Wedding Gowns
Typically, your wedding dress gets packed away for several years, unused and forgotten, until your daughter wants to wear it on her own wedding day. When you unpack it, the fabric is yellowed, moth-eaten and unwearable. Why not prevent that damage and put it on display? You'll be reminded of your special day every time you see it, and framing will keep it safe from the elements. We only use reversible mounting methods so the dress will be in pristine condition should your daughter want to wear it one day.

Vintage Family Heirlooms
Preserve your family's history by framing old wedding keepsakes you have tucked away. The old newspaper announcement, Grandma's lace gloves, and that charming vintage portrait will all be better preserved in a custom frame. Put your heritage on display so those precious family memories will not be forgotten.

Create a custom design that is as unique as your graduate!
You can choose whatever frame moulding and style suits your personality and decor. Different design options completely change how a diploma looks! For an interesting twist, incorporate bold school colors, textured fabric mats, complementary fillets, or metallics that match the diploma seal. Consider including photos, class pictures, graduation announcements, tassels, and caps to personalize your framed diploma. Transform graduation memorabilia into memories your graduate will treasure forever.

Classic Design
High school and college diplomas have a very traditional, classic style. Ornate diploma fonts are generally paired with a metallic seal on an off-white parchment. You can design your project in any decor style you wish, but you can never go wrong with these classic looks.

Preserve Your Diploma For Years To Come - Custom Framing Can Extend The Life Of Your Diploma
Diplomas are meant to be displayed and enjoyed for years - sometimes even a lifetime. If framed improperly, your diploma could quickly show the effects of time, sun damage, and acid burn. Don't let this important document be ruined! Proper custom framing helps preserve your diploma with UV protected glass, and acid-free matboard and materials. This keeps the document in an environment that slows deterioration.

A Few Tips on Storing Your Diploma Before Framing...

• Avoid keeping your diploma in direct contact with acidic materials like cardboard. You'd be amazed at how quickly acid can discolor a document!
  
• Don't keep your diploma in direct sunlight. Fading and discoloration can occur extremely fast with an unprotected document.
  
• Store your document flat. Rolling it increases the chance of getting permanent waves in the materials, or even worse, wrinkles and creases.
  

A Brief History Lesson...
Diplomas used to be a work of art, featuring intricate calligraphy and designs, hand-lettered on sheepskin. They were traditionally rolled because if folded, they would crease and eventually break. It was also easier to handle rolled documents while traveling. The diploma was developed as a communication tool - traveling scholars needed to prove that they were "certified." Now it communicates your credentials to your clientele, still serving the same essential function.

Today, degrees are commonplace; thousands of students earn some form of diploma or degree every year. Printing diplomas on paper rather than sheepskin is much more cost-effective. As technology advanced, diploma designs became more basic; embossing, colored ink, and metallic seals are now the norm.

Framing sports memorabilia is the perfect way to relive game-winning moments

Sporting events, star athletes, and our favorite sports teams are important parts of our lives and represent so many amazing moments. Over the years, we collect all kinds of sports memorabilia, like pictures, ticket stubs, articles, game programs, and jerseys. These items remind us of the great game-winning memories and talented team players who have added so much to our lives.

You've got boxes and boxes of sports memorabilia, probably stored under the bed or in a closet behind the hats that you never wear. Not only have you forgotten the memories that brought such joy, but your items are unprotected from the ravages of time. That's no way to enjoy them!

Bring that feeling back by framing these items so that you can look at them every day. Not only are you creating a conversation piece, you're also passing those memories along - some of them historical. And the bonus? Now they are protected from the elements that can age them.

If you answered YES to any of these questions, you need a custom framed mirror! We can help!

If you choose a mirror with a beveled edge, make the mirror large enough so that the edge does not interrupt the main reflection.

Only use one large mirror per room. Too many reflections can be visually confusing.

Avoid small "face only" mirrors - save the small mirrors for trays.

A mirror should take up 1/2 to 3/4 of the viewable wall space if it is not bundled with other wall decor items. Balance your positive and negative space.

For tight areas like bathrooms, measure your maximum available space and make sure your framer knows your size limitation.

The most primitive "mirror" was looking at one's reflection in a dark pool of water.

At one time, mirrors were quite expensive and rare. In 1835, German chemist Justus von Liebig applied a silver metallic coating to one side of a piece of glass. This process made mass production of mirrors available and mirror use became widespread.

Some cultures cover mirrors after the death of a loved one, believing that mirrors would trap the soul of the departed and prevent them from going to the afterlife.

Some believe that hanging a mirror (which represents the element water) over a fireplace (which represents the element fire) balances the elements of nature.

Conservation Framing
We use the very best materials for your projects because we want your art and heirlooms to survive for a lifetime without change of color, damage from glues, or out-gassing from materials that are not acid-free.

The holidays are here, and we don't want your project to be late! Here are our holiday hours so that you can give your gift on Christmas Day! Our order cut-off date this year is Wednesday, December 14th by 5:30 pm. Orders must be received in store by 5:30 pm Wednesday, December 14th for completion by Christmas. (Limited moulding, matboard, and glass selection may be available for orders with a less than three-week turn-around. Does not apply to shadowboxes. Rush fee may apply.) Looking for something simple? We have gift certificates!

Deck The Halls
Original Lyrics

Do you really know the lyrics to "Deck The Halls?" The original lyrics? The melody is older than the lyrics, which were written in 1862 and credited to Thomas Oliphant. It was originally written to celebrate the New Year...the lyrics were revised in 1877. We challenge you to sing it this way while you are out caroling.

Original lyrics / Current Lyrics

Deck the Halls with boughs of holly, / Deck the halls with boughs of holly
'Tis the season to be jolly / 'Tis the season to be jolly
Fill the mead cup, drain the barrel, / Don we now our gay apparel,
Troul* the ancient Yuletide carol, / Troll the ancient Christmas carol,
See the flowing bowl before us, / See the blazing yule before us,
Strike the harp, and join in chorus: / Strike the harp and join the chorus:
Follow me in merry measure, / Follow me in merry measure,
While I sing of beauty's treasure. / While I tell of Christmas treasure.
Fast away the old year passes, / Fast away the old year passes,
Hail the new, ye lads and lasses! / Hail the new, ye lads and lasses!
Laughing quaffing* all together, / Sing we joyous all together,
Heedless of the wind and weather. / Heedless of the wind and weather.
Fa, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la! / Fa, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la!

*Troul: To sing in a loud hearty voice
*Quaffing: to drink a beverage, especially an intoxicating one, copiously and with hearty enjoyment

Music is much more than notes on a page. Louis Armstrong knew the joy it brought into our lives when he said, "Music is life itself." Do you know what else it does?

"Most people die with their music still locked up inside them." - Benjamin Disraeli

Show off the music that brings you to life! Bring it to us with a song in your heart, and we'll show you the possibilities!

Dimensional objects are typically framed in what is called a shadowbox, which is a case with a protective transparent front used for displaying objects. Simple enough, but how is the framing process actually done? Let's break down a few things that make framing shadowboxes unique.

When you bring your mementos to us, you expect the best, and that is exactly what you will get from start to finish. We organize, design, and create complex framing projects from your treasures. From creative ideas to hanging hardware, we provide innovative design and quality workmanship, so you can enjoy your memories for years.

In custom framing, heritage generally refers to family history (think genealogy), something that is passed down from previous generations. Vintage refers to something that essentially means "old," an item from a previous time.

Can something be both vintage and heritage? Yes! Look at these examples. We think any picture, hand-written note, or personal treasure handed down through the generations is heritage and can be considered heirlooms. But, these items are also old and hearken back to a specific time, so they are vintage as well. What do you think?

Celebrate Pride Month 2022 with Ken's Custom Frames' colorful selection of mouldings. Now through June 30th, we are offering 25% off select rainbow mouldings.* We're proud to celebrate with the LGBTQ+ community and champion the importance of diversity in the workplace and beyond.
*Discount applies to select mouldings as indicated in-store. Discount valid in-store through June 30th, 2022. Discount cannot be combined with any other offer. Not valid on gift certificates or previous purchases. No cash back.

5925 Wedgwood Drive
Fort Worth, TX 76133
817.292.7842

www.kenscustomframes.com

Wendy A. Williamson, Owner & President
wendy@kenscustomframes.com

The 94th Academy Awards will be televised on March 27th. The nominees for Best Picture are:

Belfast, Coda, Don't Look Up, Drive My Car,
Dune, King Richard, Licorice Pizza,
Nightmare Alley, The Power of the Dog, West Side Story

---

Each Oscar statue is gold-plated, weighs 8.5 pounds, and costs $500 to produce.
Academy Award winners have to sign an agreement stating that if they want to sell their statue,
the Academy has first rights to buy it for only $1!

BABY PORTRAIT: This darling cuddly baby deserves to be surrounded by a frame that is warm and soft. The frames all share a delicate element, tying in with the nature of the portrait. There is no need for matting because the blanket in the portrait serves that visual purpose.

ABSTRACT LANDSCAPE: Abstract art naturally lends itself to a world of possibilities. This focal point is obvious, but do you go with the neutral mat? Or a mat the color of sunshine? Or the color of the mountains? How fun do you want it to be?

RUSTIC HOME: Here’s a throwback look of a rugged house in the woods. Because it has a subtle, serene feel, we didn’t get too crazy with the design. We varied the mat colors just a bit. Which one works for you?

MOTHER AND DAUGHTER: Mother and daughter, is there anything more special? A classic black mat was used to contrast with the lightness of the portrait. So, the next question is what kind of frame? A striking bold silver, a feminine antique, or a gentle silver with soft curves mimicking the waves in their hair?

POMEGRANATE PAINTING: This lovely painting depicts ripe pomegranates harvested from the landscape in the background. Do you choose the lively silver frame with wood accents and curves that work with the pomegranates, or the gold/silver coloring to coordinate with your décor? Or a darker coloring for contrast? The choice is yours.

WEDDING PORTRAIT: The wedding portrait is timeless, but what style is best for you?

1. A soft black frame for a strong feel but doesn’t compete with the groom’s suit.
   
2. A traditional gold frame with soft curves for an elegant look.
   
3. A silver frame to soften the feel, yet still quite elegant.
   
4. A classic wood frame with black accents to tie it all together.
   
5. Or a pure white frame encircling the bride's dress.
   

What will your room be wearing this year?
Very Peri could be an overall color if you are bold enough, but it will probably work best as an accent color.
Muted greens can work as understated wall colors or accents.

*Guaranteed Christmas completion is only available using select materials. Special order matboards and moulding will not be available with this promotion. Does not apply to specialty projects such as shadowboxes. See store for details. Orders accepted after December 15th will be subject to a rush fee.

Ken’s Custom Frames
5925 Wedgwood Drive
Fort Worth, TX 76133
817.292.7842
www.kenscustomframes.com

The center of framed art is usually hung at eye level, or about 60" above the floor.
The rules for mirror placement are a little different.

How many terms did you know?
You knew all 26 - You must be a framer!
You knew 16-25 - You must be an artist, designer or have LOTS of things framed.
You knew 6-15 - You've had several pieces framed OR you listen to us when we talk.
You knew 5 or less - We need to see you more often! Stop by today!