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As Politicians Debate, an Ohio Business Acts to Reduce Fuel Consumption Creates ‘Ride on Nitrogen Initiative’ (RONI) Over a Cup of Coffee
August 15, 2008- While Congress is on vacation and presidential candidates debate energy strategy, an Ohio picture framing company — American Frame Corporation — is actually taking action this week.
American Frame is a national Internet company, which offers picture frames and framing products, fine art printing and photographic services at wholesale prices direct to the consumer. This family business has been supporting do-it-yourself framers, artists, photographers, businesses and homeowners for more than 35 years, and has been concerned about rising energy costs affecting their employees.
Recently Chris and Dana Dunbar of American Frame were discussing the merits of the presidential candidates' energy policies while watching the news and enjoying a morning cup of coffee. Chris, a car enthusiast and the company's purchasing manager, interjected, "You know, nitrogen is a smarter gas for inflating tires. Why aren’t the politicians encouraging this?"
Dana Dunbar, the company’s controller and co-owner, jumped on this idea as a proactive step that American Frame could immediately take to positively impact the environment while helping its employees reduce their commuting costs. According to www.getnitrogen.org, nitrogen is more stable than oxygen and allows for increased gas mileage of 4% to 10%, tire longevity of up to 30%, and eliminates rim rust.
Within minutes, Chris contacted a local tire service center, Tireman in Maumee, a suburb of Toledo, Ohio to arrange for American Frame’s employees to bring their cars to its location for fill-ups, with cost to be covered by American Frame.
Employee reaction was instantaneous. American Frame has made this a permanent program, calling it the Ride on Nitrogen Initiative (RONI) and is now encouraging its customers, local business owners and the nation to fill up their tires with nitrogen.
American Frame expects RONI to save its employees $10,000 collectively on gas and maintenance within the first year.
"We simply cannot wait around while our politicians debate issues," said Dana Dunbar. "We hope the Ride on Nitrogen Initiative will demonstrate the ability of small businesses to positively impact communities in a grassroots fashion."
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American Frame wins Distinguished Business Award
December 14, 2006- The Northwest Ohio Art Education Association honored American Frame as their 2007 Distinguished Business for Art Education. A special awards ceremony and luncheon was held at the Center for Visual Arts adjacent to the Toledo Museum of Art.
Karrie King, NWOAEA Director presented the award to company representatives Laura Jajko, VP and Matt Mickel, Photographer. A student intern from Bowling Green University studying with Mr. Mickel photographed the event.
In a brief presentation to the group, Ms. Jajko stressed American Frame’s commitment to ongoing art education. In addition to the funding it provides to art associations nationwide, American Frame is sponsoring some instructional programming on PBS: Terry Madden’s “Watercolor World” and Bob Ross’ “The Joy of Painting”. “High quality educational programming depends on funding, so this is something we are very proud to support.”
She also emphasized the company’s development of the “Frame Fairy’ video series online. “I hope this is something that all of you can use in your classrooms, or at least direct your students to for their own use. The instructions are clear, entertaining, and relevant.”
Lastly, Ms Jajko reviewed the launch of the online art gallery on the American Frame site and asked teachers to encourage their students to post their artwork there. “I can’t think of a better way to inspire them to produce, and you never know, they just may be discovered”.
American Frame entered the picture-framing industry as a small, family business with one frame style – Standard Metal – in a few basic colors. Today, they offer hundreds of metal and wood custom-cut frames and framing materials to the most demanding professionals, the largest businesses and the most selective homeowners.
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American Frame Launches Animated Do-It-Yourself Tutorials
October 15, 2006- The American Frame Marketing Team has created a fun and entertaining way to take the intimidation factor out of "do-it yourself" custom picture framing with the introduction of The Frame Fairy on-line tutorials.
It’s a light hearted approach to something that many people are afraid to try.
According to Laura Jajko, VP, "we were looking at sprucing up the framing instructions which are included in customer orders and on the website. So, we involved our resident expert in our Showroom, Kim Thompson, to work on some ideas to present the framing process in a fun and creative way. Along with our designers on staff, the 'Frame Fairy' was born. She's a funny little creature inspired by Kim, this Frame Fairy lives in the land of 'Picture Perfect' who would help create artists, decorators, homeowners and hobbyists create unique, professional framing treatments. We test marketed the written tutorial and the feedback was pretty unanimous ... great concept ... hard to follow in print. So we decided to try animation."
Being a family business, American Frame recruited the owner's son, Mark Mickel, who is a musician, writer, movie maker and cartoonist. He brought the Frame Fairy to life, made her absolutely hilarious, kept the instructions simple, and added sound effects and music.
Today, customers can access lessons on preparing artwork and assembling wood and metal frames by going to AmericanFrame.com. Future episodes will focus on some technical and some stylistic aspects of framing.
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American Frame Partners With Artists to Bring a Gallery into Every Home
September 12, 2006- American Frame Corporation, a leader in the “do-it-yourself” custom framing industry, has launched The Artist’s Gallery, an on-line art gallery of original work by practicing artists from around the world. The gallery’s purpose is two-fold: it gives customers access to thousands of images beyond those available in chain stores and provides working artists a showcase to reach admirers, creating sales opportunities far beyond that of local art shows.
According to Vice President Laura Jajko “The gallery opens the door for art lovers on modest budgets to be come fine art collectors and have access to original imagery which they may not otherwise experience.” Customers can browse the gallery at American Frame’s website by category or search by keyword, which makes finding the perfect image among thousands—even tens of thousands--practical. When customers find the piece that speaks to them, they will see several options for purchase. They can select one of the framing treatments designed by the artist or choose their own frame and mat options using the website’s “Frame Shop” on-line. This virtual mock up shows customers how their print will look with their mat and frame before they order. This ensures customers their choices will compliment the artwork as well as the space in which it will hang. American Frame then reproduces the original art work on fine art paper with inks specifically made for fine art reproduction. Lastly, the work is custom-framed by professionals and shipped to the customer ready-to-hang.
Bill Goodyear, Director of Marketing for the company, points out, “American Frame has been the source for affordable, custom frames since 1973. It is only natural that now we are partnering with artists to offer affordable, custom work to go in those frames.”
The gallery will include paintings, photographs and drawings. Artists will determine what size their art should be reproduced in and what medium it should be printed on: paper or canvas. The prices for the artwork will also be set by the artist and no commission on the art will be taken by American Frame. This ensures that the on-line art gallery experience is akin to the real-life exchange of artist and admirer.
American Frame has made a name for themselves by concentrating on the marriage between the custom and the affordable and being a source for artists as well as homeowners. Laura Jajko stresses, “Our commitment to art and those who love it and our philosophy that art should always be displayed at its best, even on a modest budget, makes the art gallery a given. It is a logical extension of everything we’ve been doing for 35 years.” To that end American Frame offers a 30-day money back guarantee. If a customer is not entirely satisfied with their custom art and frame package, they can return it within 30 days and receive a full refund.
American Frame entered the picture-framing industry as a small, family business with one frame – Standard – in a few basic colors. Today, they are still a family business, but now they offer more than 200 metal and wood custom-cut frames, framing materials and fine art printing, to the most demanding-professionals, the largest businesses and the most selective homeowners. Adding original images from practicing artists to their offerings is simply the most recent in a long-line of innovations meant to increase the accessibility and affordability of fine custom framed art.
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American Frame Supports PBS and Terry Madden’s Watercolor Workshop
June 30, 2006- American Frame Corporation, a leader since 1973 in the "do-it-yourself" custom picture framing industry, will be underwriting the 2006-2007 season of Terry Madden's Wonderful World of Watercolor program on PBS.
The company chose to underwrite Terry Madden's Watercolor Workshop for many reasons, including it being one of the most-watched art programs nationally. Bill Goodyear, Director of Marketing, says "Terry has a unique ability to connect with his audience and make them want to express themselves in color, whether they are new to painting or have years of experience. He inspires novices to experiment and professionals to stretch their style. His excitement is contagious and we are proud to support his work and the education he offers via PBS."
For nearly 35 years, American Frame has built its reputation as a market leader by providing high quality custom picture framing supplies and innovative services at wholesale prices, direct to the consumer. Laura Jajko, Vice President, stresses, "Our commitment has always been to the working artist and hobbyist. A show like Terry Madden's Watercolor Workshop provides a unique opportunity to encourage our customers' ongoing art education and creative development."
American Frame entered the picture-framing industry as a small, family business with one frame style – Standard Metal – in a few basic colors. Today, they offer hundreds of metal and wood custom-cut frames and framing materials to the most demanding-professionals, the largest businesses and the most selective homeowners.
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“Today’s Family” to feature American Frame Corporation
October 11, 2005- Platinum Television Group is pleased to announce the selection of American Frame Corporation for its innovative, educational television series, Today's Family. The company will be featured in a segment on "Picture Framing" in the Online Shopping Solutions Series.
American Frame Corporation, with factory and retail store in Maumee, Ohio, makes it easy for artists and consumers alike to frame their own treasures and achieve professional results at prices far more affordable than with custom framers. The company began as a small, family-owned business in 1973 when they offered only one standard frame in a few basic colors via direct mail. It is still family-owned, but now boasts the largest selection of fine wood and metal frames and professional-quality mats on the web along with superb, personalized customer service to help individuals make their own artistic statement. Customers may even try out different color mats and frames utilizing AFC's unique online capabilities — visualizing their finished choices prior to making a purchase.
According to Laura Jajko, VP and company spokesperson, "We are so excited to have been selected by Platinum TV for this particular segment. This is such a great opportunity to reach out to American families nationwide and showcase what our artist customers have known for years — that custom picture framing is simple, fun and very affordable. There is no easier way to make a house a home than with fine, custom framed art you've created yourself."
All materials, mats and frames are custom-cut to each customer's specifications so that anyone can be the creative force behind their art displays, whether family photos, purchased artwork or their own creations, from painting to needlepoint to memory collages. With a focus on affordability, ease and personal style, American Frame also offers professional-grade framing tools, art posters and prints for purchase and enhanced digital services such as fine art printing and photo restoration and repair or enhancement of personal artwork and photographs.
The firm makes framing easy and enjoyable for the do-it-yourselfer by providing consumer-driven guidance from start to finish; from what to order to the simple assembly process. Whether customers frame once a year or once a week, this is a great way to get a custom look without the custom price — with savings up to 70% off retail!
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