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Tuesday, May 21, 2013

HELP! I am Having Trouble with the Image Preview Function

One of the benefits of using our website for custom picture frame design is it's preview feature. We offer the ability to upload a jpeg of your artwork and visualize it in the frame treatment you create before placing an order. 

It is an easy and accessible way to frame from the comfort of your own space and schedule. 

Here is an example of how it works.


Within the workflow, we give the prompt: "Would you like to preview your art in the frame?"
Hit 'browse", select your file, and upload into the frame treatment. It's the starting point for
customizing frames, boards, glazing and image sizes.


Once the image upload is complete, enter it's dimensions and proceed through the workflow.


Lately, we've been receiving feedback that this preview feature is problematic. We are aware that our site is not compatible with some of the latest browsers and are working on a major upgrade that our team is working to implement by mid-July (I'll keep you posted on that one). 

In the meantime, I'd like to pass on some advice from our Customer Service team.

If you are experiencing trouble using the latest versions of Safari, Chrome or Firefox, try using an earlier version to see if that helps with the compatibility issue. If the issue persists, try using Internet Explorer. If you are using Explorer and still experiencing difficulty uploading, please go to the address line a the top of the web page and click the compatibility icon. That should make your system work with our web site.

I truly appreciate your patience with this feature and if you need further assistance, call us at (800) 537-0944, M-F, 8:30 -5:30 EST.

On a totally different note, I want to close this blog entry by extending our sympathies to the victims of the devastating Oklahoma tornado.  Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Laura





Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Discontinued Frame: Eco-Care 84785


Yes, the Eco-Care 84785 Hazelnut has been discontinued by the manufacturer and is no longer available. For a similar look, check out the 316516 Basics Cherry. Contact us if you're interested in a free sample to check the finish before ordering.

Monday, May 13, 2013

Help! How Do I Add Frames to the Shopping Cart?


I’m trying to place this order and your site won’t allow me to place my frame package in the shopping cart? What do I do?


 
Problem Order - See messages below configuration.


Thank you for contacting us about the problem you are having ordering on the website.  When there is not an option offered to “Add to Cart”, there is some type of material constraint with the order. 

I created a quick sample to illustrate. This screen capture from the "Review Configuration" page advises the customer to resize the art work or remove item: in this case the issue is with the mat board. 

Our website will not process requests for mat boards over 30" x 38". If the frame size is over 72 united inches (length + width) the website will also prevent orders for both acrylic and mounting board from being placed. 

Large, assembled wood frames over 54 united inches will be subject to an oversize shipping and handling fee, even in instances where free ground shipping applies. We can avoid this charge by shipping your wood frames unassembled. Metal frames are always shipped unassembled regardless of the size. 

Here is a screen capture of an appropriately sized frame package. Notice the blue button?




For more details, visit our Shipping Information page.

Make sense? Let me know if you have any questions.  





Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Come Celebrate with Us!



Take 25% off any product or service over $100, including gift certificates*

Thank you for helping American Frame celebrate 40 fantastic years in DIY framing!  Our gift to you is 25% off your next order of $100 or more, any time in the next thirty days.  “Operation 25” can be used on any combination of products and services.  Use your discount to purchase a $100 gift certificate for $75* and you can use it to make a purchase any time in the next year!
To claim this offer, please call us 1-888-628-3840 (M-F, 8:30am - 5:30pm EST)and mention Operation 25.  Our offer is good through April 15. Our smiling staff is eager to help you.

Thursday, March 7, 2013

5 Tips for Framing a Historic Newspaper


This blog post was guest written for us by Guy Heilenman, President of Timothy Hughes Rare & Early Newspapers.
Properly framing an antique newspaper offers long-term protection, looks attractive on display, and is a great conversation piece. A framed, original newspaper can also be a unique gift that a friend or loved one will cherish for a lifetime.
 
President Lincoln! Framed up beautifully in quarter sawn oak from our Arts&Crafts Collection

 

Why Frame A Newspaper?


Framing an original newspaper to commemorate a special or significant moment is a great way to recall fond memories of a special time in your life or the life of someone close to you. When put on display, a newspaper stored in a high-quality frame will last for years and years, preserving it for future generations to enjoy and treasure.
We, Rare & Early Newspapers do not offer framing services directly, because we want to maintain our focus on acquiring, accurately describing, and selling the historic newspapers themselves. We can ship your newspaper directly to American Frame if you wish. Be sure to let them know to anticipate its delivery by calling 800-537-0944.
 
What an exciting time this was! Framed in a classy presentation of Traditional Silver and archival Black.
 

5 Tips to Remember


1.       The edges of older newspapers are not always perfectly square like photos or other commonly framed items. Depending on your taste, you might prefer to have the newspaper placed on top of a full mat, separated from the glazing with a spacer, foregoing traditional style matting (in which a window is cut in a piece of matting to slightly overlap the item underneath). Or, American Frame can custom cut single or multiple mat windows to fit your article or full newspaper.

2.       We highly recommend having the entire issue hung or hinged within the frame. If your custom framer is not familiar with hinging artwork, you should find another framer or frame the piece yourself. Here is an acid free linen tape suitable for this task. If the pages are loose and you decide to frame only the page containing the key content, store the remainder of the issue behind the mat board so as to not lose it. 

3.      Use only archival materials when selecting mat and backing boards so no acids transfer from the framing material to the newspaper (Virtually all professional framers use archival material today.) Mount your work on a black archival mat board (to prevent text and photo ghosting) and stiffen by taping it to a mounting board to the size you want. Give your newspaper space and dimension by adding a custom cut top mat in any color you care to display! Favorites are black, white and cream.

4.       Select UV-filtering glass to filter out much of the ultraviolet rays which may, in time, damage the newspaper if exposed to sunlight.

5.       Even with UV-filtering glass, be sure to hang the newspaper in a location where little or no direct sun will fall on the frame throughout the day.

Finding Your Newspaper


We can help you find the perfect newspaper gift to frame. Visit the Timothy Hughes Rare & Early Newspapers gift issues page to get started!

Timothy Hughes Rare & Early Newspapers has been a dealer in rare and historic newspapers for more than 35 years. They are acknowledged as one of the top collectors and dealers of original and historic newspapers in the world. Every item they offer is guaranteed to be absolutely genuine, original, and as described.

Thursday, February 28, 2013

Introducing Four New American-Made Solid Wood Canvas Floater Frames




We are so excited to launch this collection of four brand new American Hardwood floater frames designed especially for displaying deeper works of art on canvas.  If a combination of simplicity, sharpness and enduring warmth is what you crave, take a look at what these new frames can do for your canvas.

These sleek beauties take the modernist aesthetic of floating canvas with its sleek, crisp edge and a minimalist L-shaped profile. Made in America of solid wood and finished with natural stains, their style is underpinned by the superb quality and craftsmanship you have come to expect from American Frame.  Choose from one of four beautiful tones: Ebonized Walnut, Natural Maple, Cherry and Natural Walnut.  
Here is an example of a canvas using a 1/2" float between the painting and the frame in Natural Walnut. See how the art appears to be suspended in rather than attached to the frame? A beautiful, modern, quality art treatment.

These frames are simply striking. They will stand 2” off the wall and can accommodate canvases up to 1 ½” deep with a float of up to ½” between the edge of the canvas and the frame. Remember that unlike a traditional picture frame, a canvas floater attaches to the stretcher bar from the back of your canvas, allowing the work to appear as if it is suspended in space. There is no need to order any other framing materials like acrylic, mat board or backing boards. All that is needed is the frame and hanging wire. As always, we will join the corners for frames up to 54 united inches and pre-drill the holes for securing the canvas to your frame unless you ask us not to.

If you have any particular questions about measuring or ordering your custom canvas floater frame, feel free to Ask Mike or contact customer service at (800) 537-0944 M-F 8:30 – 5:30.

As it’s our 40th year (and we are in love with the number 40), we decided to introduce these frames at a 40% discount through March 13, 2013. Take advantage! What a great time to try something new!

Monday, February 18, 2013

Exciting Low Residency MFA Program in Illustration Presented by Guest Blogger Shauna Leva


In today’s world there are many different reasons to want to return to school whether it be to further your career, sharpen your skills, or meet the minimum requirements for a teaching position. But if you are a successful working illustrator, you may not think that you have time to earn your graduate degree without interrupting your income, and falling further from your goals. You may have a family to support, and taking time off from work just isn’t an option right now. If this sounds like you then a Low-Residency Program may be the solution. In this Low-Residency program, you are considered a full time student, so you are eligible for student loans, but you only attend classes for four weeks out of the year. Four weeks away from home out of fifty-two weeks in the year, and you can earn that MFA degree in two years and two weeks! There aren’t many options out there when it comes to Low-Residency. 
University of Hartford MFA Students in Low Residency Program

In fact, the University of Hartford offers the only Low Residency Master of Fine Arts program in the country dedicated specifically to illustration. The cornerstones of the program are the three intensive two-week summer residencies in consecutive Julys at the University of Hartford’s campus in Hartford, CT. Between these two-week studio and lecture-packed residencies, students meet one week each November and one week each March in various cities across the United States with the leading illustrators and illustration entrepreneurs in that area. Graduation from the program is always held at the end of the third two-week summer residency at the University of Hartford. Students enrolled in the program are given assignments to work on throughout the year, but only have to be away from work and family for four weeks out of the year and can devote their time to their careers.

The program was conceived and is directed by internationally renowned illustrator, educator and illustration historian, Murray Tinkelman. Murray has over 50 years of teaching experience including over 35 years experience in organizing and leading successful low residency graduate programs. Murray was also awarded the prestigious Distinguished Educator in the Arts award in 1999 by the Society of Illustrators.

Classroom Lecture by Murray Tinkelman
As you can see, great art deserves great frames!

The program is fully accredited by NASAD and NEASC.  There are still openings in the next incoming class and the rolling admissions deadline for a July 2013 start is May 31st, 2013.
You can find more information about this program on the website: http://hartfordillustrationmfa.org, or the blog (Squint) www.hartfordillustration.com.  You can also connect with students through Facebook, LinkedIn, or Twitter where my blog is being featured as we speak!








---Fact Sheet----

This program is the ONLY Low Residency MFA dedicated exclusively to illustration.

The low residency format provides professional illustrators and designers an attractive and accessible opportunity to work with the country's top illustrators and illustration educators while refining their skills and techniques, expanding their creative intellect, shaping their illustration career into a business, while pursuing an MFA in Illustration.

Our students all have some professional experience in the field.

They are committed to the field of illustration and share their passion and professionalism with equally committed classmates. Many of them are also teaching illustration at the college and university level.

Our students are typically non-traditional and range in age from approximately 25 to 55. Both students and faculty come from all over the country to our July contact periods in Hartford.

PROGRAM

         This program accepts 20 students by rolling admissions each year with classes starting in July.

         All students are considered full-time for the duration of the program and are eligible for student loans.

         All studio classes are team taught, making the student/faculty ratio very conducive to learning.

         The thesis is a body of illustrations that students plan to sell.

         Our thesis advisors are professional illustrators and attend each contact period, as well as always remaining accessible by email and phone.

PROGRAM STRUCTURE (2 years and 2 weeks)
Three intensive 2-week July residencies at the Hartford Art School, University of Hartford. Our faculty comes to Hartford from across the country to teach each July.

Four 1-week contact periods (1 week each November and 1 week each March) at selected cities nationally where substantial numbers of high profile illustrators work and reside: New York NY, Pasadena/LA CA, San Francisco CA, and Fort Worth/Dallas, TX.

Each of these professional illustrators, art directors, and illustration representatives present their work to our students and conclude with an open discussion relative to their work and the illustration profession at large. Students share in the expertise of these professionals and gain insight into the similarities and differences illustrators face in different markets and regions across the country.


APPLICATION PROCESS

Every prospective student completes an extensive phone interview with Murray and Carol Tinkelman so that the student can decide whether the program is a good fit for them.
During the interview process, we communicate our mission, vision and values to the prospective student while educating them on how they can successfully complete a low residency MFA while still attending to their illustration and design businesses, their teaching commitments and their families.

Prospective students then send a website address or a CD with at least 10 images of their work to Murray Tinkelman for review.

Upon acceptance of your portfolio the registration process begins.

The Hartford Art School is accredited by NASAD.

The University of Hartford is accredited by NEASC.
About the Author:
Shauna Leva is an alumnus of the Hartford Art School now emplyed by the MFA in Illustration Program as head of advertising and social media management. She works under the program administrator to try and spread the word about this small yet exciting program. She is also an illustrator herself and a fan of American Frame.