Cead Mille Failte
"A hundred thousand welcomes" is the English translation of this Gaelic salutation. This cross stitch was expertly mounted over an archival board and framed with a perfectly patterned moulding. These projects showcase the time, talent, and creativity of needle artists, and we are experts at helping our customers achieve their finished piece. I wonder how one might express "a hundred thousand stitches"?
Framing a Nation
We were honored this past August to have a hand in preserving a very significant and special piece of history. The letter, dated 1920, contains a seal that holds pieces of lead from the “bone box” which held and transferred the bones of “probably thirty Pilgrims who died in Plymouth two hundred and fifty years ago.” The writer eloquently stated, “In looking at this piece of lead you will visualize the entire compass of American history starting with a handful of stalwart men on Plymouth Rock, to a nation of 110,000,000 people.” Whoa.These relics were brought to us by a passionate historian to be framed for display by the General Society of Mayflower Descendants, and more importantly, preserved for coming generations. The piece will initially be exhibited at the Mayflower Society House for the 2017 Pilgrim Congress. This assembly meets every four years to elect its Governor and officials and honor its 30,000 members across the globe. Our MCPF Valerie Becker considered the aesthetics of the display venue in the design process. It was suggested that the finished piece should be quite grand, and we were excited to deliver! The design features an exquisite Larson Juhl Biltmore Collection frame, and a complementary Nurre Caxton fillet surrounding each mat opening. Two solid and pure cotton base mats add support and depth, further highlighting the significance of the relics. Our Master Framer left no stone unturned when it came to considering the archival preservation of this piece and the materials involved in the project. Extensive care was taken to ensure that these historical objects will remain protected from dust, UV light, acid producing papers, material gasses, and other elements that cause deterioration. We are humbled to be given this opportunity and experience. Our customers’ passions are OUR purpose, and we are grateful to have such wonderful, interesting, and meaningful projects to share.
Valerie Becker appointed to International Framing Competition Board
Valerie Becker Appointed to International Framing Competition Board
Valerie Becker of Red Wing Framing & Fine Art Printing was appointed to the International Framing Competition Board by the Board of Directors of the Professional Picture Framers Association (PPFA) at the annual PPFA Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada, in January 2017. This prestigious three-year appointment places Valerie at the helm of all framing competitions, overseeing the approval and accreditation of judges, and ensuring the continuous review and updating of framing design standards and judging criteria.
Valerie remarked, "I am excited to be working with creative framing experts from all over the world. This is a professional honor for me, and I will be a better framer from this experience."
Valerie Becker is a Master Certified Picture Framer, as designated by the PPFA. She owns and operates Red Wing Framing & Fine Art Printing and Rochester Framing & Fine Art Printing.
The Professional Picture Framers Association (PPFA) has been the industry trade association for professional custom picture framers, art galleries, museums, and framing manufacturers for 35 years. With over 3,500 members, PPFA plays a crucial role in maintaining industry standards, providing education, and promoting the art of framing.
The Fabulous Fillet
In the world of framing, a fillet (pronounced "fill-it") is a tiny frame with a reverse lip that fits inside a traditional frame or beneath a mat. Fillets add extra flair or dramatic enhancement to a frame, providing an additional level of showcasing for a piece of art.
For instance, the ornate fillet around the pastel Madonna adds a touch of elegance to the rustic-style frame. Our first-place chapter winner featured a blue frame fillet that perfectly matched the bold blue in the needlepoint. Finally, the beautiful Belle is displayed with a bold mat edged in a delicate fillet, giving her design just the right amount of sass to match her personality, according to her owner.
Fillets exponentially grow the creative possibilities of framing design, and as we always say, the more creative options the more fun to be had!
The business of being in business...
Our Commitment to Excellence
Years ago, we made a pivotal decision to strive for the highest standards in our work. That became our business plan. In 2014, Valerie became the first Master Certified Picture Framer (MCPF) in Minnesota. This achievement was a significant milestone for us and has opened up many opportunities.
Valerie has continued to make valuable contributions to the framing industry, and this January, she will compete in a national framing competition in Las Vegas. These efforts drive us to continually improve our skills and services.
This is just the beginning of our journey towards excellence.
A framing limerick
There once was a framer named Valerie.
Who framed art that hung in a gallery.
It was beautifully done and the process was so fun.
And it was only a small part of my salary.