We are excited to introduce Lisa Grandcourt, the creative mind behind Atelier Frames, a custom picture framing service that elevates your artwork and needlework. With an eye for detail and a passion for craftsmanship, Lisa is dedicated to providing bespoke framing solutions that protect and showcase your most cherished pieces.
Atelier Frames offers a wide range of framing styles and materials, ensuring that your creations are not only beautifully presented but also preserved for years to come. Whether you’re looking to frame a delicate cross stitch, a treasured painting, or a family heirloom, Lisa’s expertise guarantees the perfect frame tailored to suit your style and needs.
What sets Atelier Frames apart is Lisa’s commitment to quality and her personalized approach to every project. Each frame is carefully selected to complement the piece it holds, enhancing the artwork’s unique beauty while ensuring long-term protection. From traditional designs to modern aesthetics, Lisa works closely with clients to find the best framing solution, making sure every piece is displayed in the best possible way.
Lisa’s dedication to craftsmanship and personalized service makes Atelier Frames the go-to destination for those seeking more than just a frame—a piece of art that enhances their space and preserves memories.
For more information, visit Atelier Frames Website or connect with Lisa on Instagram at @atelierpictureframing
How did you first start?
I first started my small business in April 2022 as I needed a new challenge, and my ‘day job’ was no longer giving me job satisfaction. I felt that I needed to start thinking about a longer-term plan and setting up my own business on a part-time basis, whilst still having a regular income from my day job, seemed the way forward. I was fortunate enough to be able to reduce my hours at my day job, which allowed me more time to focus on my small business. My first step was to learn the trade, and a friend's husband, who has his own picture framing shop, had offered to teach me the art of picture framing, so I took him up on the offer. As well as learning the art of picture framing, I also enrolled in a free open university course on how to set up a small business. I also accessed a free business start-up course, which covered everything I needed to know about setting up a business. From that point on, I registered with HMRC as a Sole Trader and it has been a roller coaster of learning, challenges, and reward for the past three years (as well as a few tears of frustration and self-doubt at times).
Tell me more about your business. What inspired you to start your own brand?
As part of the learning process, it involved doing some market research to see if there was much call for a picture framing business in a semi-rural location where I live. Over the years, the local towns have seen a decline in picture framing business as framers retire and no one new is learning the trade. Because i wasn’t in a position to open up a shop on the high street, my business is run from my small framing studio at home, and my unique selling point was that my service would be available to customers on evenings and weekends to fit in with customers who may work and who don’t have the time to fit in with the normal shop trading business hours. I also offer a virtual service where customers post their work to me and I share framing options with them by email/chat until we come up with the right combination of frame/mount. When their work is completed, I then arrange to post the finished project back. I have always been creative, from needlework to wood turning, I am at my happiest when I am creating something, and so picture framing has become an extension of that.
How did you choose your business name?
I did a bit of a call out to my family and friends to see if they could come up with a name for my business. A very good friend of mine got the winning vote for Atelier Frames. The meaning of Atelier is a workshop or studio, especially one used by an artist or designer. So this seemed quite apt for me and so that is the name I went with.
What’s the secret to your creative process and what do you enjoy most about it?
There is no secret. Just let your imagination lead the way. Use all the tools available to your advantage, and never be afraid to ask for help or advice on things that might be puzzling. I have lain in bed at night, unable to sleep, many times thinking through a plan or a design to make something work, and more often than not, the late-night thinking has paid off, and the plan comes together when I set to work in my Atelier.
What I love most about framing is there is so much choice and so many different ways to frame something, particularly memorabilia. I love it when a customer brings me something unusual to frame as it really gets my creative mind working.
How would you describe your style?
With picture framing, more often than not, it is the customer's decision on the style of frame they want or the layout. There are occasions when customers give me the creative license to come up with a solution to framing their item to showcase their work or the object. I was recently asked to frame a cross stitch, but with a shelf to display some crystals. The customer wanted the crystals to be easily accessible so they could be removed and handled. The final outcome was amazing, and everything worked out as I had planned. The cross stitch was displayed at the top, and a separate frame was underneath with a removable frame door. I think if I had to have a favourite style, then making box frames to showcase memorabilia, whether this is sports memorabilia, medals, ornaments, etc. Not everyone has the tools, equipment or inclination to do this type of framing, but I love the challenge it puts to me.
What’s your favourite make and why? What are you most proud of?
It's hard to name a favourite as every week I frame something, it becomes my new favourite. I have stitched a few pieces for myself and have tried to frame them differently, just to show different options other than putting a picture on the wall. One of them was a cross-stitch sampler, which I made into a fire screen, and the other was a Modern Folk Sampler, which I made into a working clock.
I always find it a privilege to be asked to frame a piece of work that someone has put so much time and effort into doing. I feel I have built up a small business where customers can trust me with their work and have the same understanding as them in the value of their work.
What do you hope people get from your art?
By offering a customised framing service, I feel I am able to offer my customers a service that will showcase their work, particularly customers in our cross-stitch community. If my customers are satisfied with the service I offer and share it with their family and friends, then this means so much to me in supporting my small business.
What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned?
Every day is a learning day. If something doesn’t go to plan, I don’t see it as failing but I see it as learning something new. And whether it it framing or any other craft, always remember… measure twice, cut once.
What fun things can we expect from you in the future?
I am always looking for new challenges, so I put this out there to my potential customers. If you have something unusual to frame, then please get in touch and lets explore the posibilities. To date, as well as framing photos, artwork, cross stitches, I have also been
asked to frame these unusual objects….. a cricket stump, a bottle of beer, a Beswick zebra ornament, rugby caps, medals, a paint brush, crystals, russian dolls and war memorabillia to name a few. So I am up for the challenge if someone has something unusual they want framing.
Whether you're looking to frame a delicate cross stitch, a treasured painting, or a family heirloom, Lisa's expertise ensures that each frame enhances the beauty of your work while providing lasting preservation. Her commitment to quality and personalized service makes Atelier Frames the go-to destination for those seeking more than just a frame—but a piece of art that enhances their space and preserves memories.
Connect with Lisa:
- Website: atelierframes.co.uk
- Email: atelierframes@hotmail.com
- Instagram: @atelierframes
