In case you haven’t heard, the economy is rather soft right now.  It is clearly time to hunker down, re-evaluate your values and priorities, and act according to those values.  All this means for you, a person of taste and sophistication, that it is time to buy art.  It is also time to listen to live music, eat good food and drink good wine with people you care about, take the time to chat with your neighbors, and get involved in helping others in your community.  Consider also exercising more, getting out in nature, planting a garden, going out dancing, and calling your mother.  But this is your favorite frame shop and gallery’s newsletter, so let’s focus on that first thing – buying art. 

      

 New Offerings – Good Values 

I went to Las Vegas in January and New York in February to find new art worthy of your consideration.  I came back with some great pieces.  Of course, I had an eye for value as I was shopping.  I found some incredible deals on posters printed by a Korean company that has some proprietary printing process that allows them to produce amazing quality posters for affordable prices.  Their posters are mostly museum posters, but with foils and three-dimensional elements on high quality paper.  They look like originals, but at the price of a poster.  There are also a selection of European scenes, landscapes, abstracts, and urban landscapes from another good publisher.   

 

Good value does not always mean cheap, however.  I also bought some of the most expensive pieces we have ever had in the store, but they are worth it.  My absolute favorite piece is a figure by Terry Hallman, an artist who studied at MCAD, and has made it big with her rich figural multi-layered paintings.   Says Hallman, “It is in the layers in my art that expose the passage of time.  Each completed work possesses a unique history in which the layers represent the way things were, and the finished piece defines the way things are.”  I must confess, I am captivated by all her paintings. 

I found some unusual landscapes and florals, and some just plain beautiful pieces.  We have a number of oil paintings on canvas at great prices, from still-lifes to landscapes to figures.  I have a soft spot for abstracts, and brought back some very interesting abstracts in mixed media, watercolors, oils, and acrylics.   

Other beautiful new offerings to brighten your living space include antique design prints, engravings, botanicals, and architectural images.  We also scored some antique engravings and photo gravures. 

 

Other Places to Buy Art 

Of course, Carter Ave. Frame Shop is not the only place you can buy good art.  Consider looking for art in your travels, at art fairs, and directly from artists you know.  There are a number of good galleries and antique stores in the Twin Cities worth your perusal.  Check out the Twin Cities Gallery Guide at www.twincitiesfinearts.org/galleryguide.html.  Online art shopping can be a blast, but be careful.  Know what you are buying and be sure you are buying from a reputable dealer.   

My guess is that lately you are thinking more about what is important in life.  Economic hardship has a way of doing that to us.  We have been thinking a lot, too.  We love having the opportunity to help you find art you love.  We love helping you show off art you love with good design and framing.  And we really appreciate your business.  Thank you!  Now get out there and buy some art! 

Tim Smith

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Your kind referrals to friends, family, and business associates are what keep us in business.  Nothing is as satisfying for us as serving you well enough to warrant a referral.  Thank you, and keep spreading the word!

We have two traveling art shows that are available for your church or organization at no cost.  The two shows are the serigraphs of John August Swanson and the giclees of the St. John’s Bible.  Please contact Tim for more information at 651-645-7862.  Tim is also available for talks highlighting the work shown in these two shows.

       

What’ on Everyone’s Mind – Value!

Budgets are tight.  The business news is depressing.  Everyone is cutting back and thinking hard about how to spend scarce resources.  Value is in.  Of course, value doesn’t just mean getting something cheaply.  Value means paying what something is worth and no more.  We pride ourselves on the value we offer at Carter Ave. Frame Shop.  We offer  art and framing to fit anyone’s budget.  Our prices are competitive with even the big box stores and our pricing is always honest.  We don’t artificially inflate our prices and then offer “discounts”.  You get good value every day.  We understand tight budgets and have framing options to work with yours.  The following are just a few other Carter Ave. Frame Shop value considerations:

·         Professional design assistance

·         Guaranteed quality materials and craftsmanship

·         Quick and helpful service

·         A business committed to the community – over $60,000 donated to local charities

·         A good employer – above market wages, health insurance, retirement

·         A “green” business – energy efficient and earth friendly, beautiful gardens

·         We strive to be the kind of business you want to do business with

Angie’s List Super Service Award for Third Year in a Row

We’re proud to have received the coveted Angie’s List Super Service Award for the third year in a row.  No other Twin Cities Frame Shop has received the award even once.  Angie Hicks, founder of Angie’s List, says the “award reflects the company’s consistently high level of customer service.”  Angie’s List is a referral service that gives members access to reviews of service businesses by other members.  Thank you, Angie’s List members, for your positive reports and referrals.  For more information, see www.angieslist.com.