50% off ALL ART! ONLY TODAY!!

 

Through artaissance you can custom size your artwork!
We know it can be frustrating when you fall in love with a piece of art and it just doesn't fit the space you have in mind. At Artaissance, they can make the art you want in the size you want, while staying true to the original proportions of the artwork. Provide either the width or the height (in inches), and  their system will calculate the opposite dimension. Now your art can not only fit your style, but your space as well.

 This offer is only good online. Visit framedbykosal.ArtThatFits.com to view all the exclusive art on sale for today only. To save on shipping, select FREE SHIPPING option and have your art order shipped to our shop in Monroe, CT.

 

 *Discount applies to art only; does not include a discount on shipping, taxes and duties.This offer cannot be combined with any other offers or promotions or be applied to previous purchases. Expires 11/23/2012 at 11:59 PM in your local time zone.

Honoring Monroe's K-9 Justice

We just finished a shadowbox to honor K-9 Justice of the Monroe Police Department.  This memorial is being presented to his handler; Officer Bradshaw. Justice was Bradshaw's first K-9.  They patrolled Monroe together for seven years before Justice retired. Justice passed away May 24, 2012; he was 14. 
We were given Justice's leach, toy, patches and a few photo files.  The layout and sizes were all left to us. We edited the photos to give Justice a dramatic look. The photos were printed to custom sizes by our printer. (Yes, we do custom printing too.)  To have Justice stand out we went with a more traditional shadowbox. Photos and items were matted using Artique 'Indigo' to match the Monroe Police Department colors. Justice's toy was sunken into the mat as the Connecticut patch was raised above the toy's rope.  We made a plate to show Justice's years of service (Yup, we do custom engraved plates also!).  All finished off with Larson-Juhl 'Reflection' in cherry frame. We were honored to be able to memorialize Justice and his service.

The following is an excerpt about Justice from a story written for Patch by Carol Banner which ran on Aug. 1,2011:

On June 26, 2006, a vehicle was pulled over in Monroe for an obstructed windshield. The driver had a suspended license. Officer Dennis Bradshaw and his partner K-9 Justice were summoned. Within minutes Justice indicated drugs were inside the car.

The trunk was opened revealing a backpack filled with seven plastic bags containing more than a pound of marijuana. There were also items to cultivate marijuana, rolling papers, pipes and a scale, plus $2,283 in the glove compartment. 

That was only one of K-9 Justice’s feats. He served Monroe from 2003-2010. During those years he racked up over 280 narcotic arrests, 41 successful tracks and 18 apprehensions.

Projects Past and Present

Here are a few of our memorable and creative projects that we have never posted to our blog.  All are items that were near and dear to our customers.  Coincidently none are photographs; but who says frames are just for photographs. When it comes to framing open your mind to the possibilities and create anything into ART!

Vintage Record Album: Abbey Road is The Beatles last recorded album. The image of the Beatles on the crossing has become one of the most famous and imitated in recording history.(1)   Since this album is so famous, it demanded a creative twist.  The cover and record are floating on a cream mat to match the white of the crosswalk.  The bottom of the mat was painted to mimic and continue the zebra walkway. 

Abbey Road

Retirement Gift: This gold badge was given upon retirement; commemorating 50 years of hard work.  An honor such as this deserves to be showcased.  The badge which included a diamond is raised to float over a black suede mat.  To enhance the dimension of the badge the black suede mat was also used as the top layer. The top mat has an opening cut and was raised to the level of the badge.

50th Anniversary Badge

Concert Memorabilia: You Get What You Give by the Zac Brown Band. The cover is signed by the band.  Unfolding the case and sliding the disc out transforms a simple cd case into art. The album and top mat are raised to add dimension. 

Zac Brown Band-Signed 'You Get What You Give' album

 House Warming Gift: A Wishnest is a beautiful house blessing meant to bring love, nurturing and prosperity to your home. The nest is cast from pewter.  The nest is attached to the blue textured background without adhesive. The liner is wrapped in a cream silk.  The nest is accessible to remove the eggs.  Each egg represents one of the customer's four children. 

Wish Nest

Mother's Day

Mother’s Day is sneaking up on us, and as we all know moms love something from the heart.  Here is a great idea you still have some time for are:

Framed Silhouette of Child- These go as far back as the Victorian era but are growing more popular today.  They are a different look at your child in an elegant, sophisticated way.  Even better they are easy to create. Bring your silhouette(s) to our store and we will help you choose the right background mat to showcase your silhouette uniquely.  Want to finish off your silhouette with a frame. We can also assist you in finding the perfect frame as if it was the victorian era or give your silhouette a modern spin.

Steps to create your own silhouette:

With the light behind your child – have them stand at a 45 degree angle to you. Have someone stand in front of them looking at the child – so that you can take a photo of the child from their side profile. Take several photos – the nose, lips, hair and chin are important – you can also include the top of the shoulders. 
Print your photos onto paper and adjust the contrast – you want a good outline. 
Trace the profile onto black cardstock or for a different effect use wallpaper. Cut out the traced silhouette – it’s easier to move the paper, not the scissors, as you cut. 
Position the cut out onto matboard. 
Apply glue to the back of the silhouette, cover the entire back surface to the edge.  
To add a more personal touch, add one or all of the options shown our example below.

Add a trace of the child's handprint.  Mom's LOVE handprints!

Add the child's name and year.