After checking out several other local framers in the area I'm glad that I finally ducked into…read moreGaston's. As an artist I can tell that this shop is run by fellow artists, the framing examples on their walls are gorgeous and they have a visible workshop in the back. I highly recommend this place to anyone looking for beautiful and unique work. They have an impressive stock and were the most down to earth, hands-on framing shop I've visited near Worcester. The woman working there helped me find an elusive mat board I was looking for, completely saving my upcoming art show! Where other shops offered to order it and overcharge me for an entire sheet, she had just enough in stock to sell me the exact amount I needed.

Two years ago I had three giclee prints made at Gaston Art & Frame. I was not able to sell them at…read morethe time and they were in storage for some time. When I resurrected them to present them to a shop, they were refused because of chips in the print. Nothing had happened to cause those chips; it seemed the inks had simply peeled off. I was devastated. With much trepidation I returned to Gaston Art & Frame with the prints. This was my only and last resort. I showed the Mr. Gaston the giclees and explained the circumstances. Much to my relief and gratification he agreed that there had been problem with the print process or the canvas two years ago and said the words I thought I would never hear: that he would do them over. Two years later! Gaston Art & Frame stands by their work! I picked up the prints a week later. They are perfect. Thank you!

I had en excellent experience with Nal's Paint Center. I had a contractor that is no longer in…read morebusiness paint my living room a few years back and now needed to do some touch ups. I did not have the Benjamin Moore color for this room, but was fairly sure it came from Nal's. I went to the store and explained the situation to them. At first they could not find the information needed to determine which paint color was used. They advised that if I could bring bring a small piece of the paint they would be able to match. I did so, and by the time I went back that afternoon they told me they kept looking for my information and found the exact date and colors of the original work that was done. We matched my paint chips to the color they had on record and now my living room touch up's blend in perfectly with the original paint. I thought this was great Customer Service, and really demonstrated a willingness to make the extra effort to help solve the problem. Going forward I will use Nal's for all my painting needs.

Not JUST A PAINT STORE...Ralph is a highly crafted wallpaperer and he just completed my kitchen…read morehang.. his attention to detail in perfection is unsurpassed by any.. attached are a few photographs of his work..

Avoid this place and the woman who owns it. I purchased an…read moreoverlocker from Denise and custom window treatments - that don't fit correctly. When purchasing the ($1800) overlocker she tried to sell me a floor model for the price of a new one saying it was to MY advantage because I could "take it home now, rather than wait" 3 days for the shipment of new ones. Good deal, huh? Now that there is a competing authorized dealer, I'll be going there. Her business ethics are questionable. She is not an authorized Husqvarna Viking dealer but "can get you" products as her father, in CT, is. She is undercutting the legitimate dealer's territory. Her store products are overpriced and she offers no discounts (ASG, night of class, etc) but complains if you buy class supplies elsewhere. She doesn't tell you that free classes come with the purchase of a machine, or about discounted extended warranties. The store also sells window blinds. Denise measured and installed our window treatments and when my husband complained they didn't fit right she told us that's what we wanted. Huh? Sure, ill-fitting, over-priced blinds are what every homeowner dreams of. I recommend avoiding this store for sewing machines or blinds.

Close To Home is the epitome of good customer service, and is a refreshing change from most stores…read morewho don't care about their customers. Recently, I purchased some products as a gift for someone who loves sewing. I myself am not much of a sewer so I went in almost blindfolded as I didn't know the difference between a sewing machine and a spool of thread. The owner Denise could not have been more helpful in explaining the different products to me and differences of each of the products. I did not for one second feel like I was being steered in the wrong direction. Perhaps the first reviewer just had a bad day, because my experience at Close To Home was great.

I was mulling over a half-baked idea to get a custom stamp designed with a personal artists "logo"…read moreto use to sign my work; kind of like a Chinese chop but I wanted something more complex. I had no idea what this sort of work would run me, though, so I started scoping out options on the internet. Within 5 minutes, I found the Simon's Stamps webpage. The design of the site definitely isn't the best, but the prices sure are. $12 for a 1x1 wood-handled stamp, including shipping? I figured that $12 was worth the risk to give it a shot. Bam. Within about 15 minutes of this idea occurring to me in the first place, I had a custom stamp ordered and in progress. I was further surprised when the stamp was completed and shipped to me no more than a week later, on the other side of the country no less. I eagerly whipped it out and started playing with it right away. The quality is phenomenal. They retained a lot of fine details I was sure would be muddled by the casting process. The construction of the stamp is excellent as well, with a nicely polished handle and beveled base for resting it on the table. I am now definitely going to look for more excuses to get custom stamps made by these guys. ;)

Sharp image on stamp and shipped promptly - absolutely wonderful! I got a custom stamp and large…read moreink pad for just about $40, which I consider a fabulous value.

Mark and his team do an excellent job, personal service always makes sure you love the final…read moreproduct. Prices are reasonable. Designers work with you through the whole process. Start to finish always a pleasure.

I enjoyed the Vincent van Gogh Immersive Experience at the Mercantile Center, which preceded this…read moreexhibition, and decided to attend Monet: The Immersive Experience on a late Thursday afternoon. I assumed it would be fairly quiet at that time. When we arrived, we were greeted in the lobby area, which also doubled as a makeshift merchandise shop. We were the only people there, and after our tickets were scanned, it appeared we might be the only visitors in the entire exhibition. The experience begins with wall plaques outlining Monet's life, travels, and influences. It then winds its way through recreations of his studio and garden. The studio was somewhat underwhelming and arguably cheaply done. The garden, featuring two bridges over a projected pond, was more interesting, though the placement of the lights partially blinded the eye. The sound system had noticeable issues during our visit, starting and stopping, fading in and out, and generally detracting from the experience. It was quite poor and somewhat annoying. The highlight of the exhibition is the 360-degree Projection Room. This wall-to-wall (and floor) digital display creates an animated, immersive environment. Comfortable chairs and mellow background music make this a pleasant way to spend half an hour or more just relaxing. There were about six people in this very large room the entire time we were there. Unfortunately, the audio issues continued, and one of the digital projectors malfunctioned, projecting a message onto the middle of the floor that read: "The storage device is missing or damaged. Reinsert or use a new one." Overall, it's a fine way to spend an hour or so. Adult tickets run about $34, and the optional Virtual Reality experience costs an additional $5 on site, or about $10 extra if purchased as part of a VIP ticket online. I've heard that the quality of Monet: The Immersive Experience can vary by venue, since it's a traveling exhibition. Your experience may differ in larger cities that host the event, such as Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Miami, New York, Toronto, London, or Milan. Considering the Worcester presentation specifically, it was not bad, but not great. Three stars.

I'm not really an artsy person. I hated art class in school, both from a combination of lack of…read moretalent and bad teachers. Heck, I still draw stick figures for people. But, I have to say, this was a thoroughly enjoyable experience. While the experience is short, and probably should be about $10-$15 cheaper, I was very impressed with the experience, and it was a fun time. I did spring for the VR experience at the end, and it was a little underwhelming. I won't go as far as to say it was bad, but this was my first ever experience with VR, and it made me wonder what the hype was all about. It's basically akin to watching a cartoon, but you can turn your head to the sides and up and down and see more than you normally would. If you're an art lover, this is something you should do while they are still in the area. And even if you're indifferent like me, you should still have a good time.

Amazing gem right on RTE 2! The bowls are beautiful, and the people are really sweet. My partner…read moreand I spent an hour or so looking at the showroom, and lusting after the gorgeous woodwork, and talking to the artists sister in law. (Who was knowledgeable, gracious, and very nice and friendly.) In the end we didn't buy anything on this trip... But there were some real values in the seconds and clearance areas. (All of the bowls out front are also seconds. But as we were told, some of the seconds you would be hard pressed to tell.) The artist turns the bowl from prefallen wood that he reclaims in the area. There is ONE painted type of bowl, otherwise they are incredibly natural. He also makes cutting boards, chopsticks, sushi boats, and many other things. Pop by some afternoon! You might just leave with a treasure.

Charming store filled with a huge selection of beautiful wooden bowls! So many gorgeous pieces to…read moreadmire and choose from. It's unbelievable!! Definitely worth the stop!!

Pass, this is an old tired look and for my money isn't worth going into or looking around. If you…read moreare going for the 70-year olds bed and breakfast look this is a good place for you but if you are clinging on to any semblance of life left you will avoid this place. Parking doesn't really make sense and people will, without really understanding how to park a car block you in, which will add insult to injury.

I purchased an unfinished furniture item in December. The staff was very helpful, professional and…read morecourteous in assisting me in making finishing decisions. I requested that The Settle Shop finish the piece for me. I was told it was highly unlikely I would have the finished piece in time for Christmas. On December 23, I received a call notifying me the piece was finished. The staff worked overtime to try to accomodate customer requests. This was above and beyond any promise made. The finishing job was outstanding. I highly recommend this business not only for the customer service, but also for the quality of product the offer.