New Frames!
- At May 04, 2012
- By steve
- In News
- 0
We have just received a shipment of new frames! One of our suppliers sent over the newsiest samples, and there is some really nice ones. I’m really looking forward to using them. Stop by ask to see them!
Framed Kids Craft Project for Mother’s Day
- At April 24, 2012
- By steve
- In Inspiration, Uncategorized
- 0
Mother’s day is coming up, and I always think about showing you something fun for mother’s day, but I get so busy at this time of year that I never get it written up before the day gets here. So here is the one from last year.
The flowers and stems are made from the waxed string that you can get from Tv or some craft shops.
I then just cut an opening, snuck it home so my daughter could sign it and then made a shadow box frame for it. Mom loved it, and it was so much better than candy or a card that just gets thrown away at the end of the week.
Hope everybody has a great Mother’s Day!
Keeping busy!
- At April 20, 2012
- By steve
- In Uncategorized
- 0
At Traditions we feel we’re two businesses in one. The first meets retail customer needs while the second handles commercial clients. With “commercial clients” ranging from hospitality to other frame shops to even government.
Recently a commercial clients asked us to produce 3 prototypes. “Prototype” meaning “framing example” or “proofs.” Deadline? Same day! And while challenging we were able to help.
Later we learned they “loved the work” (which is always great to hear that) and wanted 68 more. In 3 days! Again, we were able to help and even wanted to share images of the effort.
I always think it makes such a great pattern to see them stacked up.
So Why Are You Standing There?
- At August 13, 2011
- By steve
- In Conversation
- 0
This is our original counter at our first location.
So why do most frame shops look like the above photo? Well…..the answer is pretty simple, because they don’t really want you getting too comfortable. Yep… all the ‘professional’ sales books tell you that it should only take 15 minutes to write up a sales order. One of the best ways to do this is to have you, the customer, stand, and place the frame samples behind the counter. One shop I worked at, the owner would even walk behind the customer, and point at his watch after 10 minutes, always distracting and pretty rude in my opinion. When you stand, your legs get sore, and you are willing to speed up the sale, and forgo some of your important questions. When the store puts the samples behind the counter, they get to hand you their most profitable samples, and less of them, so you can make up your mind faster!
When I first opened my shop, I read the books and went to the classes. Soon after I saw my guests moving back and forth on their sore feet I changed from the above (yep that’s my first store), to a lower table and chairs.
Our design counter.
We want you come in, have a seat, and ask us all the questions you may have, we will never put you on a time limit. We even put the samples where you can touch them, feel their quality, and see how they will look with your art work.
A portion of our framing selection for your perusal.
You are welcome to take down two or twenty, the thing we really want is for you is for you to know is all of your options, get all of your questions answered, and feel comfortable with your decisions.
Stop on by, pull up a chair, we are looking forward to meeting you!
What Does Smoking Do to Your Framed Artwork?
- At August 01, 2011
- By Staff
- In Do's and Don'ts
- 0
We are become well-known as the place to turn to for repairs. Even repairs made by other inexperienced framers -although they do mean well. We do “clean-up’s” as well. For example, the above is a piece of glass from another frame job offer to use several weeks ago. The customer wondered why it was so difficult to see the art work. Well after opening the frame assembly, cleaning the glass with a white towel, it was obvious. The towel tells the story. This is what a heavy smoking environment can cause -and this build-up occurred inside of the framing. Now imagine what it’s doing to the rest of the frame’s materials. But, most importantly, your irreplaceable art is declining in value. Quickly.
Smoker’s, here’s how to reduce potential damage to your art:
- Smoking away from your valuable art is a start. I know it’s hardly fun to go outside every time you want to smoke. However, my dad was a smoker and he did it -so you can too.
- Bring your framing in for cleaning. We can replace compromised materials if necessary. The “Conservation Grade” material we use specifically combat elements that “attack” your artwork.
- Finally, place your artwork in locations where you don’t smoke. The further from smoke exposure the art is the longer it’ll last.