Dick Clark Dead at 82

American Bandstand host Dick Clark has died...

Please read the article... We have lost a longtime icon:

http://tv.msn.com/tv/article.aspx?news=721972

alley fne art / framing

Whether you're a homeowner or an interior designer, your home is your canvas and you are the artist.  Alley Fine Art / Framing can help you create a unique frame design that helps express your personality, style and creativity.  No matter how large or small the piece may be, we know it is important to you to find the perfect combination of frame and mat to suit your needs.  We know that decorating your home is about more than looking good - it's a celebration of who you are and how you live.

We will work with you at our design center until everything is to your liking.  From a cherished memento to the perfect accent in your living room, we will help you design the picture-perfect treatment.  We have hundreds of frame samples and mat colors to choose from, so the possibilities are endless!
 

In most cases we can have your project completed in a few days or less depending upon stock.  We enjoy working with each of our customers individually and work hard to answer whatever questions you may have during the design process.  After all, it is your artwork and we encourage customer participation in the design process.

We guarantee all our materials and workmanship on every project. All materials are acid free and archival quality.

Our Framing services include:

- Large selection of moulding and mat samples
- Needlepoint stretched and framed
- Sports memorabilia
- Creative matting
- Shadowboxes
- Corporate Accounts
- All work done on premises

Makeovers

Use Art & Framing for your Room Makeovers



The square footage of the average American home is 2,500 square feet. Of all the space in that home,
the wall space is usually the most neglected. So why not spruce up your home with some beautiful art and framing? It offers one of the most economical ways to give your living space a new look and
will dramatically change the overall feel of your entire home.



This living room went from
                  empty and cold to warm and inviting
                 by adding prints in sleek gold frames.



     Start by choosing a room that has a
lot of empty wall space. Then call us—
the room makeover experts. Let us add artwork and family photos using just the right matting and frame designs. We can provide framed wall decor that will fit with your furnishings perfectly and will enhance any room. We’ll produce all the elements you need to create an appealing balance that will make your home enjoyable to look at and to live in.

                                                                  

                                                                  

                                                                                                                                    

    We are happy to make house calls and help you choose just the right art from our wide selection or reframe art you already enjoy. We will bring framing and matting samples so you can see first hand how they will look in the rooms you want to liven up. We can also frame your own family photos or heirlooms for a hallway, den, living room, or bedroom, making them part of your everyday lives.

Adding beautifully framed art to bare walls in a
 bedroom made it come alive with color,
creating a peaceful, restful setting

   Let your eyes spend your hours at home looking at beautifully framed art instead of blank walls. Whether your decor is traditional or contemporary, we can help you achieve a whole new look with custom framing. ■

Ways to use mirrors...

Mirrors as Decor

Everyone has mirrors in their home. But how can you make the mirror a focal point
of your room or create an accent to its decor? We can custom make a mirror just
for you—any size, shape or style—to suit your design and decorative needs.
Mirrors are attractively displayed anywhere in the home—an entry hall, dining
room, dressing area, powder room, or over a mantel. A mirror also highlights other
objects in the room, such as a long, narrow table. Different sizes and shapes can
provide a certain atmosphere as well. A trumeau-style mirror will go along with an
antique look whereas an oval leather frame around a mirror offers a more modern
appearance. We have a wide array of moulding samples in assorted shapes, sizes,
and colors that will fit into any home decor. And, magnificent mirrors can be created
 just for you. Any mirror framed with moulding in any style—wood, leather, metal,
gold leaf, silver leaf—can find a place in your home decor. So stop by and see for
yourself!

News of Artist's Passing

Thomas Kinkade dies at 54; artist was called the 'Painter of Light'

California artist Thomas Kinkade, the "Painter of Light" whose brushwork paintings of idyllic landscapes, cottages and churches were big sellers for dealers across the country, died Friday, a family spokesman said.
Kinkade, 54, died at his home in Los Gatos in the Bay Area of what appeared to be natural causes, David Satterfield said.
Kinkade's sentimental paintings — with their cottages, country gardens and churches in dewy morning light — were beloved by middle-class America but generally dismissed by the art establishment.
The paintings typically depict tranquil scenes with lush landscaping and streams running nearby. Many contain images from Bible passages.
Kinkade labeled himself as the nation's most collected living artist. His paintings and spin-off products bring in about $100 million a year in sales, and are said to be in 10 million homes in the United States.
He grew up in a trailer in Placerville, Calif., the town he often rendered in his art as an idyllic community of friendly citizens. After hitting upon the formula for inspirational landscapes and village scenes, he and his wife put their modest savings into publishing the first reproductions of his paintings in 1984. They sold 1,000 copies for $35 each and never looked back.
"I'm a warrior for light," he told the San Jose Mercury News in 2002, in reference to his technical skills but also the medieval practice of using light to symbolize the divine. "With whatever talent and resources I have, I'm trying to bring light to penetrate the darkness many people feel."
Before Kinkade's Media Arts Group went private in the middle of the last decade, the company took in $32 million per quarter from 4,500 dealers across the country, according to the Mercury News. The cost of his paintings ranges from hundreds of dollars to more than $10,000.
"Thom provided a wonderful life for his family," his wife, Nanette, said in a statement. "We are shocked and saddened by his death."

Don't be misled - It's not just New York

Beware...
Lawsuit Against Michael's Arts and Crafts Stores "never ending sale"
Independent merchants in the hobby, craft, and framing industries have long spoken about misleading practices by Michaels stores—most specifically, advertising deep discounts while actually charging full price.
Well, as the saying goes, the chickens have come home to roost.
From the New York State Attorney General website:
ROCHESTER – As students and teachers returned to school this month, Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman today announced that retail chain Michaels Stores, Inc. has agreed to enter a $1.8 million settlement for engaging in deceptive advertising practices by misleading consumers into thinking they were receiving steep discounts over a two year period. As part of the settlement, the company will change its advertising practices and contribute $1 million in art and craft supplies to public schools throughout New York State, in addition to $800,000 in civil penalties.
“For years, Michaels duped consumers into thinking they were receiving huge discounts, when in fact, they were simply paying the regular store price,” said Attorney General Schneiderman. “Through deceptive advertising practices, this company violated the law and took advantage of hardworking consumers trying to save money.  In addition to the civil penalties, the company is paying for their actions by providing $1 million in school supplies for hundreds of school districts statewide.”
Michaels Stores, Inc. describes itself as a specialty retailer of arts, crafts, scrapbooking and custom framing.  Its 48 stores throughout New York State are frequented by parents, students and teachers to purchase school supplies.
As a result of the Attorney General’s settlement, Michaels will be required to give back to the public schools in communities which their stores are located. Today’s action will benefit as many as 724 school districts throughout the state. The schools are set to receive $1 million in gift cards to purchase supplies.
The investigation began in 2009 when the Attorney General’s office began tracking the 50 percent off marketing materials where Michaels advertised its “Custom Framing” as a sale product for at least 104 consecutive weeks.  The law prohibits sales that are never ending. Investigators throughout the state collected newspaper flyers, online flyers, in-store banners and signs advertising the custom framing. Michaels advertised in at least one of these forms every day for two years. The ads stated that custom framing was either at least 50 percent off or a certain dollar amount off. 
Michaels has agreed to settle the investigation by paying civil penalties of $800,000 in addition to the $1 million to New York’s public schools for violating General Business Law (350-D) for False Advertising.
The case was handled by Assistant Attorney General Benjamin Bruce under the direction of Assistant Attorney General In-Charge of the Rochester office, Debra Martin and Executive Deputy Attorney General for Regional Affairs, Martin J. Mack.
The success of the AG’s office has me wondering—will other states follow suit (no pun intended), now that New York has recovered funds for the misleading practice? Given how many are hungry for revenue from any source possible, it wouldn’t surprise me one bit to hear of new lawsuits popping up, fast.
Equally interesting will be consumer reactions. Even the most loyal customer base doesn’t like to find out they’ve been misled, and in some people’s perception, gouged. Times are tight; finding out a store they liked was inflating “regular” prices in order to falsify “sales” won’t sit well.
Nor should it.

The Value of Custom Framing

Dollar for dollar custom framing is one of the best values you will find. A quality custom frame

design will typically outlast cars, carpeting, sofas, or business suits purchased at the same time. Because custom framing generally hangs on the wall, it takes little abuse. All of the other things mentioned here get dented, scratched, stained, etc. because of all the contact they have with other things around them.

Many of us think nothing of spending one hundred dollars for a nice dinner out for two. Those

types of dining experiences may only last 60 minutes, making the cost $1.60 per minute. If you

send someone a $50 floral arrangement, it will probably look good for five days, making its cost

$10 per day. Many pieces of art or family photos that were custom framed 50 years ago are still

hanging on walls today. At that rate, a $200 investment in good quality custom framing is just $4

per year, making it just over one cent per day.

The key to a long-lasting frame design is quality framing materials and a classically styled design that will endure through ever-changing design trends. The phrase, ''you get what you pay for," certainly applies to custom framing. Inexpensive frame mouldings are more prone to warping, fading and peeling. Better quality frames are made from superior materials and include extra steps to avoid those problems and more. Always use conservation grade glass to help protect your art as much as possible from harmful UV rays. Conservation matting and backing boards are also needed to protect the art from the acids found in lesser materials that can cause discoloration.

At Alley Fine Art / Framing, we take great pride in our workmanship. Since we live and work right here in the community with you, we do everything we can to provide you with flawless framing as well as a great in­-store experience. We know that we have to work hard to earn your trust and your business so that is our priority each and every day. If you have not yet experienced our custom framing, we invite you to come in to learn more. Consultations are always free. For those of you who have enjoyed our custom framing services previously, we hope to see you again soon. IF you are a satisfied customer, please refer us to your family and friends when you hear they are in the market for custom framing.

Thank you.

March Blog 6

Mat Colors:

Mats are available in hundreds of colors, yet the neutral tones tend to

be best sellers. When you use neutral colors, the art generally stands

out more. Neutral mat colors will also be easier to place into a new

decor when you paint, buy new furniture, or move. However, if you

want color, we have mats in all your favorite tones. We’re here to

help you select the best color for your next framing project!

Mat Patterns/Textures:

In addition to smooth-surfaced mat boards, we also offer a variety of

textures, both in fabric and printed patterns. Fabrics, such as linen, silk

or suede can add a sense of elegance and sophistication to your framed

art. Some of our other patterns work well as accents to add just a touch

of interest to your design.

March blog 5

What is a Float Frame? :

A float is a minimalist frame option sometimes used when framing

art on canvas. The painting drops into the front of the frame so none

of its front surface is covered. This is especially beneficial when the

painting continues from the front down the sides of the canvas or

when an important part of the subject comes so close to the edge of

the art that it would be covered with the lip of a standard frame. As

most float frames are very simple profiles, another, more decorative,

frame can be added around it to bring out the personality of your art.

Mat Quality:

Not all mats are created equally. Mats made from 100% cotton rag or

alpha-cellulose are the best choices. Standard paper mats are highly

acidic. They can discolor, much like newspaper. The acid in paper mats

also migrates out and can damage the art. We always advise the use of

better quality mats, both to protect your art and to prolong the integrity

of the frame designs you purchase from us.

March Blog 4

What is a Fillet? :

A fillet is a decorative accessory that can be inserted into the opening

of a mat or the lip of a frame. When used with a mat, it is most common

to choose a fillet that coordinates with the color and style of the frame.

However, when you want to add a fillet inside the frame, contrast is

most desirable. Fillets are available in a wide variety of colors, styles,

and widths for all of your framing needs. We are always happy to show

you our selection.

Liners :

A liner is a border used between the art and frame when mats aren’t

appropriate. Paintings on canvas and needlepoint are two art forms

where liners are often used. Although, the first liners were gilded panels,

fabric-wrapped liners are quite common today. Most are neutral in tone,

allowing the colors in the art to stand out. Liners come in various profile

shapes and widths to create an ideal combination with the desired

frame. We can combine liners just like we layer mats, creating a truly

custom work of art.

March Blog 3

Frame Depth:

Our deeper mouldings are used to create shadowboxes when we

are framing objects. However, the same mouldings can provide

great solutions when framing art on paper, too. When the art is

placed forward in the frame, the added depth projects the art

towards you. If the art will hang in a niche or bookcase, a deeper

frame helps offset those recesses. We can also recess the art into

the deeper frame, adding depth and drama.

Combining Frame Mouldings:

For centuries it has been a common practice to combine more than

one frame moulding to make a single frame. This technique is called

stacking, just like when carpenters stack mouldings when putting

finishing touches on a room. Stacking frame mouldings enables us

to mix colors or styles to coordinate with your art. This technique

also helps us provide you with a frame of a grander scale for a large

or special piece.

March blog 2

Choosing a frame style:

The style of a frame should always flatter the art it surrounds. If the

art you want to use isn’t the same style as your room, that’s okay. We

can help you choose a frame that will serve as a bridge between the

different styles. For example, an ornate frame may work well with

abstract art to help it work in a classic space or a fresh look for

traditional art can be achieved when paired with a soft contemporary

frame style, instantly updating it.

Appropriate Frame Width:

Many people assume that narrow frame mouldings are for small

pictures and larger works of art should be paired with wider frame

mouldings. That isn’t always the case. Wider frames can benefit smaller

pieces of art by calling attention to them. The width of a frame can also

be used to relate the framed art to the scale of your room or furnishings

– don’t overpower a room with a frame that’s too large for the space or

under-power the artwork with too petite a frame.

March Blog 1

Framing Everyday

Moments and Memories

As you look back at the months of your calendar, memories of holidays and special occasions will no doubt come flooding back. Photographs from Grandma's 90th birthday, Mom and Dad's 50th anniversary celebration, and the whole family gathered around the table at Thanksgiving help us remember those days. Similarly, shoeboxes of birth announcements, wedding invitations, graduation photos and other memorabilia fill us with a sense of nostalgia.

 But if you look a little closer at the calendar pages and dig a little deeper into your shoebox, you will discover that there are plenty of “in between” moments in your life that also need to be preserved. Are you holding onto a restaurant matchbook and a theater program from your first date with your spouse? Let us frame them with a current photo of the two of you for a memorable anniversary gift. Does your husband have a favorite vinyl album that he played again and again his senior year of high school? A custom frame can turn it into a cherished birthday present.

 Of course, you don't need to wait for a special occasion to bring us a custom framing project. Let us tell the story of a favorite vacation by combining postcards from different cities and landmarks with foreign coins, photos and more. Or you can surprise your child by framing a painting from his art class or a first report card, “just because”.

 Along with traditional photographs from holidays and events, we can help you capture life's “in between” moments by framing autographs, concert tickets, newspaper clippings, and other memorabilia.