Some elves visited the Oak Park store this week to get everything ready for the holidays. Shop local and shop small this season. Frame Warehouse has gifts for everyone on your list. Custom frame a family photo or purchase a framed art print, Frame Warehouse’s friendly employees are there to assist you.
Needlepoint, Embroidery and Cross Stitch
Few frame shops have the experience to properly handle your fabric art. Here at Frame Warehouse we have 40 years of experience handling needlepoint, embroidery, cross stitch and fabrics of all kinds. Silk scarves brought back from the fashion houses of Paris, carpets from Persia, fabric art from India, South and Central America and Africa, silk paintings from Japan and China, we have seen and framed it all.
Let’s focus on needlepoint. All needlepoint begins with the blocking process. In the photo below you can see the needlepoint art being blocked so it is square. This process involves hand stretching the needlepoint and leaving it sit stretched so it becomes square for framing.
Next, the fabric is hand sewn down to an acid free board prior to beginning the framing process. There are lots of different ways to frame fabric but sewing is the most archival of all. Many frame stores simply glue or tape fabric down and we are frequently called to reframe these properly as the tape or glue gives way over time or discolors the fabric.
I mentioned above the acid free backing board that we use. You may have a fabric piece in your home that was framed many years ago and chances are it was not done with acid free materials. Feel free to bring your piece in or call to discuss how we can upgrade your fabric art to full archival. With blocking and hand sewing the wonderful folk art quality of any fabric piece is preserved. We hope you consider us on your next framing project!
Works by Local Artist Steven Fisher
The fabulous painter and print maker Steve Fisher signing prints of his influential Lake Theater painting at Frame Warehouse.
We have proudly sold Steve’s original art work for many years and we are exceedingly happy to sell these wonderfully done giclee’ prints. Printed with archival inks on a high quality paper these prints will look vibrant for a long time.
Why not consider investing in a Steve Fisher original painting? We have a great selection of his iconic work featuring the local landmarks that are often overlooked.
Friends moving in to town? Friends leaving?
Why not gift them a Steve Fisher print or painting. They are a joy to look at every day with their intense colors and Steve’s two fisted visual approach.
Howard Chandler Christy Poster Restoration
Howard Chandler Christy was the preeminent artist of his day. From his beginnings as a war correspondent artist during the Spanish American War, thru his children’s book and magazine illustrations, prominent portraits, and beautiful murals Christy set the tone for art at the beginning of the 20th Century.
Not many know of the beautiful series of very effective recruiting and bond posters he painted before and during WW 1. The poster below is the rarer large size image and is wonderfully rendered. It is a hard to find this poster in any condition so when one is discovered torn and tattered it is worth taking on the restoration. There was a large amount of tearing and missing pieces along the edges. In the hands of great conservator anything is possible and pricing is reasonable. Call us to discuss your next project!
The Annual OPRF High School Art Show
Frame Warehouse once again hosted the top 25 student artists Oak Park River Forest award ceremony. This time of year we are busy framing all of the student art for our annual donation to the school. Each year we continue to be astounded by the high quality work of the students and the esprit de corps they display. It doesn’t get better than the Art department at OPRF!!!! Thank you everyone!!!
