The Framed Signature Mat - Not Just for Weddings

Hello, everyone! Today's post is about a new product I'm selling called the Engravable Signature Mat (see photos).

It's designed especially for brides and grooms, and it's called "The New Guestbook." It's a beautiful way to capture your wedding guests' signatures forever. You'll be able to enjoy your framed and signed wedding photograph in a way that you'll actually get to see and enjoy for years to come.

If someone you know is getting married this year, the Framed Engravable Signature Mat makes a very thoughtful gift.

What makes this Engravable Signature Mat so special is that it's made from a highly-polished metal alloy, not cardboard. The signatures will never smudge or fade, ever.

As a picture framer, I've framed many cardboard mats (you've seen them--white mats signed with black or red magic marker), and they often arrive in my frame shop in pretty bad shape. Not only do they sometimes smell like cigarette smoke, they are usually smudged or worse--they are water (beer?) stained. And within a couple of years, the signatures are usually quite faded.

The Engravable Signature Mat eliminates all those problems while giving the guest(s) of honor a very beautiful remembrance of their very special day.

But let's think beyond weddings--the Engravable Signature Mat is also a thoughtful way to capture the moment of a birthday, graduation, bat/bar mitzvah, retirement, baby shower, and more. Just pop in a photograph of the guest of honor, and everyone will know what to do.

The Engravable Signature Mat arrives at your door as a complete kit--framed and ready to display on an easel or table. It includes a free polishing cloth to wipe away finger prints, a free diamond-tipped scribe for your guests to sign their names (works much like a regular pen, just push a little harder), a free instruction card, and hanging hardware so you can hang your finished piece either horizontally or vertically. Voila!

Prices start at $195 for the 20 x 24 Framed Engravable Signature Mat and go down from there. If you've ever had custom framing done, you know what a good value this is.

To learn more or to place an order, please visit my Web site at http://www.blackirisframing.com/ where you can download an order form. You may also call me at 715-635-4548. I can take your credit card info right over the phone.

See (and sign!) the Engravable Signature Mat in person at Black Iris Gallery on Hwy 63 in Spooner, WI. I'll also be at the Rice Lake Bridal Show on Sunday, February 7, 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Hope to see you there!

Happy Party Planning, everyone.

Sincerely,
JoAnn

Great news for Stone Lake & Danbury!

I have big news and I can't wait to share it!

When I bought the Black Iris Gallery & Custom Framing business two years ago, I saw immediately that Northwest Wisconsin's large geographical area, and the driving distances that go with it, meant there was a need for more locations in neighboring towns. Of course, I use the term "neighboring" loosely. Here is NW WI, the nearest towns are anywhere from 6 to 40 miles away, one way. Luckily, stop-n-go traffic does not happen here, but deer, bear, and even skunk sure keep you alert!

Many, if not most, of my customers are second homeowners who live in secluded developments or on private lakes. They come from large metropolitan areas like the Twin Cities and Chicago, and they don't want to drive two hours to have their custom framing done. Hence, Black Iris satellite locations!

As of May 3, I will have two (that's right, two!) satellite locations to better serve my rural customers. The first location will open in April in Danbury at Homestead Embroidery & Gifts, owned by Deb & Ken Holter. The Holters and their staff will help you choose mats and frames, take your deposit, and hold your artwork. I will collect the orders each week, build your frame(s), and cut your mats back at my shop in Spooner. Then I'll deliver the completed package back to Homestead Embroidery in Danbury. It's that easy!

I will do the same in Stone Lake, with that location opening May 3 at Bill & Karen Unverzagt's store called The Timbershed. They build fine, rustic furniture at their shop in Byron, Minnesota, but live in the summer on a lake near Stone Lake and sell art, gifts, and furniture from their store there. The Timbershed is an excellent fit for the Black Iris Custom Frame Shop since furniture and framing go hand-in-hand when a customer builds or redecorates a home.

Stay tuned for more details as our Grand Opening dates get closer. We're very excited, and we hope you are, too!

JoAnn & Andrew