Hi guys, I know there are a number of fellow Canadians out there, and hopefully some are in the Toronto area. I finally finished Noah's Sub in time to give it at Christmas. My SIL and BIL are to pay for getting it framed, and I wondered if anyone has any recommendations for a good framer in Toronto. I had a wonderful one I used when I lived up in Sudbury, but never framed a piece in TO. Failing that, what does the group at large think my SIL should be asking when talking to the framers themselves? Thanks in advance, Heather
If it had been a couple of years ago I could have named someone immediately. Alas, despite living near Toronto for most of my life I don't know of anyone I would 100% trust to frame needlework. (the places I've used have since closed or moved out of town).
Gittas
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) does framing, and does a fabulous job. Itcan be a bit pricey. Worth the price if you're looking for a good archivalquality job. But a piece the size of Noah's Sub could run some pretty bigbucks, to be honest. I'm not sure how big it is exactly, mind you. If it'scomparable to Flower Power by Crossed Wing Collection... start savingquarters now LOL (I had that framed a few years ago and it was close tothe price of my mortgage - worth it, but ouch !).There is a place called Ken's Art and Frame in Richmond Hill (just north ofT.O.) at 9737 Yonge Street that has framed some of my pieces in the past. Iam not sure, however, that they use "archival" quality framing. I haven'tused them in quite a few years for needlework as I now pin most of my ownwork.
What I would suggest is that your SIL go into a framing shop of her choice and ask the following questions:
Do they frame needlework ? (not all places can or will)
Do they use acid free foam core and matting ? (surprisingly enough there are frame shops that won't)
Do they glue the needlework ? (big big NO NO, obviously)
Do they lace, or use pins ? Or alternatively, some people will accept stainless steel staples.
I'd request outright that the material NOT be cut in any way, based on the assumption that you've left a standard amount of extra material around the outside (i.e. 2-3") - if there's more, you may want to trim that yourself.
Request that they use spacers in the frame, assuming it will be glassed.
If they'll do all that, and she can see some of the other pieces they've framed and likes them, then I'd go for it. The main key is no gluing and no cutting of the fabric, acid free materials, and spacers if it's glassed.
Good luck ! If I hear of another framer, I'll post.
And congratulations on the finish ! What an accomplishment ! :)
I'm not sure where you are in the Toronto area, but I see that Shannon has given you a couple of good possibilities. You could also try The Sampler, on Brown's Line in the west end. (note: I have stitched models for them). Anything they've ever framed for me has been very well done.
If you are in the east you might try Kim Mather in Whitby (Kimat Designs). I find I can give stuff to Kim and say, "Do whatever you think would look good", and I'm never disappointed. She's very creative and is fast as well as (relatively) inexpensive.
You could e-mail her at snipped-for-privacy@rogers.com for more information
Thank you both very much for the suggestions. If I was there, I'd know what to look for, but I live in NY now, the piece was a wedding gift for my BIL and SIL, with the caveat being I'd stitch whatever pattern they chose, but they were responsible for the framing. It's kind of a hard thing to advise on long distance! :) I had thought they were going to use my old framer up north in Sudbury as SIL has family there, but apparently they have decided against it. Thanks again! Heather
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