What services do we offer?
we will handle the request.
Custom Frames
We can supply your frames from over 25 companies. Our display will show you over 8000 framing samples that can be used to make your frame. Whether you want solid wood, veneer or painted frames—carved or plain from almost every period of history, or new high tech metal – we have them all on display.
Creative Mat Designs
With the help of our computerized mat cutter and design software, we can draw, write-on, and cut almost anything you can show us. Our creative designs will allow you to have something that no other person has in their home. The design idea came from you, and no other home or room will have the same ora. The items used are from your designer mind, and even though other people have physical objects, they don’t have your design mind.
Photo Restoration & Repair
Our restoration department can put new life back in your pictures by repairing the image, add color where it has been lost or removed. We can also remove unwanted items in your photos and create the photo image the way you desire in the picture.
Glass/ Glazing Replacement
We will replace your glass with conservation grade glass or acrylic if you want, or we will install and replace it with the same type you had in the frame. You now replace it with glazing that blocks UV rays and also does not reflect images from your room.
Frame Restoration, Repair & Custom Finishing
When you have a frame that needs a little help, we will repair or replace missing pieces. If you don’t like the look, we will refinish the framing. We can fix most frames, but sometimes it is less expensive to replace them with a new framework that looks like the old one.
Framed Mirror
We can supply a new mirror—standard or beveled — to fit your frame, or we will create a new structure.
Shadow Boxes or Display Case: We will take your ideas and your collectible, build a shadowbox, or showcase that will display your collectibles in the way you want to show them. With all the materials we have to show you, there will be the right combination to handle the project. We can show you pictures of other people’s plans, but no two are ever the same, because we are building this showcase just for you.
Oil Painting Cleaning & Repair
We will clean your oil painting to remove the signs of aging and varnish to protect. Minor repairs can be included in your cleaning
Stretch & Mounting
We can mount the artwork in many ways; place it on the museum board with specially designed holders or with a henge made of paper or cloth to the backing board. You might want it applied with a mounting adhesive to the mount board. These adhesives can be reversible or permanent. Hence the method used is critical to the life of the artwork. We will explain all the techniques when you bring us your artwork to frame. An inexpensive item today may have great value in the future, and that is the reason to handle it correctly today.
We frame anything …..Frameable!
What do we frame?
The simple answer would be everything, but in reality, not everything needs a frame to display. But everything you want to show can be done using a picture frame.
What can we frame for you?
We Make Framing Affordable
Quality Custom Picture Framing for over 50 years from our Costa Mesa locations
Whether you would like to frame your child’s artwork, display memorabilia from your time in the military service, or preserve your favorite poster- needlework, we will walk you through the entire custom framing process. From inspiration to creation of your final product, we will be beside you all the way. With our affordable pricing, professional experience, you can rest assured you are receiving quality results at a high price. If for chance, you don’t find the exact frame you want, we will create the design just for you.
That is what Custom Framing is all about — creating just for you the experience you want.
Diploma, Certificates and Awards
“Conservation doesn’t cost money—– it can save you money.”
When you consider the cost of education, a diploma is the most expensive piece of paper most people will ever own. It should be protected appropriately and presented by using proper quality framing. Choose classic for your diploma design that will endure.
It is best to hang your diploma away from direct sunlight, in a location that is dry and free from dramatic temperature shifts. Exposure to direct sunlight speeds up oxidation, which can lead to the gradual bleaching or discoloration of the document paper. Dramatic temperature shifts can also lead to the deterioration of your document as well since paper fibers expand in humid climates and contact in a dry basement or a high-humidity location because such conditions can promote mold growth on your diploma document. The ideal situation for your framed certificate would be around 70 degrees Fahrenheit and 50 percent humidity.
Historical and Collectable Papers
Because historical papers are usually one of a kind produced on paper (leather, skin, or other natural materials), they need conservation (preservation) materials to protect.
We will provide conservation matting, backing, and glazing that will protect them for many years.
Limited Edition Prints
Some publishers use high-quality printers, ink, and paper to produce high-quality Giclee prints. Many of them are open edition, but they are the caliber of many limited edition works.
Unlike open edition prints, limited editions have the potential to increase in value. When the artist signs and numbers prints, they automatically tend to start at a higher price. To ensure that both the current and potential future value is protected, we suggest conservation framing. Limited editions are treated more like original art and generally framed neutrally and classically frame
Military Memorabia and keepsakes
If you have a box filled with cherished memorabilia that could honor a soldier’s achievements, we have an excellent idea for you.
We can create a beautiful frame featuring your photos, medals, patches, correspondence, and any other items you might have.
What better way to show how proud you are of a special war hero?
There are many ways to present the past and present, and framing these objects and photographs will keep them in your thoughts forever.
The quantity of these objects can often be overwhelming.
But we can work with you to custom design the perfect memorabilia display.
This display of your cherished military memories will not only tell a story but will also honor your loved one.
Needlework and Woven Textiles
Here at The Starving Artist, we believe that the frame you choose should always be an extension of the piece of artwork you are framing.
When you take the time to create a stunning piece of needlework, we will provide the same effort in picking the framing package that will preserve its beauty and show its quality. No hand-made embroidery should sit on a shelf or be placed away in storage
Posters
Posters are often looked down on as being somewhat inferior to other types of prints. Some are printed on flimsy paper, using cheap ink, but many open edition posters are equal in caliber to fine art prints. Rather than framing the poster in an inexpensive “poster” frame, try mats or stacked moldings like you would use for other types of art. Suddenly the ordinary open-edition print looks more like a work of art.
Tip: Posters, like other art, should not come in direct contact with the glass. Since open-edition posters, many are often framed without mats, be sure to ask for spacers to keep the glass from touching the front of your poster.
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As stated above–”not all posters are created equal” — A few years ago, we had a customer bring in a poster he had purchased in New Orleans at the “Mardi Gras.” The vendor was selling posters of the floats; it was their first year; this float had been in the parade. Cutting to the chase–He came home a put tacks in it to display–Two years later, he was back in the “French Quarters” looking in an art gallery and saw his $20.00 poster was now selling for $250.00. Thinking he had a real gem with his purchase, he wanted to frame it for sale.
He came into our gallery to get it framed and sold by us on consignment.
I had to explain that his poster was not in “mint” condition because of the method he used to display it on his wall.
We told him how the resale value of a poster (limited edition) increases in value. Start with 1000 display posters that are for sale and then determine how most of them are framed. Take the first 500 will be used as display items and not have a frame. The next 400 will have a simple poster frame with the glass on top of the poster, no matting. That leaves you with about 100 that could receive custom framing. Of that 100, maybe 50 receive a conservation custom frame. This 50 will increase in value and be valued at the cost of 1000 or more because they are now truly “limited.”
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What has limited value today might have great value in the future—
“Conservation doesn’t cost money; it can save you money.”
Retirement Gift
Why give a GOLD WATCH?
When most people think of a retirement gift, they think of a watch. It’s the tried and true gift that companies give employees to say thanks for all the years of hard work. It’s a great gift on behalf of the company if you’re the lucky individual enlisted with planning the retirement party. Still, you’re probably in need of a personalized gift on behalf of everyone at the office. Let me recommend a SIGNATURE MAT that everyone can express their love to the retiree.
But, why not give an affordable gift that will be a personalized, lifetime keepsake from everyone attending the farewell party and yet something that would make a beautiful presentation to wish the retiree well on the next stage of their life. Is there such a gift with all these qualities and still be original?
Well, there is, and it’s called a signature mat and frame, and it encompasses all of these great qualities by displaying pictures of the retiree surrounded with signatures and messages from friends and co-workers. The signed mat,
complimented with photographs will make a memorable gift at a retirement party.
To make a fun presentation at the party, you can fill the mat with older photos of the person during their time at work and also personal pictures of them throughout their life, such as their hobbies, old graduation pictures, etc. That way, when friends and colleagues sign the frame, they will have a chance to reminisce about their friends while having fun looking at how much they have changed over the years. Be sure to take some new photographs at the party to be added.
This perfect and affordable gift personalized will become lifetime keepsake from everyone attending the farewell party and yet something that would make a beautiful presentation to wish the retiree well on the next stage of their life. Is there such a gift with all these qualities and still be original?
Well, there is, and it’s called a signature mat and frame, and will encompass all of these great qualities by displaying pictures of the retiree surrounded with signatures and messages from friends and co-workers. The signed mat,
complimented with photographs will make a memorable gift at a retirement party.
To make a fun presentation at the party, you can fill the mat with older photos of the person during their time at work and also personal pictures of them throughout their life, such as their hobbies, old graduation pictures, etc. That way, when friends and colleagues sign the frame, they will have a chance to reminisce about their friends while having fun looking at how much they have changed over the years. Be sure to take some new photographs at the party that will be added to the frame as a way to remember this final farewell memory.
This simple, fun retirement gift will provide years of happy memories for the retiree by displaying a lifetime of work memories while at the same time providing a personal memento from fellow employees and friends.
School Pictures
Every year you are presented with a visual history of your child’s growth and a record of their years in school. One of the best methods is to offer them a growth mat and frame. The growth mat and frame that shows your childs growth through the school years or you can preserve each year in its display mat.
We will show you the many methods of these pictures, and items from their school years will be displayed and protected. Whether you only frame the image or include an item from the year, we will show you ideas for your preservation project.
Shadowbox
Our lives are in a three-dimensional world. We create unique framing for this type of collection of objects. The extra depth of our Shadowboxes allows you to display your treasured 3_D keepsakes in a manner that showcases the items.
A shadowbox can be displayed on a tabletop, fireplace, shelve, countertop, wall, or any place you want to show your keepsakes.
So why keep your memories in a shadow box? The primary reason is to enjoy today and safeguard for future generations.
But, What items are you ready to display?
One unique item may be your pressed flowers from your wedding, prom date, or any other time you have received a flower.
Another might be Sports Memorabilia from a sporting event, or that special jersey, baseball (basketball, golf ball, and club, or any other souvenier.
Military service memory items, like service ribbons, awards
Vacation memories like the seashells you picked up on the beach, travel memories of the placed you visited.
Another item to preserve is your wedding dress or other clothing you want to preserve
A mix of things that commemorate a special occasion or recall that unique vacation or a gift you want to display.
We will craft and create a shadowbox just for you.
Sports Jersey and Memorbila
We will help you design the display case that shows your collection in either a frame or shadowbox that allows you to tell the story of why this item is essential to you.
We wanted to tell the story of this race and the rider who won the metals.
We started with a black shadowbox frame with black fabric as the base. On this, we attached the jersey with plastic ties and added the photo and metals.
Same idea as above, but we added another frame around the photo to bring out more detail about the race. As you can see, this women’s jersey, worn by one of our race bike riders.
The display of his yellow jersey includes a signed picture of the other riders in the race. Again we used the same black shadowbox on all of their jersey’s
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Watercolors
Watercolor paintings are generally matted and placed behind glass or acrylic. Watercolor paint tends to look light and airy and has a translucent quality. To maintain that look, avoid mats and frames that are dark and heavy. The artist’s pallet is the best guide in the selection of mat and frame colors. Yet, sometimes, you will not be able to follow these general rules.
Tip: Watercolors are original art. Make sure they are correctly preserved by using appropriate conservation grade framing materials to protect their value and their longevity.
Watercolor paintings are generally matted and placed behind glass or acrylic. Watercolor paint tends to look light and airy, and it has a translucent quality. To maintain that look, avoid mats and frames that are dark and heavy.
Tip: Watercolors are original art. Make sure they are correctly preserved by using appropriate conservation grade framing materials to protect their value and their longevity.
You can trust us with your artwork.
Custom Picture Framing is a highly specialized service that you won’t find at your average hobby shop. It requires detailed knowledge of the requirement of the different materials and media used in fine art, as well as a skillful hand in the actual creation and assembly of the frame and mounting of the artwork.
