THE 'FRAMING' OF AMERICA

Rag mats, acid-free backs, conservation glass.

Flags, golf balls, rope knots, baseball mitt, military medals, pictures.

Everybody is "framing" America.

Homes throughout the country are becoming mini art galleries, their walls hung with treasures ranging from a child's first, scribbled alphabet to great-grandmother's needlepoint to family photographs and prints.

Almost as long as there have been pictures, there have been finely crafted containers to hold them but never has the selection of frames been so large or has framing been so popular.

Although frames in a stock variety of sizes can be purchased in many stores, an increasing number of people are opting for custom framing, either to more exactly match the decor of their homes or to give a just-right touch to a special item.

"Custom frames" are handled individually by framers, who cut each piece of glass and fit each subject by hand. Other frames are mass-produced, complete with glass, backing and hangars, and can be found in a number of retail outlets throughout the country.

Framing has become big business.

Today, there are more than 25,000 professional "framers" nationwide.

Picture-framing schools can be found throughout the country, preparing framers for full or part-time employment in museums, art galleries and self-employment.

Framers recommend acid-free boards for original arts and other memorable items to protect them from deterioration.

"More than half of our business is framing," said Steven D. Gregg, of S. Gregg Gallery, 11 N. Main in Cape Girardeau. "We specialize in art and framing. We do a lot of specialized framing, including hand-painted mats and shadow-box frames."

"Framing has been a strong point with us for many years," said Steve Mueller of Stev-Mark Inc., which has operations at 16 N. Spanish and 2121 William.

"It's easily a third of our business," said Mark Mueller, a partner with his twin, Steve.

The Muellers specialize in the paints, wall coverings and artwork.

Jary Reppen of Cape Art Mart, 21 S. Plaza Way, spends a lot of time at the framing table.

"Every framer in town seems to keep busy," said Reppen. "I spend a good portion of my time framing pictures and memorabilia."

Reppen said, "We have requests for a variety of items to be custom-framed. I've framed swords, athletic uniforms, baby clothes, military medals, buttons and other items, even old feed sacks."

Reppen said advertisements from old magazines and needlework are also popular, along with old photographs.

Framing has created a variety of markets that help boost the economy.

In addition to outlets for fine art prints, posters and mats, the framing business requires a number of tools and materials.

"People frame a lot of things," said Gregg, whose business has been downtown since 1980. "We recently spent the day with one customer who had a wide variety of original artwork, old family photographs and some small collector-type items. This represents a good gamut of what we frame."

He said, "We work with each individual to determine appropriate framework for the art they have. Basically we take into consideration the customer's needs and his or her wishes."

Gregg said certain types of artwork lean toward particular types of frames.

"You wouldn't want a chrome-metal frame on an old masterpiece of art," he said. By the same token "we try to mix and match various shades of matting for the picture or item to be framed."

Gregg has framed a number of items flags, signed baseballs and recently a number of rope knots, reminiscent of Boy Scout activities.

Gregg has one of a few American shops that provide the French matting techniques.

"This technique was developed by the Victorians," said Gregg. "It utilizes different shades of mats around a print and includes inked lines drawn by hand. All this gives an optical illusion of depth and texture."

As many as 85 percent of the frame shops in the nation discontinued the French technique in the 1920s when colored mat boards were introduced.

"Antique map framing is popular in this area," said Gregg, "and family photographs are always popular." Gregg's company cuts and joins everything at the store.

Framing has been a strong point for Stev-Mark for a number of years, said Steve Mueller, manager of the downtown operation, which also features an art gallery and a custom-frame operation.

"Art galleries at both of our locations enable people to see artwork on display in a gallery setting," said Mueller. It also helps customers select matting and frames for their prints."

In addition to custom framing, there are always ready-made frames that are adequate for certain occasions -- token award certificates or as a holder for high-school diplomas.

Steve Mueller recalls framing a baby blanket in a large frame.

"We couldn't even get the frame in the back of our van," he said. "It measured something like six-by-ten feet or larger."

These frames are available at a number of stores and are complete with glass, stapled fitting device, backing and hanger.