Ready for the holidays?

Well, it's pretty obvious how Titus feels about the holidays...

We love them too, and we are ready!

The Christmas rush has already started and we'd just like to shoot you a reminder that there are only three weeks after Thanksgiving before folks like little Titus are expecting to find something extra special under their tree. We will be taking special orders for holiday projects through about December 13th, and we will be available to help you with last minute in stock items till as close to the 24th as we are able to.

What are some of our clients' favorite gifts to create with us?

-Shadow boxes

-Framed (and preserved) vintage family photos

-Framed needle points

-Framed children's art

-Diplomas

-Mementos from a trip

-Special or family holiday cards

-Mirrors

and so much more!

Everything we create is made locally in our workshop on the premises.

There is convenient extra parking in the back lot for those of you who cannot find parking on the street.

And we do have some great last minute surprise gifts scattered all over the store, like jewelry and photo frames.

We will be open on Black Friday as well as the Saturday after that.

In fact, Atelier ONE Gallery sets up for our resident Winter artist, pet photographer Kay Taylor, on that weekend. Stop by and see what's new if you are in our neck of the woods! 

See you soon and have a warm and joyous season! 

Beate

KiraKira - WHITLEY Designs - Roma Moulding Photo Frames - Fred Levering Woodworks - Dave Krovetz Wood Turnings - Cartolina Cards - Red Cap  - Maxxi Frames - LaVille Reclaimed Wood Frames - Prisma Moulding - Titus The Teckel and more!

www.LaLineaBella.com

Happy Hump Day!

Did you know? 

In China, purple represents spiritual awareness, physical and mental healing, strength and 

abundance. A red purple  symbolizes luck and fame. 

The Chinese word for purple, zi, is connected with the North Star, Polaris, or zi Wei in 

Chinese.

In Japan, purple is the color of privilege and wealth, the color associated with the Japanese

 aristocracy. The word for purple is murasaki, which is also the name of the wisteria flower.

In Europe and America, purple is the color most associated with individualism.

Well, there you have it! At LLB we do love purple... among all the other wonderful colors 

out there. 

Ciao! 

Holiday Framing -- are you ready?

It's here, it's here: the season to decorate your world (and your dog...) with sparkles and glitter and ribbons and bows... and to go out and go shopping for gifts! 

I like to use the motto "one for you... one for me..." myself. I love it!

It's also time to think of special holiday framing. Every year I come up with a ridiculous list of great ideas, half of which I have to save for the next gift giving occasion because I always run out of time.

I guess what I am saying is: The sooner you bring your ideas in, the more time we can spend pondering great designs and frames for them... and the better the selection will be!

 And we all know: Santa does not like to be rushed when it comes to creating really beautiful things. 

If you have a wishlist of special order jewelry items from KiraKira or WHITLEY Designs, it is the perfect time to order those items as well and see them in person or show them off at all of your holiday gatherings! 

Gold Antler & Pearl necklace by KiraKira

So come in soon to see us, look around and let us know how we can help you: we're ready for ya!

Beate & Titus

PS: 

Put on your most festive antlers 
and join us 
every Saturday in December 
for 20% off all in store merchandise
 and treats to sweeten the deal!

Every gift from a friend is a wish for your 

happiness.

~ Richard Bach

Yes, gift-giving (and -receiving!) time is getting near! 



Time to think of those special friends -- and special

orders... like special framing projects, KiraKira and WHITLEY 

jewelry and accessories, photo frames, cards & more! Stop by 

soon or visit us at www.lalineabella.com to start making your 

wishlist and to see what is new. Also: if you need to spruce up 

your home before the fam arrives for Thanksgiving, this is the time!

We're open Tuesday through Friday, 10 - 5 and Saturday 10 - 4 with 

extended hours during the Christmas season.

See you soon!!

Beate & Titus

Art vs. Frame

The old question returns:

Art vs. Frame. 

Obviously they should harmonize. They should gel. Mesh. Love one another. Live as one. Enhance one another and the environment they cohabitate in. They should play with each other, get the viewer's attention.

Whew! That seems like a big task!

Part of that, my dear art-owner, has already been achieved before you even step over the threshold of your favorite framer's gallery.You have chosen a piece of art, adopted it to live in your home for you to look at and love every day from now on!  The other part, well, that's a piece of cake.

You walk in and you're presented with what seems to be an array of endless choices. But really, in the end there are only about three that really are in love (or lust) with your piece of art. (Of course, avoid the "lusty" one, which is flashy and tickles your fancy... but so short lived...). 

All three choices are wonderful candidates for marriage for your carefully chosen piece of art, and this is where you and your framer become a team: together we'll weed out the duds and determine which one of these handsome fellows is worthy of hanging out in your living room (or bathroom, bedroom, hallway, entry, etc.). Big shoes to fill, but we know what's right for us, right?

So see, framing is not that hard!

I posted a very random and half thought out question on Facebook the other day, and it got a really surprising amount of input: mostly from artists and framers. The white choice got votes for being a clean choice, bringing out the art and NOT making it about the framing. The silver, many felt, was more pleasing to the eye and played with the artwork.
(PS: results of this little game will be posted next week... hmmm, wonder which choice made it to the finals?)

It made me realize that that's what we are faced with every day: everyone has a different aesthetic and background. In the end, the only thing matters is that YOU, the owner of this lovely adopted piece of art, LOVES the end result. And helping you with that, that's what I love doing. That's what framing is all about.

Well, I love that.... and then I also love finding some of the wonderful artists who have sent me their creative and wonderful wares to show off at LLB. 

This week in the C-Ville Weekly, look for my ad for WHITLEY Designs. They are an awesome duo from San Fran with ties to Charlottesville and everyone has been "oooh-ing" and "aaah-ing" over and snatching up their new pieces at LLB. 

LOVE the Skye earrings, the chalcedony is an amazing shade of ocean-blue!

Alrighty y'all, enjoy your first days of Fall, which are always so gorgeous. Think of Fall jewels....... Suzanne will be sending more soon and I am in love with some of our new photographs we just got in. Well, you'll just have to stop by and see for yourself.

xoxo 

Beate & Titus

PS: Here's a cute project from last week "for dessert":

Welcome Marchesa!

The Marchesa, photographed by Man Ray, 1924

We welcome the Marchesa, our latest member, named after the famous Italian style icon Marchesa Luisa Casati. No, not kin to me per se, just a fabulous matching last name...  although I'd certainly love to emulate her! Wow, she had sass! (A lot of it...) And a love for strange animals....... hmmm, where have I heard that before?
(PS: that link's worth a read! She was a wild one!)

This is our Marchesa. Our Marchesa also has dreams.......

right now she is dreaming of those fantastic new Italian leather bags by KiraKira that she will soon be wearing.

Here is Suzanne's Espresso Devonshire tote in Espresso:

I will let you know when they arrive, just check for updates on Facebook!

Speaking of which: did you know that the new star of La Linea Bella ! TITUS has joined Facebook as well?

Yep, you can visit him on his own page where he will post super ADORABLE pictures of himself and share his opinion on some of what goes on in the frame shop... and his adventures in framing, customer service and design! He has already made some dog friends, including Ammo the Dachshund and they've been in touch with each other -- Titus is very impressed with Ammo, who lives at another frame shop in Pennsylvania and is FULL of stories.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Titus-the-Teckel-Casati/407361655983933

Come and visit Titus any time -- he spends the day sleeping off his play hangovers under my desk but welcomes hugs and treats any time -- and will gladly offer his advice on your design choices!

And don't forget to come and check out WHITLEY Design's new jewelry that arrived last week!

See y'all soon!

Beate & Titus

Fall Newsletter

Please e-mail me your address if you'd like to receive our newsletter. 

It is mailed about twice a year. And as always, please join us on Facebook! Ciao!