Frame-making is one of those crafts that seems simple on its face, but when you watch it done, or, God forbid, try to do it yourself, you realize that the combination of creativity and technical competence it requires rarely occurs together, in a single person, which is why there are so many frame shops in the world, yet so many of them are so crappy. The Frame Maker is not crappy. The folks at The Frame Maker do, in fact, combine the talents needed to produce unique creations that not only set off the art or imagery they contain, but do so in an eye-catching and high-quality manner, such that the thing framed appears to be better than whatever it was at first. Plus, there's street parking and a loading zone, which is just good business. You might balk at the price you're quoted to frame little Janie or Jimmy, but if you do spend the money, you'll get to amortize the cost over the number of days you walk by their picture, and think to yourself, "Damn... that frame looks fantastic!" read more

Greg was very helpful in using his expertise helping to choose frames for my art. The selection seemed endless. Beautiful store. The quality was top notch. The estimate was out of my budget for the pieces I had but I'd definitely go back for a piece I deemed worthy of the quality. read more

Thank you so much Samantha and Greg for helping me preserve and display my new acquisition! I am new to the art world, but tend to have the collector habit with other items. Purchased my first serious piece recently and wanted to find her a home. Had an appointment with Greg and he wasn't alienating or condescending in the least. I felt very welcomed and he was very flexible and upfront. I very much felt welcomed and taken care of. It was pricy to be sure but I would say that both the quality of the frame and the experience of working with Greg well justify the expense for me. I am beyond pleased and so happy with the art itself and the decision to spend on the money to have it framed professionally. I hope for my wallet's sake this won't be an all the time thing... but, if I am still in the San Diego area and happen to acquire another piece I will be definitely coming here. Thank you Frame Maker team for contributing to my story and for giving me a good impression of the greater art world. read more

The Frame Maker - Framed Art - Framing Near Me - San Diego, California

We had a large number of pieces framed for a new home. They ranged from small watercolors to large oils. We wanted to have them framed at the same time so we could ensure the eclectic collection would have cohesion, but not feel contrived. The Frame Maker team did just that. They were awesome consultants, discussing the subject matter, the right Fran to highlight the art, to mat or not to mat. We are so happy with the outcome and highly recommend this talented team. read more

Not only does this company have a stellar reputation for producing professional topnotch work, but even during my short encounter with them, I was enlightened with there extremely helpful staff. I called them today needing a custom wooden frame to stretch a large amount of (already painted on) canvas over. This being the first time I've painted on canvas, I had multiple questions. He asked me to hold on while he directed me to his employee who had more experience in my specific situation. Tom got on the phone. This man made my day! He proved that he was very knowledgeable by answering all of my questions thoroughly and enlightening me even further with things that he thought that might help me down the road. I did not end up using this company, because I'm not at a level in my art that I need such professional services. Yes, with professionalism there comes a price...but it is well worth it if you are at that level! Even after me telling Tom this, he continued on and told me where to go and described how I should go about stretching the canvas over a frame myself! AND!! This whole conversation was had while they were closed! Not many companies want to continue having a conversation and answering questions if you've already informed them that you aren't giving them your money. If only our community had more companies like this that want to help people rather than just take their money!!! Thank you so much Tom!! read more

Our paintings are all framed, hung, and looking AMAZING! #theframemaker did such an amazing job! From helping my husband and I AGREE on the frames, to design, to budget, and everything in between, they made it such an easy and enjoyable experience! The frames were ready faster than I thought they would be, and are s thousand times more beautiful than I first imagined. Can't thank you and your team enough! read more

The Frame Maker - Framing Near Me - San Diego, California

I've had two encounters with this business. The first was great; the second was not. 1st visit: I brought an odd-sized photograph that I wanted to frame. The owner worked with me and actually gave me a very reasonable price for the type of frame I got. The frame has looked great and I've been really pleased with it (purchased over 1 year ago). 2nd visit: Since my first experience was good I decided to go back an seek advisement on a piece that needed more work. I had a 28 year-old cross-stitch piece that my grandmother had made me. The pre-fabricated frame it was in had become chipped and scratched. I told him I was looking for a way to update the piece. I used the word "modern" loosely because, how modern can a gaggle of cross-stitched geese with the word "WELCOME" across their chests really get? Well...I was probably in the store for about 25 minutes chatting with the owner and we didn't make any progress. He seemed a bit bothered with the piece and told me there'd be no way to replicate the frame (all one piece with a rounded top). I told him I wanted to update the look and the finished product didn't have to look anything like it currently did. I was open to an entirely new look. He told me it would likely cost $300+ and even then he wasn't really able to offer me any suggestions. He said it would take at least an hour or two of design time. Not only was he not interested in helping, he actually insulted the piece several times. He compared it to a piece his family member gave him which he keeps in a drawer because he would never display it. That was really an awful way to talk about a sentimental piece that he knew my deceased grandmother had made for me! In the end, I went to Aaron Brothers and the gentleman at the framing counter was extremely attentive, interested, and genuinely concerned with creating a design solution for me. He was able to take digital photos of the piece with new mounting/framing suggestions, and showed me a computer-generated design in minutes. He came up with exactly what I had wanted. If I had not had the first positive experience with the Frame Maker, I definitely would have to give him a 1-star review for his level of customer service. :( read more

Our family has used The Frame Maker now for 6 different pieces and all have turned out great! Twice we met with Sam, once virtually and once in person. She was very patient and helpful during the decision process. Met with Greg once in person and he made the decision process effortless and pulled some color choices we might not have otherwise gone with. Overall we would highly recommend the shop for all your framing needs! read more

Decent work, friendly and polite staff. No complaints other than it being much more expensive than anywhere else for the same quality work. How much more expensive? Well it's kind of a burn when you talk to someone else afterwards and they tell you they could have done it for half the price.. as they say you better shop around. Wish I had. read more

I was very pleased with the service I received when I went to Frame Maker. I had some heirloom pieces from my 93 yo mother that I wanted preserved. Tom helped me from the start of this project and advised me in viewing my pieces from a third eye. The final result is now framed and hung for me to enjoy every day. Thanks for all your help. Ten times better then anything Michael's could of produced. Will visit again when I need professional framing. Thanks Tom! read more

Love, love, love their work! Great customer service and quality materials! They get the job done and make sure it is done right! I could not be more excited about my new frames!!! read more

Long overdue review! Tom was a massive help to us when we began bringing in a variety of art for framing/care. A wonderful man with a wonderful eye...he helped us narrow down our choices and the results are beautiful. Would recommend the Frame Maker and Tom in a heartbeat. read more

Extremely happy. This is where you should go for all your framing needs. Please ask for Tom. He's amazing and will counsel you on the best solution to your needs. 110/100 read more

It took just shy of 7 weeks to frame one piece of paper? Unsatisfactory!

Museum grade framing that I would not trust with anyone else. If you have important artwork any serious collector or conservator will advise you to go here. I have had 5 pieces done here all were done expertly. You get what you pay for and you do not get this quality at Aaron Brothers type place. read more

This is a phenomenal business! Despite having never worked with me before, Tom was able to expedite my framing job since he knew I was in a hurry, and he even finished it days before his initial estimate. All I had to do was tell him the general feel I wanted the frame to have, and he narrowed down their huge selection to give me a few great options to choose from, and I picked it up about a week later. Such an awesome experience! I'll definitely be back! read more

The folks did a wonderful and speedy job on a very special piece. In her youth, my grandmother made this amazing Christmas tree out of costume jewelry, backed on velvet. The frame broke long ago, and the lovely people at The Frame Maker made great suggestions and did a same day job - on Christmas Eve, no less! - restoring the piece to its former glory. Check them out - this is SO much better than Aaron Brothers! read more

-They care about their customers #1: when snowstorms in the Midwest snarled transportation of my chosen frame over the Thanksgiving weekend, Tom called to offer to put my piece in a temporary frame, since he knew it was to be the centerpiece of my birthday party the next week. I was able to pick it up, display it, and return it at my convenience once the real frame had arrived. AT NO ADDITIONAL CHARGE. I was absolutely floored, there was no room for disappointment. I was just so impressed that they would even offer to do something like that. This is what it means to go above and beyond in customer service. -They care about their customers #2: I do not have an artistic eye, just a general concept of what might go together. Tom is an artist in his own right for helping the minimally creative envision what their artwork could be. Tom didn't push the more expensive frame options. He explained the differences in frames, what makes one frame more expensive than another, and explained every cost upfront, so there were no surprises. He even educated me on how best to hang such a large piece in an earthquake-prone area. -They care about their community: This independent business provided the space for the exhibition of the works of Kevin Young, a San Diego based photographer recovering from a spinal cord injury. They could just hang generic works on the walls, but instead they let the beauty of Mr. Young's work draw you in, and shared his incredible story. Support this Independent business, they will look after you (especially if you are only minimally creative!) read more

The Frame Maker was recommended to us twice by 'those in the know' - once from someone in Dallas and another time from a San Francisco art dealer. We were definitely pleased with the quality of work on our first job. The 2nd time they called and requested we frame the 2nd as we did the 1st because they ran into a problem with the frame WITH NO CHARGE they did the new frame. Helpful designer/sales. Excellent business. read more

My friend and I purchased fragile paper pieces inParis and to perserve them we had to have them framed. A friend recommended this gallery. The owner is fun and truly appreciated my art pieces. He took alotof time to select the proper frame and the results were beautiful. I am so pleased and hope to return again soon. Thank you. read more

We brought in a oriental rug that had been in my family over a century. They provided excellent recommendations on the best way to frame and mount it. They did an outstanding job and we couldn't be happier. Wonderful people, priced right, delivered on time and it exceeded our expectations. read more