Today we’d like to introduce you to Kari Schmidt, Cornerstone Framing & Design.
Kari, Cornerstone Framing & Design, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
I started my custom picture framing career at the age of 18, working for different art galleries in the Chicago area. and now 31 years later I have my own business. A Mobile Custom Picture Framing Showroom. I have no employees. I am the designer, framer and deliver person, all in one. I absolutely love what I do. Why a mobile showroom? Well, I do a lot of jobs for a design firm in downtown Conroe, Hillsons Design Services. They were always asking for samples to show their clients. I realized three years ago that the easiest thing was to become mobile. It allowed me to go directly to the client’s homes. I started with a 6×12 enclosed trailer, and in 2017 I purchased a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Van with air conditioning in the showroom area. Being mobile has many advantages. I don’t have rent, utilities, etc., which allows me to pass my savings onto my clients. I have a 30×50 climate-controlled work shop at my house that I work from. This mobile showroom allows my clients to see what the framing samples, etc. look like in their homes or office. Avoiding the disappointment of it not matching. This service allows my clients to not leave their home. Turnaround time on most projects are a week to two weeks. If someone needs something sooner I do my best to make it happen. I feel my framing is unique to any other custom picture framers in the industry. I am a preservation/conservation framer. I like to enhance the artwork, rather than be decorative. The Art doesn’t have to match the sofa! I frame for several artists in the Montgomery/Harris County area. I have framed many award-winning pieces, as well. I take great pride in my craftsmanship. My clients tell me that my services are MOST AFFORDABLE! I do not charge for consultations. I am so grateful and so blessed to be able to do what I do best. Custom Picture Framing at its FINEST…
Cornerstone Framing & Design, Conroe, Texas
Can you give our readers some background on your art?
Custom Picture Framing is an Art/Craft in itself. I am proud to say that I have been doing it for 31 years. Framing isn’t something you learn in a week or even a year. There are so many different aspects to the art/craft. First, you must know your math. If not, this isn’t an art/craft for you. Knowing about color and design is very important. Having the gift of being able to see what something will look like in its end result is very helpful. I am the designer, framer, builder and finisher of a custom picture frame project. Conserving a work of art is so important. You want the piece to last for a lifetime or more. Every piece of art I handle I think about conserving it. Whether it be a child’s drawing or an expensive original piece of art.
Conservation/Preservation means protecting that piece of art. The proper handling. The use of archival materials for the entire custom frame job. Any work of art that has any value to it needs to be conserved and preserved. Basically, using museum quality materials. Protect your investment. When I frame artwork, I think about its integrity and longevity. I truly care about the pieces I frame. I like to educate my clients on conserving/preserving. I find that it is very important to them. When you buy a piece of art from a gallery or art festival the gallery owner/artist usually doesn’t tell you how to care for the artwork. If you purchase a piece of art I recommend that you take it to a local reputable frame shop and have them inspect it.
Artists usually don’t use archival materials when framing. Cornerstone Framing & Design on the other hand uses nothing but archival materials. Why takes the chance? You know…I never aspired to be a custom picture framer. It just happened. I was 18, just graduated from high school with a three-month-old baby boy, and I had to go to work. I was the one that said math wasn’t important. I found out differently. I am grateful for all those art classes that taught me color and design. Most of all I am very grateful for all the teachers I had along the way to help me and teach me the fine craft that I love so much today…Custom Picture Framing at its FINEST…
Artists rarely, if ever pursue art for the money. Nonetheless, we all have bills and responsibilities and many aspiring artists are discouraged from pursuing art due to financial reasons. Any advice or thoughts you’d like to share with prospective artists?
If you have a dream, never give up. I always dreamed of having my own gallery/frame shop. It happened in 2005 back when I lived in Illinois. I sold it all to start all over again in Texas. It was hard, but 10 years later I am stronger and better than I could have ever imagined. You just have to work hard and have people that support you emotionally. Honestly, my faith in GOD is what has seen me through all these years.
I took a big chance going mobile. I depend on word of mouth business or someone that happens upon my website. I decided not to be brick and mortar so that I can pass the savings of what I don’t spend, by passing that savings off to my clients. I am very blessed to have an amazing climate-controlled work shop on my premises. That really helps financially. It allows me to order my frame molding by the foot, rather than by having someone else chop and join it. That is a huge savings for me and my clients. I have worked hard saving money to buy the equipment I need to do the job.
I frame for many artists who don’t have deep pockets. I work with them and come up with a plan that will help them showcase their artwork by not compromising their vision. Too me…it’s not about making money. It’s about helping people. Because of that mind set I have been framing in Texas for 10 years now and my business is growing with leaps and bounds.
What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
My work is everywhere! People often tell me they can tell what artwork I frame, just by the style and design I use. My business is mobile, so you can see me buzzing around town in a big Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van. You will see me in neighborhoods all over Montgomery and Harris county. I am part of a co-op art gallery downtown Conroe, inside Conroe Central Market Antique Mall. I am one of 13 artists. I frame most of the work for those artists. I have a Facebook page: Cornerstone Framing & Design. My website: www.cornerstoneframing.com or you can visit the website of Suzanne Seiler, a local artist I have been working for over four years now.
www.mosaicsandwatercolors.com You will see many of my framed creations on her web page. Next time you need something framed think about supporting a local artist, instead of a big box store. You will find that my expertise and pricing far surpass any other local framer.
Contact Info:
- Address: Conroe, Texas
- Website: www.cornerstoneframing.com
- Phone: 936-718-7009
- Email: kari@cornerstoneframing.com
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/cornerstoneframing
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