When framing modern art, the rule of thumb tends to be “less is more”. Sleek, minimalist frames and large white mats work very well with nearly every subject matter. Metal frames are very popular for this reason; however, the quality of metal frames is not quite what it used to be…

Until now!

Welded aluminum frames are back. Consider these as the Rolls Royce of metal frames, the grandfather of modern framing. They are extremely solid, as opposed to their recent impostors. Many metal frames are sold per side and then constructed using screws and corner pieces. Welded aluminum is made just as the name suggests… the corners are welded together at extremely high temperatures.  The mirror-like, polished surface offers a contrast to the brushed sides, and the corner seams are nearly invisible.

Silver Cloud Galleries is offering a variety of welded aluminum profiles at very reasonable prices, ranging from $30-$50 per foot. Stop in today to find out what all the fuss is about!

Silver Cloud is proud to be represented via Primitive Art in Chicago on a collection of hand-painted movie posters from Ghana. These pieces are incredibly eye-catching and have quite an interesting history… we won’t attempt to tell it as well as Primitive. For a full history , visit their website:

http://www.beprimitive.com/movie-mojo.

We are always delighted when Glenn comes in with a poster tucked under his arm.  Each piece is more unusual than the last, with imagery that leaves us with many questions (and sometimes a raised eyebrow).

Of course what excites us the most is deciding what frame would best suit the poster. With the bold imagery and bright colors, choosing the right frame to visually hold the poster can be an hour-long task. They are also quite large, so we have an opportunity to use beautifully carved 5″ mouldings.

Some day we dream of having one in our showroom. Until then, visit Primitive at 130 North Jefferson or the Chicago Cultural Center at 78 East Washington for a spectacle of unique art and high-quality framing!

Available to view and purchase at Primitive.

Unfortunately, we can’t shovel your driveway or start up your car when its 10 below, but we can offer some advice to warm up your winter. Does your home seem to fall short of ‘bright and cheery’? Not to worry, this is a common ailment suffered by homes during the winter, and it is most rampant in January and February. Here are just a few tips to bring some life back into your post-holiday dwelling.

Switch out tired framed art for prints with a punch of color.  We may not be ready for florals quite yet, but abstracts and warm-colored café scenes could work magic on a quiet wall. Bonus: the frame can be reused if it’s still in decent shape, and if you store your art carefully, you can always rekindle your love for them later on.

Another great way to warm up your home is to bring in some fresh, smiling faces. Develop and frame your favorite photos from the past year. Go for an eclectic arrangement and choose a variety of frame styles, or keep it simple with clean, black frames. A collage of photo frames can be a work of art in itself, so experiment with different shapes on a wall or corner that is lacking luster. Silver Cloud Tip: If you let us pick out your frames, (our customers are usually very pleased with the results when they grant us this privilege) we will reward your trust with a sizable discount.

Mirrors are also an instant pick-me-up for nearly any space. They can be made in many different sizes, from 1” by 1” to 8’ by 8’. We can frame them according to your décor. Several small mirrors can be arranged in an interesting pattern, or frame one large mirror to open up a space.  If placed under the right lighting, mirrors can illuminate a room with an added bonus of lowering your electric bill.

Of course, there are many other ways to brighten up your home this winter, like painting everything yellow, installing a fireplace or a skylight, replacing your carpeting with lush grass, or just packing it in and moving to the Caribbean. However, you may find our ideas a bit more practical.

Visit Silver Cloud for a full arsenal of framing tips!

About 55 hours actually. Yes, the holiday season is upon us. Hopefully all have finally found the time to relax, enjoy the company of others, and perhaps indulge in a delicious meal or two.  By the way, Osteria Via Stato is an excellent venue for this type of merriment.

The staff at Silver Cloud was fortunate enough to share a delicious dining experience at Osteria Via Stato for our holiday celebration. It is located in the Embassy Suites building just around the corner from our showroom. And let’s just say it was absolutely blog-worthy. Perfectly tailored drinks (blue cheese olives anyone?), savory appetizers (two words: wild mushrooms), generously portioned entrees, homemade chocolate toffee, and good conversation were just a few highlights of our meal (not to mention warm and attentive service). We had time to reflect on troubles and triumphs of 2010 and couldn’t help but feel grateful for an overall successful year. Thank you to our dear customers for making this happen because, really, where would be be without you?

From all of us at Silver Cloud Galleries, we wish you a happy holiday season and a wonderful new year!

“In the New Year, may your right hand always be stretched out in friendship, but never in want.”-Irish toast

Sorry for the leave of absence, but we’re back and ready for fall! There is much excitement (and more chances to save on custom framing) at Silver Cloud Galleries. For example…

Do you love your pet? Is your dog, cat, bunny, ferret, chinchilla, or iguana ready for fame? Does he or she pose for the camera at every opportunity? Look no further for Fluffy’s big break because Silver Cloud is hosting a Best Pet Photo contest! Send us your pet’s best shot via mail, email, or deliver it in person. The winner will be featured on our next promotional postcard that is sent out to all of our customers. Submit entries to info@silvercloudgalleries.com or  to 20 West Ohio Street, Chicago, IL 60654. We look forward to your photos!

So maybe you don’t have a pet, but you can still show some love with our referral program. Tell your friends about us and save money on custom framing. Better yet, they can save too! No good deed goes unrewarded, after all.

Stop in Silver Cloud to take part in these opportunities, to enjoy our everyday great prices and selection, or just to say hi! We love the company.

We have two, yes TWO!! new programs for you to enjoy. Frequent Framers and Referral Rewards can save you boatloads of money on your custom framing. Stop in our showroom (that’s 20 West Ohio Street in Chicago) to find out more about these exciting new offers.

Silvercloud Galleries is proud to present its new blog! Let framers, art-lovers, and blog addicts unite!

For our current theme, we are graciously accepting your sizzlin’ summer recipes and helpful household tips (though we certainly wouldn’t turn down any other love/kudos for our newborn blog).