Artisan Custom Framing
Transforming your special piece into a true masterpiece with just the right frame.
Sara Payne, Owner of Artisan Custom Framing, stands in her shop.
It’s always fun to take something that has great meaning to you or someone you love and have it framed in a way that not only preserves it forever but allows you to keep it on display for your constant enjoyment. However, choosing the perfect frame, matting, fillet, and glass style yourself can be daunting without the help of an expert. That’s where Sara Payne, owner of Artisan Custom Framing, comes in. In addition to having been in the business for the past decade, Sara has an art degree from the Cornish College of Arts in Seattle so her eye for design is spot on! As one happy client shared:
"I brought in several different original and non-original posters of the greatest Rock & Roll band in the world, The Rolling Stones! I had each piece framed and, in some cases, matted as well. These guys are fantastic! They made each piece come alive with contrasts and frames that resulted in an eye-popping experience! They know how to frame and bring out the best in your most loved artwork! 5 stars!! I'll be back!!!”— Bill S.
Sara has been passionate about art since the age of about six. “I went to Cornish and majored in Painting and Print Making while there,” she explains. “While in school, I offered to work for free for the previous owner of this store if she would teach me the trade because I needed to learn how to frame and hang my own art pieces for my final show,” she continues. “She agreed, but paid me anyway, and I absolutely fell in love with the framing process!”
When the shop’s owner, Ellen, decided to sell in 2016, Sara bought the business with the help of her husband and mother, but today owns it free and clear and couldn’t be happier!
Her favorite part of the business is getting to know her customers and the stories behind their artwork. As she says, “No one walks into a custom frame shop with something that doesn’t mean anything to them, so it’s really fun to get to know someone on a super personal level and find a frame and matting that not only suits the art, but also the story and person I am learning about.” For example, she recently had a man come in with a bridal magazine that had photos of his own wedding. He wanted to surprise his wife for their anniversary by framing it as well as his vows, which he had written out. “He brought his wife in when he picked it up, so I got to see her reaction,” says Sara. “She cried, and it was all so sweet!”
No matter the piece, Sara can find a way to frame it. “We have not yet encountered anything we can’t frame, and even framed a bridal Kimono for someone, which was super cool,” she recalls. “We work with you to create a beautiful and unique design to fit both your personal style and the artwork. We do all framing in-house to ensure the best quality, meaning the person you design with is the person building your frame.”
While custom framing is the core of the business, Artisan also offers unique handcrafted art of all mediums from local artists in its retail gallery space. “We have been in the Mill Creek Town Center for over 15 years and in the city of Mill Creek for over 30,” Sara says proudly. “We use all archival glass, all UV protected, in three different ranges including clear glass, non-glare glass, and an almost invisible glass. All our materials are acid-free as well to preserve your special piece for years to come.” Their full list of services include:
- Custom Picture Framing: Artisan Custom Framing’s design team can help you pick the colors and design to make your piece look its best and offers a wide selection of frames for any kind of project whether it be an original, poster, or special family heirloom.
- Frames: Whether replacing an existing frame or adding a new one to a recently acquired piece of art, Artisan has hundreds of frames to choose from sourced from brand names like Larson Juhl, Framers Inventory, and Roma Mouldings, to name a few.
- Canvases: We can stretch any size canvas on stretcher bars and frame it if desired.
- Shadowboxes: Art is not just two-dimensional. When you have a collectible to frame, we will help you create a unique and lasting design. Whether it is a signed album cover, your daughter’s first ballet shoes, a signed sports jersey, or a guitar from your favorite band, we will create just the right frame to best show it off.
- Mat Cutting: We use a state-of-the-art Wizard Mat Cutter and can cut any standard mat as well as unique designs to make your art extra special!
- Mirrors: We offer a full line of framed mirrors and custom design them to fit any space.
- Glass Replacements: We cut the glass in-house and replace your broken glass with a new piece.
- Repair work/Restoration: If you have art or a picture in need of restoration, repair, or cleaning, we work with Array Art Conservation for our restoration projects. They do amazing work and are local and independently owned.
No matter how special or valuable your piece, rest assured the experts at Artisan Custom Framing will bring it to life in a way you could never have imagined!