Fine Art and Framing Blog

Super Blow Out Moving Sale

2011-07-22T11:33:00.001-07:00

We are no longer accepting custom framing orders. We have sold the buildings and have to be out in a few weeks. Everything must go. Literally yard sale prices on ready made frames and gallery merchandise. Store fixtures, mat board, foam core, moulding, glass and more. Call ahead as we are no longer keeping regular hours. 668-9459

Now Open for the Summer Season

2011-05-26T05:56:00.000-07:00

We are back from Florida. A little later than we originally had planned, but we are back and open for the summer season. Stop by and say hello. Hours are by chance or appointment although we will be here most of the time. Need to place a framing order? Please give us a call at 668-9459 and we'll set an appointment. See You Soon!!!!

Open Again In April

2011-02-14T17:55:00.000-08:00

The frame shop and gallery will re-open in April 2011.

New Locations - Sanford, Florida and Bernhards Bay, New York

2010-08-17T08:50:00.001-07:00

As we prepare to close our Central Square, NY location after 25 years, we look forward to our new locations. We will be open seasonally in Sanford, Florida from November - May and Bernhards Bay, New York, June - October. More information to follow.

The Central Square location will stop accepting orders Aug 31 and will permanently close Sept. 15.

Embossed and Fabric Wrap Treatment

2010-01-15T08:32:00.000-08:00

This antique Indian weaving is thought to be from New Mexico and well over 100 years old.

One of our specialties is custom fabric wraps of mats, liners etc. In this particular case there is nothing exceptional about this frame job but it is an excellent example of a fabric wrap treatment. A piece of foam board is bevel cut and attached to another piece of foam board the same size and the whole thing is covered with fabric. This gives a simple yet very custom look. The depth of the bevel cut foam core allows nice spacing to keep the item away from the conservation glass and a real custom, embossed look. A very simple,understated yet elegant way to treat this piece. Just what our customer wanted.

Irish Flag Frame for Irish Fest Photos

2010-01-14T13:18:00.000-08:00

This customer requested the Irish flag behind the photos. In this case we could have gone out and purchased a small flag to mount the photos on. That would have worked too, but what we did was splice the three mat colors together.

We have done some neat things with spliced mats over the years. I wish I had photos of some of them.

Holiday Orders

2009-12-12T07:46:00.000-08:00

We can handle your Christmas/holiday orders right up until Christmas eve. Please remember though that the longer you wait to place your order the fewer choices you will have. Once we get in under one week before we will not be able to order materials. Our deliveries come in on Monday and our suppliers who ship UPS will charge extra for rush orders and shipping.

We can still fill most orders but you will be limited to supplies (moulding/mats/etc.) that we have in stock.

Marvin Harrison's Jersey

2009-09-29T11:17:00.000-07:00

This is the latest jersey we have framed. All Pro reciever for the Indianapolis Colts and former Syracuse star Marvin Harrison. We had to deliver this as it would not fit into the customers car once it was framed. These pro jerseys are large and when framed take a van or large vehicle to transport them.

Restoration Work

2009-08-05T11:52:00.000-07:00

This Edward J. Elhoff, (American, 1929-1988) painting was rescued from a dumpster in the Albany area. The client brought it in for us to repair some minor damage.

It is amazing what people throw away. This painting titled "Hay Barn" was done in 1968 and is an original acrylic on Masonite. Restored and framed this painting will be valued in the $1,400 -$1,800 range.

We clean and do some limited restoration of paintings. Each is a case by case situation. Works that are especially rare or valuable or restoration we deem too extensive is reffered out to conservators.

Why Trust Big Box Framers?

2009-07-22T05:06:00.000-07:00

The "Big Box" framers use their formidable budgets to do a lot of advertising. Michael's frequently run ads with coupons offering as much as %50 off. The question is, off from what????

The prices they discount from are so over inflated and out of line that even with their coupon most small frame shops are competitive. In head to head price comparisons we almost always come out on top, even after they subtract their bogus coupons. Over the years we have had many a price conscious customer admit to having shopped around, but they always end up back here.

Consider this also. The big box framers send some or all of the work out. Little is done "in house". Just as well, as they often employ unskilled workers who may or may not have any experience.

At Abbott's we have been in business for almost 25 years and Debe and I both worked in other frame shops before we opened our own. I began in the framing business in 1977 and Debe started in 1983. Both of us are artists and have formal training in the arts and framing. We use only "archival" or "conservation" methods and materials. Sure custom framing is expensive. We are skilled professionals and use quality materials. Next time you want something done right, consider these things.

We do everything "in house" with the exception of our "Plak Mounting" service. We have combined experience of almost 60 years in the framing business. Interior decorators, art dealers and antique dealers from all over Central New York seek us out. Our customers over the years have included several of the area's top Museums including the Everson Museum of Art.

We stand behind every job, come in and see why!

Mexican Rug

2009-03-14T11:11:00.001-07:00

This beautiful hand woven rug from Oaxaca, Mexico is float mounted on a fabric covered 1/2" foam board. Fabric covered foam strips were glued into the sides of the frame to create depth by allowing the piece to set back into the frame.

Rock and Roll Memorabilia Frame

2009-01-29T07:32:00.000-08:00

The Doobie Brothers and Chicago are a couple of my favorite bands from the 70's so we had fun with this project. We created a multiple opening shadow mat in a deep frame to display these items from a rock and roll show at Saratoga Performing Arts Center. The customer loved it!

Mardis Gras Frame

2009-01-28T12:45:00.000-08:00

We have done hundreds of shadow box frames over the years. This one displays items from Mardis Gras.