Premium chocolates from Maggie Lyon

It was the aroma from the candles that drew us in at the booth in the Atlanta Market.  We were impressed with the containers; how their understated elegance stood out, but then one after one, we picked them up and said to each other, “Ooo, smell this one!”, and “Oh, this is my favorite!”    We didn’t purchase them at first, after all, candles are plentiful at market, so it truly takes something original to stand out.  Later in the evening, though, we both remembered these candles among the sea of possibilities.   Later in the market visit, we sought them out for another look.

This time, we noticed every detail.   How they were hand poured in Georgia, and each container was handmade.   How the company was born in a household kitchen and grew into a small business.   And most of all, how owner Julia Leaphart returned to her India roots to employ several people in a poor village nestled at the base of the Himalayan mountains, thus the name.

We strive to find beautiful items to include in our store, and we expecially try to find things that are unique.   By unique, we mean a product that you not only think is beautiful, but something that you can actually feel good about.    Julia has returned to a village in India, and employed people who handcraft the containers for a livlihood; people who might otherwise be in a very uncomfortable situation.   I admire anyone who finds creative ways to create while helping someone in the process.

Once the containers arrive in Georgia, the candles are handpoured by Julia and two employees.   This is definately NOT your mass-produced, run of the mill candle.   We could talk about how gorgeous they are or how wonderful the aromas are, but we think you have to smell them for yourselves to appreciate just how intoxicating they truly are.

Barb's favorite is "Campfire", which comes in a spice tin container. She says it smells like a rich smokey cigar, mixed with a nice man's cologne.

Wedding photos, Senior portraits, baby’s milestones and other of life’s moments are captured by the photographer’s lens.   There are times when we want to hire a professional photographer so that the best possible images are recorded for our future enjoyment.   It stands to reason that you would also want the very best protection and design for those images.

Professional photographers study their craft, purchase the best equipment and spend years perfecting their art, just as professional framers do.   Professional framing is so much more than just placing a photo in a frame and sealing it up.    A skilled framing designer will select a frame and matting to compliment the subjects of the photos, taking in account the environment in which the portraits are to be displayed.    Light sources in the environment, heating and cooling, even the materials the walls are made of all can impact framed photography and art.   A portrait purchased and meant to hang on a stone fireplace may wick up moisture from the stone and damage the contents if the framer doesn’t know that you intend to hang it in that type of environment and design the framing package accordingly.

For us, protecting your memories is our business.   The frame is designed to showcase your portraits, and to protect them.

For instance, glass should never be in contact with a photo or fine art.   Matting provides a space between the photos and the glass for air to circulate.   Without the air space, humidity can condense on the surface of the glass and cause photos to adhere to the glass, or can trap the moisture inside, leading to a molding issue, among other things.    In the absense of matting, an acrylic spacer is substituted to insure the proper amount of air space is allowed in the frame package.    You don’t see it, but the portective measure is there.

Another level of protection that a professional can provide it to select the correct type of matting for the art of photo.   All matting is not created equal.   Many novice framers and hobbyists do not realize the many types of matting available and often select the least expensive options.   Unfortunately, the least expensive mats are nearly always made from wood pulp and loaded with chemicals that will eventually leach from the boards onto your art/photos, leaving brownish stains and spots, and damaging your investment.

Fortunately, protection doesn’t have to be expensive.

Professional design and protection can be very affordable.

This 8 x 12 portrait was beautifully framed for less than $100.     We also have framing packages that start as low as $59.00.

Sports memorabilia, a few tokens from a special vacations, things tucked away in a box in a drawer….these are all items that tell the best stories about our lives.   It only takes a vision to bring them to life.   We are in the business of making those visions materialize.

Everyone has those few special memories tucked back; the items that define who we are, and who and what we love.

Framing those treasures is a great way to enjoy the memories.   Unfortunately,  simply putting them in a frame will not automatically preserve those items.   All too often, more damage is incurred by well meaning do-it-yourselfers or amateur framers who aren’t experienced in preservation techniques and materials.

Careful consideration needs to be taken when handling delicate or aging items.   How the weight is distributed, how much UV light should be filtered to extend the life of the item, what type of backing board/fabric is best suited should all be considered.   Adhesives of almost every kind can incur damage, therefore a professional framer has spent hours upon hours training to learn alternative methods of securing items in shadowboxes.

Inspiration for incredible designs can be found anywhere.   Simply look around your home and you’ll quickly begin to discover things that mean so much to you; items that make a statement about who you are or where you came from.   There is nothing better or more personal to frame and display.

Nearly Gone....the photos on the left were brought to us for professional restoration. The right are the revived copies.

We recommend scanning the originals with a high resolution photo scanner, and restoring the digital files.   We can then print out copies, as many as you want, on archival paper with fade resistant inks.    Many damaged photos can be recreated, including tears, missing pieces or other mishaps.

Why choose us? 

What separates us from the rest is our quality.   We take time to make sure you are getting the very best restoration you can get.   We are not the fastest, nor are we the cheapest, but you can rest assured that in the end, you will get the best.   And with some things in life, the only the best will do.