For the Community – Whispering Woods Gallery

It’s Graduation Season!

Posted by Susan in Custom Framing, For the Community

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

“Oh no, my picture has broken glass!” Glass replacement service

Posted by Susan in Art, Custom Framing, For the Community, Photo Restoration

At Whispering Woods Gallery, we frequently replace broken glass. 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.
The art did not have sufficient protection during transport. Many times glass breaks during shipping or a move.

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. If the mat is scratched we can replace it. Prices vary according to size, type of glass, and complexity of the project. We stock five types of Tru Vue 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!

Broken glass replacement — No worries, Whispering Woods Gallery can replace your glass!

“Vintage is Now” Day 25 – JFK Mass Card

Posted by Susan in Custom Framing, For the Community, Vintage, Vintage is now

John F. Kennedy Mass Card Custom Framed — A framed JFK Mass Card was framed to be seen on the front and back.

During my 31 years of framing, I have framed just a few funeral Mass cards. This is one that I will always remember. This was a Mass card honoring John F. Kennedy. I framed it for Judy of Holland quite a while ago. It was an honor to frame it and I felt that I was contributing to preserve history. I was just a year old at the time when JFK was assassinated.

The framing was simple, functional, and period appropriate. An elegant ruled line in gold framed the mat opening. A second piece of glass and several mats were added to the back so that both sides could be viewed. We added an “Easel Mate” so that it could sit on a shelf. Museum Glass was used on the front to cut down on the glare.

Judy acquired this by way of a family member. There are some available for a fair price on Ebay.

Custom Framed Mass card — JFK Mass card back

“Vintage is Now” Day 18 – 1960’s Baby Photos

Posted by Susan in Custom Framing, For the Community, Photo Restoration, Vintage, Vintage is now

Today’s “Vintage is Now” photo shows a series of Kim’s fun baby photos from the late 1960’s. These photos bring a smile to everyone that views them! They were framed in the 80’s elsewhere in very bold colors and it was time for a bit of updating.

We cut this six opening mat on our Wizard computerized matcutter. Kim chose a stylish ornate Larson Juhl frame with a bit of whimsy. We added an engraved plate with her name and the date. The matting choice is very neutral so whatever home decor colors might be popular, this project will look great.

Thank you Kim for letting us share your photos!

“Vintage is Now” Day 15-Memories of Mom and Dad

Posted by Susan in Custom Framing, For the Community, Photo Restoration, Vintage, Vintage is now

Framed pony and wedding photos — We combined pony and wedding photos in this vintage photo project

Day 15 of Whispering Woods Gallery’s “Vintage is Now” series is a unique combination. We combined three photos into one frame for Bill of Newtown, Pa. In the center we see Bill’s parents wedding photograph from 1957 and 1930’s pony pictures of his mom and dad from different parts of Philadelphia. Bill’s mother grew up in the Tacony section of Philadelphia and his father grew up in West Philadelphia. Both photos are from the age of five years old.

On a side note, many of us have pony pictures of family. They look wonderful custom framed. We love Bill’s idea of combining them with his parent’s wedding photo. To read more on pony photographs we found a book that you might want to read- A Pony in the Picture: Vintage Portraits of Children and Ponies, by Victoria Randall.

For this project we scanned the photos and digitally manipulated the color of the trio to look pleasing together. We sized them to make an interesting arrangement. New copies were generated for this framed piece. The double mat of solid core matboard complements the Larson Juhl Marais frame. We included a brass plate with Bill’s parents names and the year that they were married. Bill is happy to have this sweet reminder of his parents and their happy memories many years ago.

If Bill looks familiar, you might have met him at a local appraisal event or at an antique show. He owns Imagine Antiques and Appraisals and specializes in early lithographs, political Americana, metalware, American & European ceramics, ephemera, sports memorabilia, and pop culture.

Bill D’Anjolell of Imagine Antiques and Appraisals holds a custom framed trio of photos of his parents.

“Vintage is Now” Day 9-Purple Heart Certificate, Photo and Medals

Posted by Susan in Custom Framing, For the Community, Photo Restoration, Vintage, Vintage is now

Custom Framed WWII memorabilia — We won’t forget this soldier who was killed in action in Europe during WWII.

Day 9 of “Vintage is Now” is a sad one. We framed an original military photo with a Purple Heart certificate and medals all in one frame. Our young US soldier was killed in action on December 25, 1944 in Europe during the Battle of the Bulge.

This was a gift from a niece of the deceased to a nephew of the deceased. She chose a tasteful Larson Juhl Biltmore frame. Although it does not show in the photo, the frame is deep enough to accommodate the thickness of the medals. We used Museum glass and solid color core matboard. The mat opening around the medals was embellished with a classic corner from our computerized matcutter. We were honored to win a Larson Juhl Design Star award for this several years ago.

Custom framing keeps our memories alive. Thanks to all that served our Country. We won’t forget you.

“Vintage is Now” Day 3- World War II Group Photo Restoration

Posted by Susan in Custom Framing, For the Community, Photo Restoration, Vintage, Vintage is now

Photo restoration is a service offered at Whispering Woods Gallery. This group photo from Fort Bragg 1942 came to us without a mat and in an old frame. It had been stored and it sustained water damage. The photo was adhered to the glass in some areas. If we tried to separate the photo from the glass, it would rip. We scanned the photo through the glass, fixed the blemishes digitally and then printed a new copy for our customer. A solid color core mat and new frame were selected. This was a gift for our customer’s son who also served in the Armed Forces.

Peter Keating – Bucks County Poster

Posted by Susan in Art, Custom Framing, For the Community, Vintage

Whispering Woods Gallery offers local art and custom framing. This is a vintage Peter Keating Poster from 1986. It’s a classic and timeless. Peter Keating, an artist who lived in Bucks County in the 1970’s and 1980’s, painted beautiful rural scenes of Bucks County. We offer this poster in your choice of custom frame. It would look great in a home or office. If you are looking for local traditional art, give us a call at 215-364-4321.

SS Leopoldville-December 24, 1944

Posted by Susan in Custom Framing, For the Community, Vintage

SS. Leopoldville tragedy — A vintage postcard of the SS Leopoldville, which was torpedoed in the English Channel December 24, 1944. Seven hundred US Soldiers were killed. Miraculously our father, Harold Gittlen was rescued.

The SS Leopoldville was a passenger ship converted to a troopship in WWII. It was torpedoed by the Germans on December 24, 1944 while transporting US Army soldiers of the 66th Infantry Division across the English Channel. 763 of the 2223 soldiers died that evening. Also 56 crew members perished.

Unfortunately the horrific event was kept out of the media. The survivors were not allowed to talk about the event and they were told that they would lose their Veterans benefits if information leaked. Many of the families did not find out how their loved ones died until years later. Clive Cussler claims to have discovered the wreck in 1984.

This vintage postcard has great importance to my family. My father Harold Gittlen was rescued on a lifeboat in the 48 degree waters on that Christmas Eve, 1944. Growing up he never spoke of this event. Until recently I did not know the importance of this part of WWII history. Allan Andrade wrote an extensive book on the Leopoldville, published in 1997. It is called SS Leopoldville Disaster, December 24, 1944.

Allentown Paper and Book Show

Posted by Susan in Art, Custom Framing, For the Community

I recently attended the Allentown Paper and Book Show in Allentown, PA. As a first time attendee, I had no idea that it was such a large show. I could have stayed for the two days. I went to search for a few vintage postcards. I found booths filled with all types of old photographs, magazines, advertising, sheet music, posters and more. Vintage cameras, World’s Fair items, romantic Valentines, toys, old maps, matchbooks and original drawings were plentiful. The original vintage signage was fun and bright. There was even a booth with display supplies for collectors and dealers.

Ketubah Handling Tips

Posted by Susan in Custom Framing, For the Community

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.

West Coast Art and Frame 2017

Posted by Susan in Art, Custom Framing, For the Community, Photo Restoration

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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