Custom Framing – Whispering Woods Gallery

Ketubah Handling Tips

Published on May 28, 2017August 12, 2017 by Susan

Your gorgeous Ketubah has just arrived in time for your upcoming wedding! Here are some considerations for handling so that it stays in perfect condition for a lifetime of enjoyment.

Try not to excessively handle it before the wedding. It is easy to put a dent in it, so take it to a professional framer as soon as possible to open it.
A framer can put a temporary fomecore backing behind it for the ceremony. Many framers put acetate over it to prevent damage. Other options include matting and/or framing it with out glass for the ceremony.
Be sure to read any recommendations from the artist or Ketubah supplier.
Check the spelling of your names in English and Hebrew. It’s rare that there are mistakes, but it can happen!
Colored nail polish can leave permanent marks on your light colored Ketubah.
Use a special fade proof pen for signing. Ink can fade over the years if exposed to UV light rays. Test your pen if possible to see that it writes smoothly on your Ketubah.
Will you display it at the ceremony? Make sure that there is an easel available.
The wedding day can be hectic. Appoint somebody who will make sure that it is carefully wrapped to come home. Don’t leave it in the trunk of the car for an extended period of time. Take it to a professional picture framer as soon as possible for archival framing to last a lifetime!

These tips are provided by Whispering Woods Gallery in Holland, Pennsylvania. We have been professionally framing Ketubot in the Philadelphia area since 1986.

Wedding Custom Framing

Published on April 23, 2017May 28, 2017 by Susan

Custom framing is a great way to remember your special day. Gather your favorite photographs, invitations and other mementos and we’ll create a wonderful treasure that is cherished forever. We frame wedding items old and new. We can custom frame your engagement photo, wedding portrait, invitation, ketubah, signature mat, and family photos. Choose from a wide variety of frames. Our award winning staff will come up with a design that you will enjoy for years to come.

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West Coast Art and Frame 2017

Published on January 30, 2017January 30, 2017 by Susan

Every year framers from all over the world gather at the West Coast Art and Frame Show in Las Vegas for five days of classes, vendor exhibits and networking to strengthen our industry. I just returned with fabulous new ideas and a few awards too.

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Sunday at the Met

Published on October 7, 2016October 7, 2016 by Susan

On September 30, the Metro Atlantic Professional Picture Framers Association met for a private tour with frame historian Suzanne Smeaton at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC. Framers and vendors from three states attended the event. It was inspiring to be with others in the industry, discussing art and framing and I came back to the shop with many fresh ideas.

The Power of a Photo

Published on August 7, 2016August 12, 2017 by Susan

As a 30 year veteran of the picture framing industry, I understand the power of a cherished photo. It stirs up emotions, brings back memories, shows love, and shares pride. My clients rely on me to create a display of their favorites in the best way possible to preserve, enhance and enjoy. Let me share one of my favorite photos. The original is stained and tattered but brings back so many precious memories.

My Dad, Harold Gittlen, loved to pitch horseshoes. Spending our summers in Atlantic City, Dad enjoyed setting up matches with friends, neighbors and sometimes a few guys just passing by. At the end of the summer there would be a championship with trophies. Pre man-cave, this was his “guy activity.” No worries, he was always there for us.

Ok, so let me tell you about this photo. It was taken in the early seventies on the Boston Avenue Beach. In the mist, you can just make out the “pipe” which marked our place on the beach. As you can see, Dad has just pitched a ringer! That just didn’t happen, it took much practice, patience, determination and dedication. This is how Dad lived his life. In addition he probably had a bit of marksmanship skill too.

To everyone who knew my Dad, this photo just shouts out, “Harold!” I don’t know who took this photo, but the photographer captured my Dad and the moment perfectly. I’ve framed this for both of my siblings and they display it proudly.

Do you have a special photo? It’s more than a small image to view on your phone now and then. Stop by Whispering Woods Gallery to have your photo preserved and protected to enjoy every day.

Welcome to my Etsy shop, “Greetings From Susan.”

Published on June 28, 2016July 4, 2016 by Susan

Visiting Etsy Headquarters in Brooklyn.

Our PPFA Group visited Etsy Headquarters in Brooklyn.

New York City Skyscraper Vintage Postcards

Philadelphia Art Museum postcards custom framed.

Philadelphia Museum Vintage Postcards custom framed. See you on the Art Museum steps!

framing for Wildwood Crest vintage postcard

Wildwood Crest Vintage Postcard with Fabulous matting for a shore home.

Vintage postcards at Whispering Woods Gallery

Ask about our extensive vintage postcard collection.

Welcome to Greetings From Susan, my online Etsy store. For those of you who are not familiar with Etsy, let me explain. Etsy is an e-commerce website where you can shop for unique handmade, vintage and craft supply items. There are over 1.6 million individual shops selling on Etsy and over 25 million buyers worldwide. It was launched in 2005 and the headquarters are in Brooklyn, New York.

In 2014, after being in a storefront location for several decades, I felt that it was time to expand our audience from just the Bucks County/Philadelphia/NJ location to a greater area. I chose Etsy because many of my customers were coming to me to frame items that they had purchased online. Etsy had a great reputation, so I thought that I would give it a try with one of my passions, vintage postcards. I had been framing many vintage postcards for family, friends and my customers and I enjoyed creating unique projects. Vintage postcards and ephemera bring back happy memories, taking us back to our youth, a fun occasion or a place that we lived.

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Selling online has a little bit of a learning curve, but it’s exciting and gratifying. I can be open 24/7 instead of just regular business hours. I routinely ship all over the US and even overseas now and then. Initially I only wanted to sell matted vintage postcards, but I tweaked my shop to include both matted and unmatted postcards. Soon I will add greeting cards. It’s been a great opportunity and I look forward to seeing “Greetings From Susan” grow. If you are in the area, stop by our shop at 295 Buck Road, Holland, PA 18966.

Check out www.GreetingsFromSusan.Etsy.com

“Oh no, the glass broke!”

Published on May 17, 2016May 23, 2016 by Susan

At Whispering Woods Gallery, we frequently work on glass replacement projects. Glass can break for many reasons.

A proper hook was not used.
The hanging hardware was not sufficient for the piece. Screw eye hangers and sawtooth hangers usually are not the best choice.
The wire did not catch onto the hook properly.
The frame was jarred by a person or object.
House repairs to the roof or siding shook the wall.
The art was not hung on a timely basis and was jarred while on the floor.
The art was leaned against a wall without being secured.

Our goal is to safely dispose the broken glass, remove glass shards, repair or replace a broken frame, and replace the glazing with the appropriate choice. Prices vary according to size, type of glass used and complexity of the project. We stock five types of glass at our shop – Regular, Conservation Clear, Non-glare, Conservation Reflection Control and Museum. All glass is cut in our shop to fit your frame. Drop by with your piece and we’ll get it fixed up fast. No worries!

Glass Replacement at Whispering Woods Gallery, Art Gallery and Framing in Holland, PA — Whispering Woods Gallery can help you get that picture back together again.

National Postcard Week and Mother’s Day

Published on May 1, 2016May 1, 2016 by Susan

It’s National Postcard Week and Mother’s Day week. What’s a postcard loving picture framer to do? Combine the two celebrations! Here’s a postcard from the approximate time period that Mom is standing in front of the Traymore Hotel in Atlantic City, NJ.

The matting and frame have simple clean lines. Usually I will cover the edges of a photo, but I could not part with the deckled edge of this one. The red core mat board continues the fun theme from the postcard. The frame is from Larson Juhl, showing a hint of red and black wash. This will eventually be displayed….at the beach!

Here’s Lucy

Published on April 10, 2016April 12, 2016 by Susan

If you have ever visited Margate, New Jersey you probably passed by Lucy the Elephant. Built in 1881, Lucy is a six story structure that attracts thousands of visitors each year. As a framer, opportunities to frame Lucy are plentiful! Here are a few of Whispering Woods Gallery’s projects. Contact Sue for more about prints, vintage postcards and framing. 215-364-4321.

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What’s New at Whispering Woods Gallery-Spring Edition

Published on April 10, 2016April 11, 2016 by Susan

Susan Gittlen showing framed vintage postcards.

Greetings! I have been busy creating new vintage postcard items at Whispering Woods Gallery. Look below for a preview before they are offered in my Etsy shop. They are a great gift for Mom, Dad or Grad. Add a stunning “ready to go”frame and UV filtering glass for only an additional $50. Visit our shop in Holland, PA to see hundreds of your favorite places.