just stop by Framewoods of Topeka with the art you want framed, and we’ll frame it for FREE!*
As Gary always says, "Our job is like getting paid to eat ice cream!" and today is one of those days with Art and me! Give us just a few more days to get all the details together and we will release Art 2.0 out into the world so that you too can have some fun with Art at work!
Design Studio Hours: Monday – Friday, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. and Saturday, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Need a gift that is quick and will allow your loved one to have the fun of framing their memories? "Art Bucks" Gift cards may be purchased online or at the store in denominations of $25, $50, $75, or $100. Framewoods of Topeka Gift Certificate Cards make the perfect gift for any occasion! Gift certificates are good as cash for anything in the store — custom framing, gifts and even artwork at SouthWind Gallery! Framewoods.com
Have you discovered John Ary's website called "I Love Topeka"? SouthWind Gallery and Framewoods staff has enjoyed John's whitty and informative videos about Topeka for the past few months. John's positive approach to getting the word out about our home town is engaging and entertaining. Going to his website, you will find, he touches subjects from the work of non-profit organizations such as the Cat Association of Topeka and the Gage Bark Park to the Capital City Crushers (a women's roller derby team), and even positive picketing! He says "The key to enjoying this town is simple: open your eyes." We we have to agree.
Life long Topekan, John has dedicated a website that feature video shorts about all the great things to be found in our fair city. He says, "Topeka is diverse with a ton of great cultural events, a thriving art scene, and young people who are constantly looking towards the future. My goal with this project is to help Topekans see the wonderful opportunities that are already here and experience the unique people, local events and great places this city has to offer."
He graciously accepts suggestions from fans for his video subjects and we sent him an email asking him to consider participating in our "Take Art on Vacation" project. He enthusiastically took on the challenge and brought his own spin to highlight the various cultural art opportunities there are in Topeka and did a great job introducing our new spokesman Art. We had a lot of fun working with John and we are very pleased with his Art Adventures and Art loved getting out of the gallery for a while and to fufill Art's mission to incourage exploring the arts. (Like John said, that's a lot of art!)
We would like to invite you to take Art with you to any local cultural event or on vacation, take a pic or a video, and Framewoods will give you a free custom 8x10 frame. Go to http://www.framewoods.com for more information. (Hurry, the deadline for submission to Take Art on Vacation is August 15th!)
Design Studio Hours: Monday – Friday, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. and Saturday, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Need a gift that is quick and will allow your loved one to have the fun of framing their memories? "Art Bucks" Gift cards may be purchased online or at the store in denominations of $25, $50, $75, or $100. Framewoods of Topeka Gift Certificate Cards make the perfect gift for any occasion! Gift certificates are good as cash for anything in the store — custom framing, gifts and even artwork at SouthWind Gallery! Framewoods.com
2nd Annual Topeka Treasure Hunt is quickly drawing to an end and as one of the 15 locations in Topeka who participated in the hunt our days were brightened with the variety of people seeking to complete their quest. For those who do not know about the Topeka Treasure Hunt, it is a fun way to reacquaint yourself with entertaining activities and unique locations in Topeka and virtually become a tourist in your own home town!
So Thank you Visit Topeka for bringing the Topeka Treasure Hunt back this year and including SouthWind Gallery and Framewoods of Topeka.
Design Studio Hours: Monday – Friday, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. and Saturday, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Need a gift that is quick and will allow your loved one to have the fun of framing their memories? "Art Bucks" Gift cards may be purchased online or at the store in denominations of $25, $50, $75, or $100. Framewoods of Topeka Gift Certificate Cards make the perfect gift for any occasion! Gift certificates are good as cash for anything in the store — custom framing, gifts and even artwork at SouthWind Gallery! Framewoods.com
From July 2010 issue of "for Members Only" magazine for Professional Picture Framers Association.
Creativity in Kansas Former banker finds success and satisfaction with frame shop and gallery in Topeka
“Toto, I’ve a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore.”
But Dorothy and her canine companion might
have stuck around Kansas a tad longer had she found Framewoods of Topeka and SouthWind Gallery.
The magical land of Oz pales in comparison.
Owner and Iowa native Gary Blitsch settled in Topeka in 1962 after serving in the U.S. Navy and worked in the banking industry for most of the next three decades.
In 1992, he traded mortgages and money markets for mats and mouldings, and purchased Framewoods of Topeka, a custom picture framing business.
It wasn’t a long, drawn-out decision. Ready for new challenges, he walked into the custom picture framing studio and art gallery one day – and put in an offer the very next day.
“I didn’t originally plan to work in the business,” he says. “My plan was to hire a manager and run the business by remote control. But after getting acquainted with how it all worked, I was hooked.”
Offer Ends August 15, 2010 ______________________________________________
Need a gift that is quick and will allow your loved one to have the fun of framing their memories? "Art Bucks" Gift cards may be purchased online or at the store in denominations of $25, $50, $75, or $100. Framewoods of Topeka Gift Certificate Cards make the perfect gift for any occasion! Gift certificates are good as cash for anything in the store — custom framing, gifts and even artwork at SouthWind Gallery! Framewoods.com
Topeka is the home of both our friend Art and the smiling character Alfred E. Newman, long recognized as the logo character for Mad Magazine. The character was the logo for a Topeka dentist who professed his services "didn't hurt a bit!"
As you can see Alfred has taken Art on vacation to the Kansas Capitol and you can too! We will even frame your favorite photo for FREE just for including him in your vacation plans! And we promise it won't hurt a bit!
Design Studio Hours: Monday – Friday, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. and Saturday, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Need a gift that is quick and will allow your loved one to have the fun of framing their memories? "Art Bucks" Gift cards may be purchased online or at the store in denominations of $25, $50, $75, or $100. Framewoods of Topeka Gift Certificate Cards make the perfect gift for any occasion! Gift certificates are good as cash for anything in the store — custom framing, gifts and even artwork at SouthWind Gallery! Framewoods.com
You may know that during the last First Friday Artwalk, Framewoods invited the Topeka Branch of Keep America Beautiful to share their mission with our art enthusiasts. On their website you can find all sorts of recycling information for the Shawnee County area including a directory of where you can recycle nearly anything within the area. I would definitely recommend checking out their website.
As the nation’s largest community improvement organization, Keep America Beautiful has worked for more than 50 years to inspire individuals and organizations to be more environmentally responsible. Keep America Beautiful engages more than 1,200 local affiliates and participating organizations across the nation to create cleaner, greener and more livable communities through efforts like the Great American Cleanup.
Recycling a package or product after it's been used is a good way to help our planet but not everyone thinks about how they might be able to be earth friendly when they acquire products. Here at Framewoods we have several environmentally friendly ways to create your framing design so that you can stay green even as you preserve your treasured pictures and memorabilia. From environmentally friendly frames created with sustainable wood sources to our 100% cotton mats.
One of our favorite mat suppliers Crescent RagMat just joined the ranks of supporters for Keep America Beautiful. "We’re proud to join the ranks of other leading companies like The Glad Products Company; Pepsi-Cola Company; The Scotts Miracle-Gro Company and the Solo Cup Company in their support of Keep America Beautiful." a Crescent representative says. And we are please to support Crescent in their efforts for a greener earth.
The RagMat line of matboard has always been made with 100% cotton and provides an acid free, conservation environment for your frame design. We have prefered this mat product over paper mats for the past several years because:
Cotton is a sustainable product that reduces the use of trees for matting and mounting boards
Cotton has a natural, lasting brightness that does not require extensive chemical processing
RagMat is designed to preserve and beautify the cherished artwork and photography of individuals
So despite the natural beauty and conservation qualities of the Crescent RagMat line of matboard we can also be assured to be helping to Keep America Beautiful. Please come in to see our selection of frames and learn more about the quality of Crescent RatMat.
Design Studio Hours: Monday – Friday, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. and Saturday, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Need a gift that is quick and will allow your loved one to have the fun of framing their memories? "Art Bucks" Gift cards may be purchased online or at the store in denominations of $25, $50, $75, or $100. Framewoods of Topeka Gift Certificate Cards make the perfect gift for any occasion! Gift certificates are good as cash for anything in the store — custom framing, gifts and even artwork at SouthWind Gallery! Framewoods.com
