Framing in the New Normal

Finishing Touches is pleased to say that we have been open for two weeks now during Phase 1 of ReOpeningRI and everything has been going very well. 

We have followed the State of Rhode Island Guidelines for REopeningRI:

• Because we are only allowed 2 customers in the store at any given time, we are open by appointment for framing and pick-up. This scheduling allows for browsers as long as there are fewer than 2 customers in the store at a time.

• We observe physical distancing of 6’ between ourselves and others and the distances are clearly marked.

• We require that everyone wear a mask inside the store.  If you don’t have your own mask, one will be provided for you.

• We have a Plexiglas divider at the credit card station.

• We clean all high touch surfaces between customers.

• We ask that if you would like to handle frame or mat samples that you wear gloves that are provided by us.

• We provide hand sanitizer and disinfectant at the front counter. 

• We wrap all finished framing in plastic to allow for quicker pickup times.

• We encourage the payment of any balance remaining on the invoice before you arrive for pickup, and are happy to provide curbside pickup if you prefer. 

We realize that everyone has a different comfort level, and if you don’t feel comfortable with in-store frame design services, we will be happy to work with you via FaceTime or Zoom.

Thank you to everyone, both our current customers and those we haven’t met yet, for thinking of Finishing Touches for all of your framing needs. Your confidence in us means the world to us.

Hand Crafted Pottery

We have carried pottery created by the very talented, Mary Walsh, for a couple of years now and her work is consistently popular. Several of our customers have become collectors and keep a close eye on our store windows for new pieces. For the first time ever we are offering items for sale here on the blog.

Here are a few from the collection that we think you’ll love!

The mugs are perfect for coffee. If you’re like me, a big cup of coffee is a must first thing in the morning. I fill my mug with hot water while the coffee is brewing so that the mug is pre-warmed and that first cup of coffee stays nice and hot. And the pottery always makes me smile.

All of these items are currently available for curb side pickup or we can ship them to you. Just give us a call or send an email and we’ll take it from there.

The mug on the left is $24. It is 6” high, and holds 20 ounces of your favorite beverage.

The mug on the right is $25. It is 5.5” high an holds 16 ounces..

These mugs are each approximately 5.5” high and hold 18 ounces. They are $24 each.

The lovely pitcher would be perfect for summer Iced Tea or Sangria, don’t you think? It is 8” high and 5” across the top. It holds 56 ounces (that’s 7 full cups!). It is $58.

The mug is $26. It is 5.75” high and holds 18 ounces.

Have a bit of summer all year long with this beautiful floral vase. Fill it with flowers in spring and summer, or greenery in the fall and winter. It’s 7.5” high and is $24.

The pitcher is the perfect size for mixing and pouring pancake batter for those leisurely weekend breakfasts. It’s 5” high and 5” across the top. It holds 32 full ounces and is $60.

We love these little vases, and I’ll bet you have the perfect little spot that needs some brightening! They are the perfect size to hold small flowers that often get lost in larger arrangements .

The beige one on the left is just 4.5” high and is $18. I love the size and shape of this one and can imagine it being used as tea cup rather than a vase.

The vase in the middle is 7” high and is $28.

The vase on the right is 5” high and is $16.

Working From Home?

Just a few short weeks ago you never imagined that you would be working from home. But there you are, sitting at a desk in the spare bedroom. I’m imagining that you are trying to find ways to make your home office more comfortable and inviting. If that room hasn’t been used in a while and you are looking at bare walls, I don’t have to tell you that a blank wall can actually be distracting and definitely not good for one’s mood and well being.

Look around your home. Do you have art, framed photos, or memorabilia that you can borrow for your office? One large picture is nice, but how about gathering several smaller works of art and creating a wall of things that inspire you? Or remind you of great times that you are looking forward to experiencing again? Once you have the pieces gathered together, a good rule of thumb is to treat the grouping as one big design and find the visual center of the grouping. Then hang art with the center of the grouping about 60” from the floor.

We all work more efficiently when we are surrounded by things that we love.

Need suggestions? Send us a photo and we can meet with you virtually to discuss ideas.

If you finding that you are ready to ditch the commute when things get back to “normal” you may be dreaming of converting your basement to create the perfect workspace. Our friends at Spagnolo Homes are expert remodelers and have shared some really great ideas in their most recent blog post: 10 Things to Consider When Transforming Your Basement into an Office.

Intuitive Painting with Mary Walsh. Thursday, March 26,2020 - 6:30-8:30

I have always admired people who paint. There is something special about having the ability to be creative with color, water, paper, and brush. Having the ability to “get lost” in the moment and enjoy the creative process may be something that you admire as well, but that ability has been elusive. We are pleased to welcome Mary Walsh to the store on Thursday evening, March 26, 2020, from 6:30-8:30 for a class on Intuitive Painting Through Watercolor.

Let Artist Mary Walsh introduce you to the world of Intuitive Painting. Through this practice, you can give yourself permission to have fun while learning to let go and allow for “happy accidents”. Concepts that will be reviewed are negative vs. positive painting as well as translucent vs. opaque paint mediums.  

This project is a great introduction for people who have never painted before as well as seasoned artists who might want to incorporate these principles into their current art routine.

The class is $35.00 and all art materials will be provided. 

Feel free to bring “liquid Inspiration” and snacks to share. We will have plenty of wine glasses available.  

Dreaming of Summer Paint Night! Thursday, February 27th - 6:30-8:30

Julie Brayton is back to lead us in another wonderful Paint Night.  This time we will be painting the iconic Towers in Narragansett.  Join us for an evening of laughter and relaxation as you paint your very own version of this iconic landmark.

The cost is $35 and includes all materials.  You are welcome to bring wine and snacks to share.

Paint Party with Julie Brayton

January 30 from 6:30 to 8:30 PM

There is a time between celebrating the New Year and welcoming the first signs of Spring that seems to last forever.  And I am always amazed at the number of New Englanders who simply do not like winter.  Have you already had enough of winter?  We have just the solution for you!

Come to our Paint Party led by artist Julie Brayton and bring summer back if only for a night with this warmth filled tropical sunset painting!  Sip your favorite beverage while laughing with friends as you have your hand at pushing a little paint around!  

You are welcome to bring snacks and wine to share.

The cost is only $35 and that includes all materials for the painting.  We’ll also have a nice selection of frames that are perfect for this painting all ready to go at fantastic prices.   These frames will be available only to class members.

Space is limited, so be sure to pre-register here and let us know that you will be coming. We are looking forward to seeing you!

"Courage is fear holding on a minute longer."

Each Veteran’s Day, we take time to honor those who have served our country. I was looking for a quote to use as a title for this post and came across this one by General George S. Patton. I paused and read it several times because the words resonated with me. Courage is something that is so revered but, really, where does courage come from? I think that these words speak volumes, and I wonder about what our veterans were feeling in those moments that were pivotal in their lives.

We have framed many military items over the years and as we work, we can’t help but think about the person who earned those honors. With each one, we feel the responsibility to bring the components together in a way that honors the veteran and helps to preserve their legacy.

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When we planned this frame we arranged the components on a forest green mat with a “V” groove cut into the mat. The “V” groove visually encloses the items while providing “breathing” space around them. The frame is deep enough to accommodate the medals, yet relatively narrow on the face. It’s color and medium grain give it a timeless look that will work in any setting . Conservation Clear glass provides 99% UV protection.

This is part of a collection of military memorabilia including medals, certificates, and photos that had been carefully saved by our customer’s father since his service in WWII. We designed the framing to incorporate all of the awards and a favorite photo of the veteran from that era. It was important to our customer to include the maps showing the battles where his father earned his Purple Heart and Bronze Star but the maps were too big to work comfortably with the other components. Our solution was to scan them and print smaller versions that could then be incorporated into the design.

Evan surrounded each honor with a double mat of deep blue and a bronze-gold inner mat. The frame is a very dark “aged” brown with a single gold line. Conservation Clear glass ensures 99% UV protection.

Your Best Camera: It's Always With You.

That’s right. If you carry your smartphone with you, (and who doesn’t?) your best camera is always there, at the ready. But often we take too long lining up a shot or doubting our ability, and the magical moment is lost before we have a chance to capture it. Maybe what is needed is just a little time with the camera to get acquainted with some of the most important features.

We are pleased to welcome Amy Short, of Amy Kristen Photography, back to Finishing Touches to walk us through the most important steps in taking a great photo. Amy will also introduce us to some cool features built into the camera that are pretty amazing.

Amy will review lighting, composition, focus, editing options, and more in this fun class. All you need to bring with you is a smartphone.

The class begins at 6:30 pm on October 3, 2019, and ends at 8:00 pm.

The class is free, but space is limited, so be sure to pre-register here and let us know that you will be attending.

Paint and Sip Night with Pam Santos

August 22nd from 6:30 to 8:30 PM

We are excited to be hosting artist Pam Santos for an evening exploring the gentle art of watercolor painting. Painters of all abilities are welcome.

Together we will review the basic techniques of watercolor painting, and then work from images of our own community. 

Do you love Paint Nights but wish that you had more choice in subject?  Pam has created a class where each participant can choose from one of several images that celebrate the natural beauty of South County.

The cost is $30 for the evening and that includes all materials.

You are welcome to bring snacks and wine to share.

Scroll through the following images, get inspired, and then register here. We are looking forward to a night of fun and creativity.