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

Art, Framing, and the Holidays - Black Iris is Here for You

Hello, everyone! I have lots of news to share!

Last time we talked I was gearing up for my 4th Annual Black Iris Fine Art Show. I have to say...it went fantastic this year! My best year ever, in fact.

In the left margin are some pictures from the day, and as you can see, both the artists and the customers are very happy. I heard nothing but positive feedback this year.

Above: watercolor artist Vicky Zalatoris scopes out other art booths on a much-needed coffee break; learn more about Vicky at http://www.phluffwerks.com/aboutvicky.asp

Next year's Black Iris Fine Arts Show will be held during Jack O' Lantern Fest again, on October 16, 2010. Please mark your datebook now.

Have you heard the latest framing news at Black Iris Gallery? Perhaps you have seen our cute ad in the Spooner Advocate.

My framer Bill LaPorte and I are running a framing special!

All you have to do is bring in a photograph or artwork to be re-framed, or just bring in an emtpy frame you've had laying around for too long. You will earn TWENTY DOLLARS ($20) toward a NEW frame!

It's called "Funds for Frames" (like Cash for Clunkers), but it's a lot more fun. (THE BEST PART: all old frames will be donated to local art students.)

Above: local fiber expert Alene Peterson demonstrates the art of weaving on her loom.

You will be amazed, I promise, by what a new frame can do for your photos or artwork. And you have to admit, those shiny metal frames are so 1980's. Now is a great time to update a room (without spending a fortune on carpet and furniture).

Holiday Hours at Black Iris Gallery & Custom Framing are Tuesday - Saturday, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. We also take appointments any time.

Please call Black Iris at 715-635-4548 if you need anything related to art, matting, glass, framing, and gifts.

Above: customers making jewelry at a make-n-take station.

Happy Holidays, everyone!

Sincerely,
JoAnn

P.S. Only 26 days until Christmas! ;-)

Call for Artists: Black Iris Fine Arts show, October 17

Greetings, Artists and Art Lovers!

My 4th annual art show is coming up, and I'm looking for a few more artists to fill booth spaces. Each year the show gets better, and this year....

Oil lamp
Hand carved by Ed Schmidt, Frederic, WI

...YOU are invited to participate!

Thanks to excellent feedback from both customers and artists, the Black Iris Fine Arts Show (formerly the Heartwood show) is now HELD IN DOWNTOWN SPOONER and is significantly earlier this year--on Saturday, October 17, 2009. This is the same day as Spooner's new Jack O' Lantern Fest, so between the leaf-lovers in the area and the Pumpkin Fest go-ers, foot traffic will be excellent.

For more details or to print an application, please visit http://www.blackirisframing.com/artshow.php (scroll down part way to open the application).

If you have questions, please call me at 715-635-4548. Of course there's always e-mail, too: JoAnn@BlackIrisFraming.com.

I look forward to having you join us at the 4th Annual Black Iris Fine Arts Show. So far we have over a dozen booths filled with mediums ranging from pottery, painting, and photography to hand-made knives, jewelry, and glass work.

It's best to sign up now--booths are filling fast and cost only $50; you don't want to miss out!

Sincerely,
JoAnn

Black Iris Gallery & Custom Framing
715-635-4548
Hwy 63
Spooner, WI
http:/www.blackirisframing.com/artshow.php

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Carole's Watercolor Class a Success!

Hello, Art Lovers!

As I type this, Carole A. Burval (shown left, green shirt) is teaching a watercolor class in the hallway just outside my gallery door. Students have come from as far away as Hudson to take Carole's class, and I've heard nothing but positive feedback!

Carole's teaching style is patience mixed with humor and a lot of technique. She shares tips and advice from her many years as a professional painter and teacher, so you don't have to learn the hard way. Carole also asks about your goals for your work, and then she helps you get there. Carole is a sparkling diamond in Spooner's local art scene--we're so lucky to have her here.

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As you may already know, Carole's specialty is transparent watercolor painting. While I don't know everything there is to know about this challenging technique, I do know that what Carole does with thin layers of watercolor paint is absolutely amazing. She can use just one tube of paint (that's just one color--see above left for an example) to create an entire scene with all its moods, textures, shadows, details, and emotions. By changing the value and tone of the pigment (by using more or less water), Carole's works come alive.

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Please come visit us TONIGHT, 6 - 8 PM, for Carole's Artist Reception here at Black Iris Gallery (Hwy 63, Spooner, WI). We'll have food, wine, and fabulous fine art, plus you'll get to meet Carole and her very handsome husband.

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If you've always wanted to learn watercolor painting in a workshop setting rather than from "how-to" books, Carole Burval's classes are an excellent choice. To take a class from Carole, please contact her at her Web site or call 847-840-7731 (that's her cell #, which is the best way to reach her). She can let you know her upcoming schedule.

And now I have a question for you, Dear Readers! Are there other workshops you'd like to take? Are you interested in oil painting, black and white photography, or weaving? What about glass work, metalwork, or wood carving? Do you want to learn how to capture people's faces in charicature drawings? I have several artists who are interested in teaching classes, but most don't have room for group sessions in their home studios.

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To help them and you, I am coordinating an art class schedule for the remainder of 2009...so let us know what medium you're interested in. Please respond by posting a comment, below.

Thanks!

Artfully,

JoAnn

Left: Layer, shadow, & Light Lesson

My next event: The Black Iris Holiday Extravaganza!

Hello, everyone!

As you know, I love being busy, and I know you're busy, too. That's why this event is for you.

Join Black Iris & Friends for excellent holiday shopping in a fun, party-like atmosphere, including a free glass of wine. What could be better?

Details:
The Black Iris Holiday Extravaganza!
Monday evening, November 24, 2008
5 - 9 PM
At Black Iris Custom Framing
Hwy 63 in Spooner, WI
(Free parking on Oak Street)

At Black Iris, you'll meet 12 (yes, 12!) home party consultants selling all your favorite products--with no string of home parties to attend during your busy holiday season.

The Party Line Up
If you like food that tastes good but don't have time to cook all day, talk to Tina Pocernich at the Tastefully Simple table. If you need gifts, Leila Jenkins with Avon, Kitty Waggoner at Mary Kay, and Lorene Bohn from Aura Stella Jewelry are here to help you. If you are looking for home decor items, chat with Heidi Jo Sovacool who sells UpperCase Living products or with Anne Marie Wistad who loves At Home America's home decorating and gift-giving ideas.

If someone you know is getting married, see me (JoAnn) at Black Iris for The New Guestbook--an engravable picture mat that is the latest trend in weddings and other special events. I'll have a sample you can sign with the diamond-tipped pen--it's really cool!

Above: The New Signature Mat for
weddings and other events

If the college students in your life are moving to their first apartments, you can work with Cindy Avery from TupperWare. If you love candles for yourself or as great, last-minute gifts, talk to Tammy Tannehill, our Party Lite rep. Once those candles are lit, Kathy Doe with Pure Romance will show you what to do next. (Don't worry, this evening is rated "PG"!)

Remember Weekenders Clothing? It's been replaced by a fresh, modern company called KikaPaprika, and Heath Andrews (her real name) will show you all the latest styles for work and play. To make those clothes look great, of course you need good foundations. Talk to Bonnie Peterson, our Essential Body Wear rep. And for all those scrapbookers out there, Brenda Simeth from Creative Memories will be here too.

Don't miss The Black Iris Holiday Extravaganza! It's a great chance to stock up on essentials, buy gifts for everyone on your list, have fun, and get out of the house for an evening of girl-time.

See you Monday night, Nov 24!

Sincerely,
JoAnn

Both Satellites are now OPEN

Hello, everyone!

Yes, we finally did it! Both satellite locations are open and taking orders! One is in Danbury, WI at Homestead Embroidery & Gifts, and the other is in Stone Lake, WI at The TimberShed. Now customers in Burnett and Sawyer Counties can place framing orders close to home.

With the price of gas so high now, I decided to go to the customers, instead of waiting for them to come to me. And it seems to be working! We've already placed an order in Danbury, and once the Stone Lake store opens tomorrow (fishing opener), we will have more orders coming in soon.

Please stop in and say hello to Deb & Ken in Danbury (located next to the hardware store) and Bill & Karen in Stone Lake (located behind the red schoolhouse). They all have good business heads, they show professionalism at all times, and are just really nice people to know. I'm honored to be working with them.

Sincerely,
JoAnn

The $2,200 Picture!

Hi, everyone.

I am continually amazed by the generosity of hard-working, small town Americans. And Spooner in particular seems to have more than its share of generous souls!

Here's the story: A woman I know, who wished to remain anonymous, arrived in my gallery early this week and gave me a vintage photograph of the original Spooner High School (built in 1905). She refused to take anything in return, so I offered to frame it and donate it to the Cortec Victims’ Fundraiser that was last night (May 1). This event was sponsored by the Spooner Area Chamber of Commerce, and they found an auctioneer in the audience to auction it off. When two local businesswomen drove the bidding up to $1,100, one said to the other, “Let’s both buy it, and then donate the picture to the new school.” And they did, so the picture sold for $2,200! What a windfall for the fundraiser! To see the picture in person, stop by the gallery—they asked me to display it for the public until the new school opens in 2009.

Thank you, Mary & Wayne Hanson of Stresau Labs and Carol Sorenson of Red Cross Pharmacy for your generous, winning bids!

JoAnn

We're getting good BUZZ!

Hi, everone! Things are really moving now!

We plan to open our Danbury satellite location, inside Homestead Embroidery & Gifts, by April 15. I have the moulding and matting samples ready to go, and I'll be training Deb's staff next week. I can't wait! Our Stone Lake satellite at The TimberShed will open on May 3.

For the past two weeks, I have been running a "teaser" ad in the Wild Rivers Advertiser, which I'll continue right into May. I've been getting phone calls about my big news, and people have been saying really good things about our two new locations. The biggest question I'm hearing is, "Who is going to run your other stores?"

Let me explain how satellite locations work in framing: Customers who live in the Stone Lake and Danbuy areas will be able to place their orders close to home. Danburyans will go to Homestead Embroidery & Gifts, and Stone Lakers will go to The TimberShed. The staff at these locations will help the framing customer choose mats and frames for their work, price the order, and take the deposit.

Each week, I'll collect the orders and deposits, then build the frames and cut the mats back in Spooner, in my frame shop. Once the orders are complete, I will deliver them back to their respective satellite locations. At the end of every month, I will send each store a commission check based on their sales that month. It's a snap!

With the price of gas these days, customers who live out of town are now traveling less and less. By opening two satellite locations, I am going to the customer, providing added service and value for their money.

Stop in and say hello the next time you're in Spooner--my Spooner location on River Street (Hwy 63) will remain the flagship store of Black Iris Gallery & Custom Framing.

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

Welcome to by Web Log ('Blog)!

Hi, everyone. Welcome to my 'Blog.

I have wanted to start a 'Blog since I bought the Black Iris Gallery & Custom Framing two years ago. What stopped me is that most of my customers are Baby Boomers or older, and sometimes they don't use the Internet as much as my generation and those younger do to find what they're looking for. But so what!

I want to reach all my customers, not just the Baby Boomers. I have often found myself wanting to share funny framing stories ("Did you say you want to frame your severed thumb?") as well as educate customers on the importance of conservation framing. You just wouldn't believe what I have found in the back of frames when I open them up for inspection or cleaning or reframing. I'll share those stories in future posts, I promise!

When it hit me that a 'Blog would be a great place to educate people on the importance of quality framing for the longevity of their artwork, I included "Create a Black Iris Web log" as one of my 2008 business goals. So here we are!

Some facts about me, in case you're "new to JoAnn": I am an identical twin, and her Web site is here. My husband and I also own Spooner's bowling center called Kegler's Pub & Pin, right upstairs from my gallery. View his Web site here. I have been a custom picture framer since March 2006, and I love it! I am a member of the Professional Picture Framers Association, and I plan to sit for the CPF (Certifed Picture Framer) exam in January 2009. Once I become a CPF, I will be the area's only certified framer. This means you can trust my methods and materials with even your most valuable art purchases.

Enjoy my 'Blog, everyone--I'll try to keep it interesting and relevant. Please post replies, too--I would love to hear from you. I am always open to advice and feedback, so please, share your ideas with me!

Have a great day.