Our staff is what separates us from other frame shops in the Twin Cities! All of our designers/framers have many years of picture framing experience! You won’t get this kind of design help and quality craftsmanship just anywhere!
Tim Smith
At Carter Ave. Frame Shop Tim Smith holds the distinction of being the only Master of Divinity on staff. While studying at seminary, Tim worked part-time at a frame shop to help make ends meet. Impressed by his work, his employer asked him if he would be interested in purchasing Carter Ave. Frame Shop with him. During his final year at seminary, Tim became the co-owner of Carter Ave. Frame Shop back in its tiny, original location off the parking lot of Milton Square. Eventually Tim bought out his partner and became the sole owner. Tim became one of the first Certified Picture Framers in Minnesota way back in 1986.
Tim has been taking guitar lessons and practicing a lot. He enjoys listening to records in his new music room. He remains involved with his church, St. Michael’s, where he plays his guitar for worship services. He and his wife Karen enjoy cooking, entertaining, traveling, and gardening. They recently bought a 1916 bungalow in St. Anthony Park and are busy sharing it with friends and keeping the garden beautiful. Tim is a proud father with two adult sons, Andy and Michael. Tim has taken to riding his road bike often and completed his first century ride (100 miles). You’ll also find him sitting in the front row of his favorite jazz club listening to some hot tunes.
Pam Johnson
The picture framing saga of Pam Johnson began over eighteen years ago when she was co-owner of an art gallery. Like many gallery owners, she started with little experience, but developed her picture framing skills quickly.
As a life-long resident, she appreciates the changing seasons of Minnesota. However, the wintry, cold weather is not her favorite. Pam has two children, Kayla and Nick, who are both currently in college. In her spare time, Pam keeps busy exercising the family’s golden retriever, going to hockey games, reading mysteries, and watching British comedies and movies set in Victorian times.
Of picture framing, Pam says, “The best part is seeing a finished product that’s designed well.” She adds that, “It’s a whole lot more interesting than selling shoes,” her first job during high school.
Jenny Bell Nielsen
We are happy to welcome our newest “old” designer/framer, Jenny Bell Nielsen. Jenny worked at Carter Ave. Frame Shop from 1991-1994 and left when she was pregnant with her first child. Well, that baby Sophie is now a sixteen-year-old Junior at Como Senior High. So Jenny is back to share her creativity and framing skills with us again.
Jenny grew up “on a hippie farm” in central Wisconsin, near Almond, WI. She graduated from the College of St. Catherine with a fine arts degree and a concentration in printmaking. She started her picture framing career in a production shop out west before joining the staff at Carter Ave. Frame Shop.
Jenny has continued her creative pursuits painting, card-making, doing floral design, sewing, and decorating their home. Jenny is married to Barry Nielsen and has two daughters, Sophie and Lydia, a seventh-grader at Murray Junior High. She likes to read, knit, play guitar and sing, play softball, and listen to live music, especially at her favorite venue, the Turf Club. She and Barry enjoy attending their girls’ school events including track, cross-country, and nordic skiing meets.
We’re glad she’s back!
Hours
Contact Info
(651) 645-7862
2186 Como Ave.
St. Paul, MN 55108
In St. Anthony Park two blocks east of Bibelot and Muffuletta
