We’re proud to have been named an Angie’s List Super Service Award recipient for 2007, given annually to companies that achieved and maintained a superior service rating on the list (www.angieslist.com) throughout the year.  This is the second year in a row that Carter Ave. has earned this honor.  More than 283,000 companies have been put on the list by consumers, and fewer than 5% are eligible for the recognition.  Carter Ave. is the only Twin Cities Frame Shop to receive this recognition for 2006 and 2007.

Angie’s List is where consumers share their ratings and reviews on the local companies they hire.  Members of Angie’s List also check the list for highly rated companies before they hire.  Company ratings are based strictly on feedback from members of Angie’s List.  Companies cannot pay to be on the list, nor can they put themselves on the list.  We’re proud of our service and of this recognition!

 

  
• Use good picture hooks. The ones we give you have hardened steel pins that do very little damage to your wall, but hold a lot of weight. Never use just a nail. It is easy for the wire to slip off causing the picture to fall.
• Generally, pictures should be hung at eye level. In rooms where people are mostly seated, hang pictures lower.
• Think about traffic flow when you place your art. Places that can be seen while passing through a space are great places for art. Entryways, the ends of halls, and the wall facing a door are just a few good places for art placement.
• Put your best art in the places that give you the most visual impact. In the entry, above the sofa, and above the fireplace are usually great places for art.
• When hanging art above furniture, be sure to hang the art low enough so that it relates to the furniture. Think about the table, lamp, and art as a grouping. Sometimes having the art somewhat off-center can be more interesting than centered, especially when balanced by a lamp or other object.
• Be sure your art is scaled appropriately for its location. Nothing is worse than a small picture above a big sofa or bed. Single large pieces of art are needed to balance large furniture or heavy fireplaces. Save your groupings of smaller pieces for more intimate spots like hallways.

Mistakes to avoid:

• Art that is too small for its location
• Too many groupings of small pictures – looks cluttered
• Hanging art you don’t care about
• Hanging art too high
• Not placing art in connection with furniture and accessories

 

Even some of our long-time customers are surprised to learn of all the special services we offer. So here is a reminder of some of our offerings:

• In-home and in-office art and framing consultations
• Picture hanging services
• Paper conservation
• Oil painting cleaning and restoration
• Photograph restoration
• Pickup and delivery
• Original art from local to national artists
• Special ordering of posters
• Commercial framing and installation
• Engraved plates
• Framing visualization system
• Rush order accommodation
• Specialty mat cutting
• Shadow boxes

Fans of John August Swanson, please come to Carter Ave. Frame Shop as soon as possible! You will want to see John’s latest serigraph The Procession, the most spectacular of all of John’s work. It is a reworking of his 1980 painting, now in the collection of the Vatican Museum’s Collection of Modern Religious Art. The image is a mosaic of images melded together in a procession inspired by the great churches and cathedrals of the world. John’s technical skill was put to the test. The image required 89 drawings – one for each of the 89 colors. His use of glazes, electric colors, and amazing detail makes this piece his masterwork. Here is what John has to say about The Procession:   

The great procession is a celebration of life and faith where the rich and poor march in unison; the strong carry the weak, and the weak humble the proud; those who know the dance teach those who are just learning; and a child lifts high the banner for all to follow in joy, in peace, in love. This is the reality, the spirit I want to make real in this work.