Small Businesses Support Local Families

It can't be escaped. Over and over in all media sources we see information about the state of our economy, how to fix it, or when it might get better.

As a small business owner, I can only judge how the economy is doing by looking at how my business has faired during these difficult times. Over the past 5 years we have scrutinized our budgets and business plan to try to make ourselves as efficient as possible. As I try to understand what has kept us going through this economy, I always determine in the end that it has been the loyalty of our amazing customers.

As a business that has been in Lakewood for over 50 years, we have gained families of customers who have been coming to us for generations. Many times customers will drop by just to let us know what's new with them and their loved ones. We are so happy that our customers see us not just as professionals, but also friends. Many of our customers are active in programs that support our community. We often support those programs in their fundraising efforts.
All of us know businesses that are dear to us. Now more than ever it is so important to support these local people. By supporting them, you are keeping your dollars in your hometown. More than likely those business owners will turn around and spend those dollars locally or use them to support local causes.

Take your support one step further and write a review of those businesses online. There are many websites devoted to online reviews, Yelp and Google Reviews are just two of them. By writing a review, you are helping their business have a higher listing priority when people do an online search for their products or services. By doing so, you are helping to drive customers to that business and ensuring that they will be there the next time you want their product or service.

Thank you to everyone who shops locally. Now, more than ever, small businesses appreciate you!

Spring Brings Light and Color to Lakewood Gallery

I'm so happy that spring is finally here! The birds are chirping, flowers are blooming and the trees are beginning to bare their leaves. I took our big sign out of the front window and was blinded by the bright sunshine streaming in. Contemplating what to put up for a new window display, I brought some of our glass art pieces into the light and saw them come alive for the first time in months! That settled it for me, I loaded the front window with bright, cheery, blown and cast glass pieces in all colors. I didn't stop there... I hung on the walls some beautiful little floral original oil paintings by Karen Luke Fildes, flower field originals by Francoise Dubruille, and tulip fields by Rie Munoz. To top off the spring look in the gallery, I hung a uniquely framed wedding portrait by local photographer Kris Allen.

It is amazing how some light and color can energize a person! I was inspired to create feature displays for three glass artists that we represent at Lakewood Gallery & Framing. The first is Marcus Harper, a Browns Point artist who works with glass that is cast and cold-worked. We are so used to seeing blown glass in this region that his work is an interesting departure. With a focus on layering color and texture, his pieces are typically thick blocks of glass with a depth that can only truly be admired in person. After the pieces are cast, Marcus cold works them with a saw to give more texture and interest. Marcus recently had his work acquired by the Smithsonian Museum.

We have represented local glass blowing artist Jeau Bishop for many years and customers are sure to recognize his work from seeing it here. Jeau's glass is beautiful in color and grace and almost appears to be liquid at times. The colors change readily as the piece is moved in and out of the light giving it a life of its own. Jeau produces a wide range of size, color and texture and has even created a system for his disc-shaped pieces to be hung on a wall.

Finally, we are featuring the blown glass and jewelry by the young people of Hilltop Artists. Hilltop Artists has been helping at-risk youth for ten years by teaching them a skill that allows them to express themselves in a healthy way. We are proud to feature this student-produced work and encourage you to directly support their program by purchasing their glass. Priced very accessibly, this is a great way to own a beautiful piece of art while supporting our community.

I invite you to stop by the gallery and bask in our light and color - I know I'm definitely enjoying it!

Don't Forget the Frame IN Your Next Photo

Anyone who's a fan of ABC's "Modern Family" (like me!) knows about their great opening credits featuring each family framed within a frame within a frame (see picture). Framing is something that I know a little bit about, and since I've started watching "Modern Family" I've noticed that other people have taken this framing idea and run with it.

Milestone photos are common and people are always looking for ideas to make their portraits a little more creative and unique. Whether its a wedding, maternity or baby photo, bring a frame into the picture with you. People love the details in a picture, and by holding an empty picture frame, you can show people exactly what you want them to focus on.

There are plenty of bold, funky and fun frames on the market right now (we just got samples in that have faux giraffe and zebra fur). Or find one second-hand and paint it the color you want. Go the extra mile and frame the finished photo in the same frame you're holding in the picture. You get an amazing picture-within-picture effect.

Oval and round frames work great with round, baby-filled bellies or sweet little newborns all curled up. Or, as one example shows, frame a chalkboard with your own personal message or the child's name and include it in the picture.

There will always be wedding, maternity and baby photos. Liven them up with a fun idea. As mega-pixel cameras become more affordable and easier to use, formal portraits have fallen by the wayside. Get out your camera, tap into your creativity and have fun. But don't forget to include the frame, the possiblities are endless!

Quiz - What's Your Style?

It's one of the first things I'll ask a customer when choosing a frame design - "What style is your home?" It's amazing how many people don't know the answer. I hear a lot of "I'll know it when I see it." Your style is reflected in most everything that you choose for yourself: items for your home, clothing, accessories, food, restaurants, stores where you prefer to shop. It's time to put that style into words.


I've assembled several images of picture frames, all very different styles. Pick which frames you like best and see if the description of that style suits you. This is a fun little quiz that just may give you a name to your style!

1. Ornate - Were you the first of your friends to start using the term "bling"? Do you scoff at the phrase "less is more"? This "peacock" frame is heavily ornamented with a deep gold finish. It's like sending your artwork into Tiffany's with a charge card.

2. Bold - Colored lacquer frames are very hot right now and this one is definitely a showstopper. Can you be found thumbing through the latest "Vogue" and diving into the latest trends with the fearlessness of a model walking in 10 inch platform stillettos? Consider yourself bold!

3. Mountain Cabin - This burl wood frame shows off the amazing grain of the wood itself. It is a favorite with people who appreciate the natural beauty of wood. Watch out for that cougar!

4. Tribal - The perfect style for someone who hasn't missed an episode of Survivor since the 90s. Rugged and raw, it is perfect on the barkwood painting you picked up on your last expedition.

5. Renaissance - Do you own a pointy princess hat? Or a dragon collection? This heavily ornamented frame is carved as beautifully as the wooden door on a castle in the forest. Hand finished in Italy by Italian artisans and hardworking fairies.

6. Rustic - Do you like the idea of ripping slats off of a barn and using them to decorate your home? Do you use the terms "upcycling" and "repurposing"? This frame literally gives me slivers when I work with it. It's a raw as you can get.

7. Romantic - Ok be honest, how many romantic comedy DVDs do you own? You know they're all the same story, right? Ok, ok, I won't argue! You romantics never give up. This deep red frame with sgrafitto is perfect for falling in love.

8. Contemporary - Does it seems like inanimate objects are yelling at you with all of their ornamentation? This frame is quiet, sleek and refined like a fine piece of modern art. For art that wants to be noticed and silently framed in simplicity and grace.

9. Traditional - Have you eaten the same breakfast every day since you can remember? Always stick with something that's tried and true. Traditional framing has framed art for hundreds of years beautifully, and isn't going anywhere anytime soon (don't worry!).

Did you find your style? Or maybe some new styles you'd like to try? Whatever your style is - give it a name so that the next time someone asks you'll know just the answer.