Here are some of our latest projects. Enjoy!
Jonah Frameworks
Whispering Woods Gallery is delighted to offer the moulding of Jonah Frameworks. Their frames are crafted from raw imported and domestic wood and are assembled, sanded and finished by hand in Northeastern Pennsylvania. We love to work with Jonah because a frame of any wood and finish can be fabricated to our specifications. We can order the exact frame just for you and we are proud that it comes from a local source.
Framing Made Easy
Here are some tips from a professional picture framer to have a great frame shop visit.
-Call ahead. If you tell the frame shop a bit about your project ahead of time, they can research the item and look for creative ideas for presentation. The frame shop put together a presentation of images that will show you the possibilities. They can pull frame corners ahead of time that might work for you. If you are a previous client they can look up your style preferences.
-Make an appointment. Framers wear many hats but if they are expecting you, they will be more focused on your project.
-Take photos of the space where your picture framing will hang. Bring in paint chips, fabric swatches or floor samples if it matters to you. Show your framer pictures of your home or office or what you would like your room to resemble.
-Measure the area(s) where it might hang. Describing a space as “small” or “large” might be a bit general to design proportions for framing.
-If you are not quite sure, ask if you can borrow samples to take back home or to the office.
-If your framer is experienced they should be guiding you to a design that is both structurally sound and tasteful. Be open to new ideas and feel free to ask questions. Ask to see examples if you can’t visualize.
-Creating a great design takes time so don’t be rushed. If you bring a lot of items all at once, it might be too much for one session.
-Tell your framer if you have time constraints, budget limitations, or if the item will be shipped. Framers are usually flexible and want to work with you.
Susan Gittlen is one of seventy Master Certified Picture Framers worldwide and has been professionally framing at Whispering Woods Gallery in Holland, PA since 1986. She has won numerous framing industry awards from the Professional Picture Framers Association and Larson Juhl. She has had several articles published in Picture Framing Magazine.
Framing Kids’ Art
Framing Kids’ Works of Art: A Different ApproachKids’ works of art can be special and amazing pieces to display in the home! Many times, colorful mats and frames are incorporated into the custom frame designs, which can be just the right look, especially if the art will be placed in a child’s room or a playroom. But a different approach to share at the design counter is to frame the art in a more sophisticated way so it can be displayed nearly anywhere in the home!
Go for a Gallery Look
Colorful drawings, pencil sketches, photography, paintings and more can be framed with a white mat and black frame for a gallery-style design.
Make it a Masterpiece
Art on canvas can be beautifully highlighted with a wide frame – try frames with a gold, silver or black finish for a dramatic result.
Traditional & Transitional
Frames that highlight the beauty of wood can be a stylish option, and the art can be matted or not, depending on the substrate and medium. Modern and clean-lined profiles, rustic styles, or traditional furniture finishes can all work beautifully to create designs that highlight the art and work well in the home.
Some recent customer projects
Upper Left: Vacation memories of Italy with photos and souvenir cards
Upper Middle: Custom framed postcards of Winchester Virginia
Upper Right: A Charle Bofinger embellished canvas giclee
Middle Left: Original art framed to start a collection
Middle Center: Vintage drawing from the 1950’s
Middle Right: Proud Dad picking up his daughter’s diploma
Bottom Left: A precious family photo with description
Bottom Middle: A framed tool belt of a departed employee to a local business.
Bottom Right: A custom framed map of the Holyland dating back to the mid 1600’s.
We never “tire” of vintage at Whispering Woods Gallery!
Those who frequent Whispering Woods Gallery know that we love to frame vintage items. It seems as if there is always a vintage item in the shop in the process of being framed. Framing vintage helps preserve the past and makes a unique presentation for your home or office. Vintage also makes a thoughtful gift.
We recently framed six vintage tire advertisements for a local tire company. Each one was a little different but kept the same basic format of a simple black frame with a mat. We know that they will look great in the office and will delight clients and employees.
Are you looking for a something from the past? Let us know and we can direct you in the right direction. One of our favorite places is Golden Nugget Flea Market in Lambertville NJ. Also you might check out Brown Bros Auction in Buckingham. Also the Allentown Paper Show held twice a year for a two day show has much more than paper. You can spend all day browsing posters, trinkets , cameras and small antique items. If you like to buy online Ebay and Etsy are great if you know what you want. Also be sure to check out our vintage postcards from our Etsy shop, “Greetings From Susan,” 24/7. We are happy to help you with your upcoming project. Feel free to call us at 215-364-4321.
I framed the Declaration of Independence!
A few months ago I received a unique project to custom frame. Dominic of NJ came to me with a large copy of the Declaration of Independence reproduced full size onto calfskin parchment. It was the first time that I had seen a replica so close to the original Declaration of Independence. Each skin is stretched and hand scraped. To read more about the process of making these fine art reproductions, visit Patrigraphica of Cincinnati.
The document was cockled, and I was concerned because as a professional framer I will never permanently mount an animal skin. Diplomas printed on sheep skin or parchment are common and special care must be taken when framing. I consulted many of my colleagues on how to handle the skin, but there was no definitive answer. Dominic assured me that he was ok with waves and I proceeded to frame it.
I used a rag backing board, archival mats, Tru-Vue Museum Glass, and a black and gold Larson Juhl moulding from the Hudson line. I hinged the parchment to the backing board using Japanese paper hinges with wheat starch paste. A gold plate with a quote was added to the bottom of the mat.
Dominic said, “I was completely overwhelmed with joy when Sue revealed my project to me.” He was delighted and hopefully in the future he will add more historic documents. We wish Dominic years of success! For more information on the makers of these fine documents, read about Patrigraphica.
Frame Your Travels
You: A well-traveled collector with a vision for housing your latest treasures.
Us: A custom-framing shop with expert framers, handcrafted frames and the great experience for framing treasures from around the world.
Make a trip to visit Whispering Woods Gallery, and let us showcase your newest discoveries!
It’s Graduation Season!
It’s Graduation season and even though we are striving to live in a “paperless” world, 2019 graduates are still proudly receiving diplomas at their commencement ceremonies. A diploma is something to display, not put away in a closet or drawer. After all, it took much hard work over the years to earn it. Here are a few questions to ask when you frame your diploma.
- What kind of glass will be used? Does it block UV rays to reduce the fading of the signatures? Do you prefer an anti-reflective solution?
- Does the mat fit the certificate? Mats from a university book store diploma frame don’t necessarily fit your diploma. Why cover up something important?
- How will the diploma be secured in the frame? Does it need to be dry-mounted? Is this a good idea?
- Is this framing process reversible? Quality framing will come out of the frame in it’s original condition, without tape adhesive. Professional framers aim for their work to be reversible.
- Is the hanging hardware secure and proper for where you will hang it? A ready-made frame might not have the hanging solution for your walls. A professional framer will provide a hanging solution that works for you.
- Is it a great frame? Does it reflect my personality? Somebody in the fashion industry might pick something different than an accountant or attorney. Will the same frame be available for future diplomas and licenses? Is if made from solid wood or particle board?
- Should I take this to an expert? Professional framers study for years. They know what’s best for your situation. You want this to last for generations. Why settle for anything less?
Stop by Whispering Woods Gallery. We’ll show you diplomas that still look great from generations ago. We care to do it right. You should too. Congratulation 2019 Graduates! From Whispering Woods Gallery
Gallery Walls
Gallery walls are a great way to make your home or office a place that feels just right. Here are some articles that you might want to check out before designing a gallery wall.
- Apartment Therapy has dozens of articles pertaining to gallery walls.
- Here’s a great collection of gallery walls from Better Homes & Gardens.
- The New York Times also shares ideas for creating gallery walls.
This is your area so don’t be hung up about breaking the rules! If you think that it works, consider it! Many of the articles suggest not using the same frame for the entire collection. In the above photo, our client wanted to unify his family photos by using the same frame for all on of the items on his gallery wall. For his situation, it works.
Don’t be afraid to add three dimensional objects of different shapes and sizes to your gallery wall. A flea-market find, souvenir from vacation or family heirloom is an appropriate addition. Refer to Instagram and Pinterest for unusual ideas and layouts.
If you have a large amount of items to be framed for your wall, take your time, plan it out and work with an experienced framer who will help you through the process. Since it can be time consuming it’s best to call ahead to reserve a time period.
Here are a few pointers for hanging your gallery wall:
- Cut out the shape of each item from newspaper or kraft paper and use painters tape to arrange the cutouts on the wall to experience the final effect.
- Lay the arrangement out on the floor near the wall to see the overall balance before committing to making holes in the wall.
- Make sure that the items have proper hanging hardware. Wires attached to D-Rings used with professional picture hooks work in most cases. Frames with sawtooth hangers in the top center often get knocked down and should be used with caution. Screw eyes frequently come loose over time so you might please consider other options.
- Don’t be afraid to hire a professional installer. If you cannot fit it into your schedule, don’t have the proper ladders or simply don’t enjoy the process, contact us and we can refer you to some local installers in the Philadelphia area.
Inspect Your Framed Art and Memorabilia
When you own framed art or memorabilia that means a lot to you, pay attention to make sure it remains in good condition. The most common problems occur from damaging UV light rays, insects, moisture or temperature change. When you see signs of problems, bring your framed piece in so we can provide advice on how to correct the problem and how to stop further damage. Feel free to give us call at 215-364-4321 for more information.
Custom Framed Eagle Scout Pin
We recently framed this Eagle Scout award dating back to 1963. Did you know that about over the years, 2.5 million Boy Scouts have achieved this rank? The Eagle Scout designation goes back to 1911 and only about 4 percent of Boy Scouts achieve this honor.
We took special care to design an aesthetically pleasing custom framed display for the simple Eagle Scout medal. We added an engraved plate to help tell the story. This will be proudly displayed in a home office.
What are your accomplishments? We can frame certificates, medals, photos, and pins. It’s never too late to frame your diplomas, athletic achievements or newspaper clippings. Stop by Whispering Woods Gallery in Holland, Bucks County and we will help you pick out the perfect combination to make your achievements shine!
