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FALC has compiled a list
of businesses and services that our members might find useful.
We do not endorse any of these businesses nor is the club paid
to recommend them. We have simply compiled information that several
of our members have contributed.
We would welcome more recommendations
from FALC members who have researched the best places for art
related needs. Please note: This is not meant to be an advertising
space for random businesses. The FALC organizing committee will
decide if a recommendation is to be included on this page.
Many places may offer discounts
if you have a seller's permit so don't forget to mention that
when shopping.
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Supplies
Clearbags.com or clearenvelopes.com are good
websites to buy clear plastic acrylic bags for protecting
cards, prints and matted work. They also sell specialty items
like vinyl book mark covers and checkbook covers that can be used
to display artwork pieces. Shipping is usually very quick.
ULine.com sells bubble bags in various
sizes which are great for protecting your framed work while transporting
or storing. Prevents scratches and dents while piling artwork
together.
JDM packing Supplies
(JDMpackingsupplies.com) in Sunnyvale at the corner of Mary/Fremont
sell bubblewrap in rolls in different sizes at very low
prices. You could buy bubblewrap by the yard and make your own
bags to protect your artwork. They have other locations
in downtown San Jose at Bird/San Carlos.
Tap Plastics in Mountain View on Castro Street
is a great place to buy plexiglass to replace glass for
your bigger artwork. They sell acrylic in matte or regular finish
and will cut the sheets to size while you wait. They also sell
acrylic business card holders or display items and storage
boxes and will punch holes (for hanging with hooks) on any items
if requested. They have other locations besides Mountain View.
Members have recommended that you buy the thinner lighter plexi
since the thicker size seems to diffuse the image.
Tap Plastics is also a great place to buy velcro
by the yard to stick on the back of labels. Their velcro seems
easy to cut without ruining several pairs of scissors and prices
are more reasonable than buying velcro at the sewing store or
craft stores.
Costco.com has been recommended for getting
your greeting cards printed with images of your artwork.
They also supply the envelopes. They do however put a Costco stamp
in the back of each card.
Kwik Copy at the intersection of Bollinger and
De Anza in Cupertino prints greeting cards for 90 cents
per copy (you can do 2 cards on a sheet). The 90lb paper is the
thickest you should go with since it is not easy to score the
thicker paper.
Red River Paper (www.redriverpaper.com or www.redrivercatalog.com)
sells paper for prints, both economy and fine art, pre-scored
greeting cards etc. You can order samples for a small fee to get
a better feel for their products. Members have tried out their
Premium Matte, Polar Matte and Fine Art Inkjet papers and pre-scored
greeting cards.
AAron Brothers is a good store for buying readymade
frames up to 24 x 36. They do have a few frames available
that are slightly bigger. The 40% off coupon is available online
if you google it. Twice a year they have a "buy one frame
get the second for a penny" sale and that is a good time
to stock up. For a small fee, they will put your artwork in the
frame and finish it with the hanging hardware. They also sell
matboard if you want to cut your own mats with a mat cutter
from Cheapjoes.com.
Pictureframes.com sells unassembled frames
through an online catalog. Members have recommended the metal
floating frames for canvas which are really easy to assemble with
minimum tools. All frames come with the complete kit of hanging
hooks and wire. Shipping time is sometimes long.
Services
Picture Element (PictureElement.com) has been
recommended for scanning, photography and printing. Mike
and his staff there have received very good reviews from customers
who say that they are not the cheapest but they do an excellent
job. If you have a good home printer, you could use this place
to get your paintings scanned (they will give you your
image on a disk) and you could print at home yourself.
www.GoldenStateArt.com at 352 Shaw Road Suite
D South San Francisco, CA 94080 has been recommended to get matting
at a reasonable price locally. The contact person is Peter.
They offer standard sizes and custom matting. They will ship the
order or it can be picked up and they do not charge tax if you
have a sellers permit. 650-226-8119.
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