Hanging a piece of art or portrait of a loved involves the right colors, lines, location, and overall aesthetic. Why would you give any less consideration to what goes in to having it displayed?
The popularity of custom framing is increasing as art lovers and do-it-yourself home decorators have learned that it’s not just enhancing the artwork, but really making it their own. What’s offered in retail stores is narrowly limited and typically comes in standard sizes only. Custom art display, whether original, print, or photo may be boundless in sizes, frame material, and both mat size and color. Even the glass can be selectively chosen.
Preserving and protecting that art can be equally as important. Commonly found frames and mats can contain materials that age or discolor pieces and cheap glass can allow direct ultraviolet light, which may further wash out or alter art and photos.
“It’s really satisfying to see it transformed,” says Glenn Woxland, proprietor of Glenn’s Frame Shop, located in Suite 108 in the Mill Street Mall in Rushford. “Every piece is a challenge, but I like that.”
This isn’t Woxland’s first foray into the work. In the late ‘80s and early ‘90s, when the framing of wildlife prints was at its peak, Woxland found his way into the hobby of framing. “I had the idea one day to do it myself. I bought some equipment and prints at a decent price and got started,” he says. “I had a love of art and enjoyed working with my hands.”
Not too long after, word of his newfound talent and hobby got around the community and others were seeking him out for services. “It was a hobby that turned into a business,” he chuckles. “I made some money and bought better equipment.”
At the time, he was working only out of his home. As demand increased, Woxland decided to partner with sister-in-law Lori Woxland to open his first shop, “The Framery.” The shop occupied a space in the G.S. Woxland building, on Mill Street, where Glenn and his family operated a successful plumbing and heating business.
As typically does with trying to having multiple jobs, Woxland found himself too busy to juggle both effectively and ended up selling the early framing business in the mid-’90s. In the last few years though, the hobby found itself back into his daily life. In April 2018, Glenn received a full heart transplant, following a diagnosis of congestive heart failure and surgery 16 years prior and again recently in 2015-2016. It prompted him reevaluate things and he retired last year, giving him ample time to return to custom framing. He officially opened the shop this past April.
While some of the work is still done at his home, the suite in the mall has provided a visible downtown location and good exposure. It was remodeled prior to use to suit Woxland’s needs, including custom work tables, cupboards for storage, and a wall for frame samples. That wall now showcases hundreds of mat and frame samples. According to Woxland there are thousands of possibilities and if he doesn’t have a sample to match what the customer wants, the materials can be ordered. The frames alone can be metal, wood, composite or other materials.
“I let the customer tell me what they want and try to provide enough matte and frame samples, but I’ll make recommendations for them, too,” adds Woxland.
Once selections are made, the materials for matting and framing are gathered, or ordered, and laid out. The frame stock is cut and carefully pieced together, the glass cut, and the entirety assembled. “If I have what they want on hand, I can whip out a finished product quickly. If I have to order, it generally comes out of Minneapolis and I can have it completed within two to three days,” he says.
Thus far, most of the clientele has been local, but customers from outlying areas are beginning to trickle in. While he’s considered partnering up for local businesses, there are no current plans in the works. Woxland has found himself busy enough, once again.
Glenn’s Frame Shop is open Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. or you can call for an appointment at (507) 864-2008 or (507) 259-8363.
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