Interesting Shadowbox

This shadowbox created and built by NFA was presented by the ETSU Buccaneer Athletics Department to Paul Hoilman during halftime of the basketball game Saturday, 11/20. (BTW, ETSU won the basketball game.)

Cheap Price

I went to the local "mall store" and said "I want a navy Armani suit." The salesperson said, "That will be $1000." To which I said, "But at Sears, I can buy a navy suit for $200. I want all the quality, design, and features of the Armani for the same price." What do you think the salesperson said to me?

One of the common obstacles in custom framing is price "comparisons." It is so easy to look at 2 similar framings and wonder why one costs more, maybe a lot more, than the other. I can't speak for any other custom framers, only Nelson Fine Art and Tree House Custom Framing. You will never find corrugated cardboard in anything we do. The only mats and backing we use are conservation grade. On top of that, you get the experience and expertise. We've been framing for more than 20 years. The 2 shops have combined 66 years of existence. We read trade publications on framing, color, design and trends. We can do budget, but we also guide you to excellent framing decisions.

Besides, do you want the cheapest?

Latest exhibit at the Nelson

Transverse Orientation: recent paintings & drawings by ETSU students- opens Friday November 5 from 7-9 p.m. If you've never been to an opening at Nelson Fine Art, then you are missing the biggest ongoing event in Downtown Johnson City. For the past 9 years we've hosted hundreds of local artists in our monthly shows. The ETSU painting and drawing students represent the future of the field. Be prepared to be intrigued and challenged and maybe even offended a little. We will have food from Earth Fare and wine and music from Pat Whisnant. It's always fun.

Gallery going Solar

Nelson Fine Art is the recipient of a Solar Installation Grant to help pay for the installation of solar array modules. $9M of federal stimulus money was allocated to Tennessee with applications accepted beginning June 21 this year. By late September it was completely awarded. 2 upper East Tennessee businesses were among those statewide receiving the grant. We were one! Our application was in by the beginning of August and we made it through the approval process in just 6 weeks. I must give credit to Lightwave Solar for making the process smooth and seamless. They will be handling the whole project. The local newspaper, Johnson City Press, had a nice piece in todays (10/4/10) paper.

I realize this has nothing to do with art or framing, but it puts us in place to be better stewards of energy not to mention instant savings on our electric bill!

Site back up (soon)

After about a year of using only this Blog and Facebook, we will have our website operational again thanks to Web Patch. The site, www.nelsonartcenter.com will be the center of the Gallery universe. Thank you for looking.

DN

Using fillets

When a framer builds a frame for your artwork, he/she will build it slightly larger than the piece to go into it. That's called the "allowance" and the industry average is 1/8". The reasons for an allowance are many, but mainly to allow for expansion and contraction over time of the mats, artwork, or frame. It also allows a framer differences in calibration between mat cutters, glass cutters and frame building. When we use a fillet(some say fill-AY and some say FILL-it) in your mat or frame, there is no room for allowances. Everything must be exact. A fillet creates a very custom look and will make a simple plain framing into a showpiece. Expect it to be a little pricey, but I've never had anyone say, "darn I think it would have looked better with it." Here's a nice video from one of our suppliers on use of fillets.

How much does custom framing cost?

Daily, we have calls asking for a quote on framing a picture. Most people who call for a quote have never been to a custom framer so they are unfamiliar with the selection process. The key here, though, is the opportunity to earn a new customer through a very vague price quote that will never be accurate. If we say, for instance, her framing will be around $100, and she has already called someone else who said it would be around $80, then the customer may go to the "other place" even though their selection and expertise are both lacking. On the other hand, if we quote $100 and she comes in and the actual price is $150 or more, then the customer may be skeptical even though we were adamant when giving the phone quote, that the price will likely be different. Then, there's the 3rd hand which says, don't give quotes over the phone. A potential customer who bases it all upon a price before coming in has no concept of the potential beauty. On the other hand, if we get the customer in, we may be able to begin the process education. On the other hand, if she is basing her decisions upon price, then can she be swayed to appreciate the beauty of her framed piece. So, I still haven't answered my own question.