About Us 
Welcome to Black Iris Gallery and Custom Framing
We sell gifts for a lifetime.
All questions answered by JoAnn Martin, Professional Framer
FAQ Quick Links:
- How did you get into framing?
- How does custom framing work?
- Do you provide price estimates?
- Do you deliver?
- Why do you require a 50% deposit?
- Why does custom framing cost so much?
- When can I expect to pick up my finished piece?
- Why should I pay for custom framing when I can buy ready-made frames?
- How should I care for my artwork?
- How does a framer become certified?
- What did you do before you bought the Black Iris?
- I'm an artist. Can I sell my work in your gallery?
- I want to paint/throw/carve/weave, not sell. Any advice?
- Why don't you generally sell wildlife art?
- Glossary of art terms
Q: How did you get into framing?
A: First, I fell in love with the art of Hungarian artist Csaba Markus (pronounced CHA-ba MAR-koos) when Andrew and I saw his work. We bought two of his pieces, Eos and Innocenta, and they now hang in our shop, the Black Iris Gallery and Custom Framing.
When we took our third Markus piece to Katherine and Kathleen to be matted and framed, they told us their shop was for sale. I guess the rest is history!
Q: How does custom framing work?
A: The staff and I at Black Iris Gallery and Custom Framing work with you to create wall-worthy art that you'll cherish for a lifetime. Our job is to ask you lots of questions, listen closely to your answers, and create, with your help, an art, matting, and moulding package that matches your wants and needs. At Black Iris Gallery and Custom Framing, your complete satisfaction is our top priority.
Q: Do you provide price estimates?
A: Yes, and they are free. To expedite the process for you, however, we do ask that you bring your piece to the Gallery so that we can measure it. An accurate size measurement is the most important factor in pricing custom framing.
A: Yes, upon request, we will make every effort to deliver your finished piece to you! Local delivery is free; charges apply if your piece needs to be shipped.
Q:Why do you require a 50% deposit?
A: I consider the 50% deposit I require a binding contract. You have hired me, a professional framer, to perform a job for you, the customer. Only when the work is completed will you pay me in full.
However, before I can begin my work, I need a good-faith indicator that you will, indeed, pay your bill. A 50% deposit tells me you will pick up and pay for the work when it's completed; it also allows me to order materials and supplies. Finally, I have found this to be true: customers who gladly pay a 50% deposit always pick up their work right away. Customers who don't, don't. Just human nature, I guess!
Q: Why does custom framing cost so much?
A: One reason custom framing is expensive is due to the rising cost of labor and materials. The current cost of wood, for instance, has noticeably increased moulding and matting prices in the past few years.
Another reason custom framing is pricey is because professional framers are highly trained specialists, much like carpenters or mechanics. As a professional framer, I hold the highly technical skills needed to build your frame by hand, right here in my custom frame shop. I will build your matting and framing package for you myself--I do not contract the work to others.
In addition, custom framing is labor intensive. From the moment you drop off your piece to the time it's ready to hang, your artwork will go through the more than four dozen steps it takes to choose, build, and assemble a framing package.
Finally (and here's the big benefit to you), your framed piece will last generations, from 100 to 200 years or longer, depending on the materials you choose.
A famous framer named Tim Franer once told me, "The bitterness of poor quality lasts longer than the sweetness of a low price." His ultimate message? That as a framer, my job is to help you choose what's best for you, for your lifestyle, and most importantly, for the longevity of your artwork.
Q: When can I expect to pick up my finished piece?
A: Standard turn-around time is 2 - 3 weeks to allow for the delivery of custom-ordered materials and the time-consuming nature of our work.
For faster turn-around times, please inquire. We proudly offer an extensive in-stock selection of moulding and mats, so a turn-around time of as little as 24 hours has been known to happen (yes, it's true--a custom frame in less than a day!). Rush charges do apply.
Q: Do you guarantee your work?
A: Only by working with a professional framer can you be sure you're getting the best quality products and services while making the best possible choices for your artwork. That's why, at the Black Iris Gallery and Custom Framing, your satisfaction is my top priority, and all my work is guaranteed.
If you are not happy with your finished piece, simply contact JoAnn within 7 days of receiving your finished piece. I want you to be completely satisfied with your purchase, so I am happy to make reasonable efforts to satisfy your concerns.
Q: Why should I pay for custom framing when I can buy ready-made frames?
A: There are six main reasons my clients choose custom framing:
1. When size matters. When the dimensions of your piece or the wall on which you're going to hang it are unique, custom framing is an excellent choice.
2. When quality is important. Having your valuable artwork custom framed by chaintstore staff is risky because not all framers are professionally trained. At the Black Iris, JoAnn graduated from the American Picture Framing Academy and regurlary takes hands-on seminars to remain current on design trends and framing techniques.
3. For unlimited selection. At Black Iris Gallery and Custom Framing, we have an amazing selection of in-stock moulding to enhance any poster, print, needlework, 3-D object, diploma, or fine art. Any moulding we don't have in stock we can have in the store in 24 - 48 hours. Your choices are limitless.
4. For personal expression. Your decorating tastes are a form of self-expression. Custom framing allows you to extend and enhance your decor and gift-giving tastes in a way that is unique only to you.
5. When conservation and preservation is important. When a piece is sentimentally or monetarily valuable, or when you plan to pass it on to your children or grandchildren, you want it to last forever. Only certified conservation techniques can ensure your valuable possession will be handled and framed with archival quality products.
6. To patronize an independent dealer. Custom frame shops like the Black Iris Gallery and Custom Framing in Spooner, Wisconsin, are not chain stores. By patronizing the Black Iris and Spooner's other local stores, you are making personal buying choices rather than accepting the philosophies of large corporations. You are also supporting a local businesswoman who grew up here, taught at the local high school, shops locally, attends a local church, makes donations to local charities, and pays local taxes, just like you do. Thank you for choosing the Black Iris for your framing needs!
Q: How should I care for my artwork?
A: There are five important factors in caring for your art.
1. Proper matting, glass, and frame: As a professional framer, I recommend and always use archival quality mat boards that are acid-free and will not damage your artwork. Mats come in many colors and fabrics and conserve your artwork by keeping the glass from touching your valuable art. When left to rest on art, glass will cause damage over time; an air space between your artwork and the glass is a must.
2. Cleaning: I recommend dusting your framed artwork every four to six weeks. Do not use harsh glass or wood cleaners that contain ammonia. Feather dusters may scratch glass and moulding finishes, so simply use a clean, soft cloth and spray a mild cleaner on the cloth, not the glass or frame. Work slowly and gently.
3. Excessive Light: To prevent most damage from all sources of light, we use on our own artwork and recommend for your artwork a clear or non-glare glass with a UV coating. It is sunscreen for your artwork, and it works.
But remember, all light is damaging. Harm to artwork is cumulative, permanent, and irreversible. Damagng light comes from sunlight as well as from artificial lights such as fluorescents and metal halogen lamps. Incandescent lighting is also very damaging over time. Visit the Black Iris Gallery and ask to see our samples of light-damaged art and mats if you have questions.
4. Temperatures and humidity: Common sense precautions will keep your art safe from heat and humidity. Most importantly, do not store your artwork in attics, basements, or garages, and do not hang it in bathrooms or over fireplaces. We recommend using air conditioners, humidifiers, and dehumidifiers to control the environment in your home or workplace. We also strongly recommend hanging valuable prints and originals on interior walls only, away from the temperature and moisture variances of an exterior wall.
5. Storage: Unframed pieces must always be stored flat, never rolled. When not displaying your framed artwork, store it in a safe place. Ideally, choose a completely dark environment with a steady temperature below 70 degrees Fahrenheit and a steady relative humidity of 30 - 50%. Artwork must be kept in protective folders or crush-proof boxes made from acid-free, archival quality materials.
Information provided by U.S. ART Magazine, January 1999
Q: How does a framer become certified?
A: To become a Certified Picture Framer (CPF), a framer must first study and perform framing for a year or more. Upon sitting for and passing the CPF exam, a framer is then considered knowledgeable enough and experienced enough to be certified as a professional framer.
While studying at the American Picture Framing Academy in Chicago, I learned color, design, composition, lighting, and decorating techniques from interior designers and framing professionals. I also learned the hands-on techniques required in framing: how to score glazing, cut matting, and chop moulding. As an Academy graduate, I use my qualifications and experience to provide all Black Iris customers the highest quality framing services available anywhere. Sitting for the CPF exam is my next goal.
Q: What did you do before you bought the Black Iris Gallery and Custom Framing?
A: I hold a bachelor's and a master's degree in English, and for thirteen years I worked as an English teacher. For five of those years I taught at Spooner High School (go Rails!). I also taught communication courses at WITC in Rice Lake, Wisconsin. Do I miss teaching? Of course, but I love framing, too!
Q: I'm an artist. Can I sell my work in your gallery?
A: At Black Iris Gallery and Custom Framing, one of our goals is to promote arts and culture in northwestern Wisconsin. Part of our Mission is to represent local and regional artists seeking to make their work available to the public, especially when they don't or can't operate a gallery of their own.
In particular, we specialize in selling visual, functional, and wearable art such as original paintings and limited edition prints; pottery, garden art, and sculpture; and jewelry, scarves, belts, and handbags, among other pieces. Unfortantely, we don't usually sell wildlife art except for original, one-of-a-kind pieces and a few, limited edition prints.
If you are an artist looking to sell your work in Spooner, please click Appointments to meet with JoAnn, the owner of Black Iris Gallery and Custom Framing. JoAnn reserves Wednesday afternoon for meeting with artists and vendors. She will consider your work and determine which pieces if any to display in the gallery.Click here to see our Consignment Terms. Thank you for your interest in the Black Iris Gallery!
Q: I want to paint/throw/carve/weave, NOT sell. Any advice?
A: Yes, sign a Consignment Contract with a gallery owner and let the gallery sell your work for you. Just remember that it's the gallery owner who is paying for staff, rental space, heating/cooling, signage, and advertising, and who is doing all the in-store selling, paperwork, wrapping/boxing, and collecting and paying sales tax. The 40% commission rate is truly money well spent.
You can also read my February 2007Gallery Gazette, 2 pages of advice for creative people trying to sell their work. Good luck, artists! You can do it.
Q: Why don't you generally sell wildlife art?
A: We do sell wildlife art on occasion, especially original and/or one-of-a-kind pieces. However, since many area outlets already sell wildlife prints, we feel this market is too tight to be profitable for us. We apologize for this inconvenience.
If you have original, one-of-a-kind wildlife work for sale, clickAppointments to schedule a Wednesday showing. Thank you!
Q:Glossary of art and framing terms
A: I find this link helpful when I need to be sure I'm using art and framing terms correctly:http://www.somersethouse.com/glossary.asp
