Loading...
- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Movies |
- All
Artistic Expert Picture Framing
Category: Shopping Arts & Crafts Framing Framing
1975 Shattuck Ave(between Berkeley Way & University Ave)
Berkeley, CA 94704
Neighborhood: Downtown Berkeley
(510) 665-5951
- Full service framing shop with a wide selection of frames and mouldings
- We offer the latest in conservation and archival techniques, plus delivery and installation
- Coupon must be presented when placing order
- Promotion lasts for 1 year from date of purchase. After that period, your Certificate is redeemable for the amount you paid. Only 1 Certificate can be redeemed per person. Up to 3 Certificates may be purchased as gifts for others. Must be used in a single visit. Tax not included. Not to be combined with other vouchers, coupons or discounts Subject to the Yelp Deals General Terms.
- Reg. Price $80
- Discount 56%
- Savings $45
- Hours:
Mon 9:30 am - 5 pm
Tue-Sat 9:30 am - 6 pm
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
24 reviews for Artistic Expert Picture Framing
Review Highlights
24 reviews in English
-
Review from Cassandra C.
Oakland, CA
10/16/2011
In an era where pre-fab and cookie-cutter goods from big box retailers abound, thank goodness that true craftsmen still exist.
If it isn't important to you, buy a nice, premade frame at a retailer and be done with it. This is NOT where you get your posters or movie tickets framed- unless they are really precious to you and you want to present them that way.
This is where you bring things that are SPECIAL. It might be original art, the diploma or license that is the heart of your profession, or the the awards you are most proud of achieving. This is where you bring things you love and they are treated with reverence and respect.
I had a large project that needed repair. I brought to Rudolfo and got thorough, professional, efficient service from a craftsman. He has over 30 years experience and it shows. He knows exactly what needs to be done and does it. He is easy and graceful with these materials; having done this thousands of times doesn't diminish his passion or performance. He knows just the right tools, finishes, and technique to use.
Based on this experience, (including the charges) I have several other items, precious enough to me, to be a use of Rudolfo's time.
By the way, pricing can be summed up like this: Steaks cost less at Sizzler than Ruth's Chris. If you are happy with Sizzler, by all means, go there. If you'd like a different quality, go where that happens.
For outstanding quality craftsmanship, at an appropriate charge for that work, go to Rudolfo at Artistic Expert Picture Framing. -
Review from Zakkary Z.
Oakland, CA
9/15/2011
I love this place! I bought a Groupon and let the owner know I couldn't afford to spend any extra. He was so kind and went out of his way to help me stay on budget.
My artwork looks so beautiful.
Artist Expert Pictures has earned 5 stars from me! -
Review from Meghan H.
Oakland, CA
8/24/2011
As other reviewers have noted, the gentlemen who run Artistic are very friendly. Fine: I also found them to be friendly, if not a little pushy. Rather than consulting me on whether or not I wanted extra features for my picture (special glass, for example) he just tacked it on the price and then mentioned it casually while tallying the bill. Hold up, buddy, I don't need the extra cost of museum-quality glass! I mean, I was framing a reprint. Let's get real. And yet after I told him I didn't need it, he still tried to sell me on it.
I wasn't quite turned off at that point; the dude's trying to run in a business, you know? And I can appreciate that in this economy that's no small feat. But here's the thing: if your prices are too high, you won't get any business! I found this place prohibitively expensive. Even though I saw that other reviewers said it had higher prices, I had a Groupon, so I figured with my discount I would be in good shape. Plus I was only framing one small poster (roughly 16x24), how expensive could it be?
$240!
What?
With the discount I paid significantly less, but really? I figured this was going to be the best damn frame job I had ever seen. Upon receiving it, all I could think was "meh." It was okay, not great. The picture is actually slightly crooked.
Next time I need to frame something I'm ignoring the temptations dangled in front of me by Groupon and heading back up the street to North Berkeley Frame where I once got two giant prints framed beautifully for $180.Comment from Rodolfo O. of Artistic Expert Picture Framing 12/2/2011
We are sorry about your displeasure with your experience,… More » -
Review from kristi s.
San Francisco, CA
2/8/2012
5 stars for quality of work, negative stars for price.
I bought a Groupon for $35 for $100 worth of framing. I needed to frame an 8x10 print, and in the Groupon ad it suggested that 8x10 pieces cost around $100 and larger pieces around $200 or higher. I took it in, and the total cost was $230. So I owed an additional $130 to the $35 I already paid. Now, I should have said something and I didn't so that's my own fault....I just felt like a cheap sucker. I didn't get a particularly expensive frame (when I balked at price, we priced cheaper frames that only brought cost down $10-$15), and nothing special done to the work. Perhaps a bunch of stuff got added on that they didn't tell me about, and when I questioned about changing anything to reduce the price, nothing was mentioned as optional. It looks really nice, but I've never spent more than $100 to frame a small piece of art.
I am writing this review because I know they continue to have these kinds of coupons out there -- don't be like me and assume that you won't owe much more after you shell out the price of the coupon. It's rough to purchase coupons when you don't actually know the full price of what you are going to owe. -
Review from Martin I.
Berkeley, CA
1/9/2012
I used Artistic Framing back in 2009 and they did a great job on my two prints. I came back in 2012 because the mirror I bought from Crate and Barrel had very weak framing hooks. The owner properly mounted the correct hooks and wire assembly and showed me what went wrong. He didn't even charge me for it :)
He was just happy to help. I will definitely be back. -
Review from John G.
Oakland, CA
1/19/2012 Purchased a Yelp Deal
Excellent work, good service. They did a bang-up job framing some awesome 19th century bank notes that my wife had, and were very affordable.
-
Review from Emerson M.
Oakland, CA
7/2/2011 2 Check-ins Here
These guys do a great job of framing, and also have nice artistic input regarding the combination of frame, matting, fillet, etc. Rodolfo and Scott are also very friendly. I would bring a majority of my business here if it were not for three major downsides:
1. Their workload is too high for their small staff, and they suffer from long turn around times. They should probably hire additional framers.
2. Their prices are very high. It's good work mind you, but still on the higher end.
3. There is room for miscommunication regarding the job you want. This is easily addressed by staying on top of them, and the order you requested-- however it should really be the business' responsibility to stay on top of their frame specifications. -
Review from Coco M.
Nob Hill, San Francisco, CA
4/3/2011 2 photos
15 of 5 stars reviews? Really? Were they reviews from your relatives and buddies?
My girlfriend took a 29"X40" size poster and an existing frame and mat to "Artistic Expert Picture Framing." All I wanted was for them to cut the mat and I'd do the rest, but they insisted they couldn't do that and had to do more. They wanted to mount the poster and install a backing and the wire too. Fine. It took a month for them to do the work ... and more than $80. But this was not the biggest issue.
Here the worst of it: once we finally had the poster back home, we hung it over our bed. After a few weeks, I had the stunning surprise to have the frame fall from the wall inches from my head--while I was sleeping! My girlfriend came running from the other room to see what happened. Luckily the frame slipped between the wall and the bed! Otherwise I would have been seriously injured. When I turned over the frame and looked inside the torn dust paper to see what had happened, I found that they'd placed the screws so they didn't actually go into the frame--they were right at the edge, and they split the frame on the inside. I have several pictures to prove it. I'm shocked the poster didn't fall earlier.
So, now I have a busted frame and almost a busted head, and I'm taking care of this myself... Will I ever go to the place again? Nooooope. And I will tell all my friends about the event. Too bad I cannot rate them a quarter of a star.
Update on 4/23/11: The owner contacted me and agreed to a refund, and also doesn't plan to accept work in the future that uses third party frames. A fair response and I'm fine to leave things here at even.Comment from Rodolfo O. of Artistic Expert Picture Framing 7/9/2011
The following is an excerpt from the the message that we… More » -
Review from Brian L.
Oakland, CA
10/11/2008
Two hours 'til the pictures had to be displayed at the wedding ceremony in Milpitas. I rushed in with my enlargements and mumbled something to the effect of, "I need these framed and I can't afford a whole lot and I need them done in in an hour and they need to be great but simple, elegant but not gaudy, tasteful but out of the ordinary, straightforward but not bland and sorry my mind's thinking a million different things right now" all in one breath - which was already short from running down the street from elephant pharmacy (where I had the pictures developed - excellent by the way).
Hearing myself ramble on like that made me realize how crazy I must've sounded - demanding what I deemed to be the near-impossible. Boy was I wrong. With a warm smile and a welcoming sweep of the arms, Rodolfo reassures me that all will be well and that he will take care of me. And take care of me he did! He went right to work, asking for my constant input because he didn't want anything I didn't want. When it was clear I was lost as to which colors would fit the background of the picture without compromising contrast while matching the frame but not washing the picture out...he gently stepped in with a few suggestions, some words of encoruagement and off we were again. He was working so fiercely that he had to put off his sweater.
I was surprised by the sweat and blood he was putting into the work - he made it so personal that I almost felt bad. In fact, at one point I muttered something like "I'm so sorry for being a difficult customer" to which he quickly replied with reassurance, almost hurt that I would feel that way - it was no problem at all.
When the dust had settled and the pieces lain in my hands - the brief quiet of admiration was rewarding for both of us.
Out the door I went with two of the most beautifully framed engagement photos ever. What I appreciated most was his eye for art and color, texture and product. Though he is an expert and master at his skill, never once did he brush my opinions aside or leave me in the dust. Rather carried me along, always asking my thoughts, always having me give my input, at one point even telling me not to hesitate in shooting down his ideas because this WAS, in fact, my photographic art work, not his.
At the wedding, I received many a compliment for my photos but no less for the beautiful framing and art that embraced them.
I'm grateful to Rodolfo. I sit here writing the review with this single image in mind: As I walked out of the shop with a sheepish word of awed gratitude - Rodolfo, with sweat glistening off his forehead, gave me a nod and a word of encouragement with the same warmth and composure as he had when I first came into the store - as I raced off to the wedding, on time.
I will be back - there is no question. :) Thanks Rodolfo. -
Review from Katherine L.
Somerville, MA
7/9/2011
I echo so much of all the great reviews about Artistic Framing thus far!
Rodolfo is a highly experienced framer and has a keen eye for both quality and design. For a complete framing novice, these guys were extremely patient, offered great suggestions and transformed a friend's painting into an even classier work of art!
I would definitely recommend Artistic Picture Framing. They do good work at a reasonable price, and have the skills to back it up. -
Review from Carlos C.
San Francisco, CA
9/23/2010
I have been getting my art works, paintings, photos and other original art prints framed by Rodolfo for more than 10 years. He has an excellent eye for the artistic design of the frames and they are all certainly museum quality works. I have over 30 frames that he has done for my art collection and they are all outstanding and enhance the beauty of my original art works.
If you are interested in the best quality and excellence, then go see Rodolfo. His work is worth what you pay. I have complete satisfaction and do not hesitate but to give him the highest of recommendations. -
Review from Jonathan B.
Berkeley, CA
1/8/2010
Went yesterday, after reading the other Yelp reviews, to frame a poster we had picked up on a trip to Mexico City.
The framing shop had a pretty limited supply of frames -- only a few shades of each color -- and the prices were very expensive. The owner explained that they only do frames with "conservation glass," and it was going to cost upwards of $200 to frame our small poster.
I'll definitely be checking out some other shops, since I've had a few posters framed before, and never paid more than about $100.Comment from Rodolfo O. of Artistic Expert Picture Framing 2/5/2010
Artistic Expert Framing specializes in archival framing.… More » -
Review from Dan C.
Oakland, CA
2/14/2009
Rudolfo is a great guy and a super framer. He is warm and friendly, but he is also a thorough-going professional. He has a great eye for colors and textures and a very considered approach to suggesting mats and frames. I had a few prints I wanted framed and he spent a lot of time with me to decide how to do it. It was actually a lot of fun, a real adventure, with no pressure to spend, just an appreciation of the pieces and great advice on how to best accent them.
I've taken more prints to him since then, with the same great experience. I also like how he interacts with other customers and passers-by on busy Shattuck--he really has an appreciation for people. But back on the focus of what he does, he brings full consideration to that and I've gained an appreciation of how good his materials and craft is. He would be my first choice for framing a special piece every time! -
Review from Debbie K.
Oakland, CA
6/16/2009
Recommended to me by Bianca K., Rudolpho does amazing framing at a great price. After severe sticker shock at some of the quotes provided by other Berkeley framers, Rudolpho gave me a very reasonable quote.
I should also add, if he makes a framing recommendation you're not too sure of, just trust the guy. He suggested a frame that I would never have thought of myself in a million years (a pink copper!), and sure enough, the print looks amazing. -
Review from Glo P.
San Francisco, CA
2/21/2009
As promised I am rating on the following three things. Location, people and food. So here's the scoop.
Location - Great! One block from the University of Berkeley, two blocks to
Berkeley Bart.
People - Rudolfo is a Master framer! His years of framing experience, artistic eye, and endearing personality are only a few reasons he has framed over 9 pieces of art and photography for me. It is almost impossible to walk away not thinking you have made a new friend, he is such a wonderful individual. He also assists a lot of local and national artists with their framing needs, which really impressed me. No matter how small or large of a job you will always get the same superb service, consistently. Rudolfo is a consummate "Master Framer", anyone choosing to use him will not be disappointed.
Edible Stuff - Lot's of great places to eat within blocks. Indian, Sushi, Thai, Coffee shops, etc.. -
Review from Paul W.
San Francisco, CA
11/3/2009
I found this place thanks to Yelp via http://www.yelp.com/us... who recommended a "great framer in Berkeley" whose name I quickly forgot. Yelp, so I thought, delivered, but in the end it turns out I ID'd the wrong framer. Boy was I glad I picked the "wrong" one...Artistic Expert Picture Framing was a great find! It's a bit out of my way, but worth the trip. I've brought several items here for framing and every time, I leave happy.
I'm no framing expert by any means, and because of that I need a framer who's got a good eye and flair for taking me beyond just a black frame. Rudopho takes a look at everything I bring in, asks me where I'm thinking of putting it, thinks, and comes up with an "out there" suggestion and a conservative suggestion. More often than not, his out there suggestion is spot on and the end result looks amazing.
In all honesty, what I get framed costs considerably less that what it costs to get framed, but the framing I get done adds significant aesthetic value to what I bring in to Artistic Expert Picture Framing.
I won't even think of going somewhere else -
Review from David W.
Oakland, CA
3/8/2010
Rudolpho is very welcoming. Great customer service. Good selection.
Brought some stuff in over the holidays in a bit of a time crunch. Some of the materials I selected needed to be ordered and they ended up arriving late. Rudolpho worked late to meet my deadline.
I didn't give him any margin for error w/ my images and was excited to see him pull everything off so cleanly. He also has a good working knowledge of all the best ways for archival framing. -
Review from Heliomar S.
Oakland, CA
2/11/2010
Best frame shop in Berkeley, CA
One Stop is wonderful. I checked out a number of other framing shops in Berkeley before picking them. Rodolfo is incredibly attentive to detail and very committed to producing the best result. It's the most beautiful frame work I've ever had done. And their prices are excellent. I'll go back for anything I need framed. Highly recommended. -
Review from Melisa L.
Berkeley, CA
6/20/2010
Rodolfo and Paloma are incredible! They did an impeccable job framing and hanging several posters for me :)
-
Review from Yvonne H.
Walnut Creek, CA
9/9/2010
Rodolfo is a genius at picture framing. His use of color, texture and framing materials transformed my art. My husband and I were so pleased with his work, we had him do a picture framing assessment of the art in our home and he framed or refrained most of our art. His framing transformed our home. I recommend Rodolfo to all my friends!
Rodolfo has also performed work for my church. We wanted the best.
The name of the shop "Artistic Expert Picture Framing" describes Rodolfo's talents perfectly! -
Review from Monica C.
Brentwood, CA
5/9/2009
I was amazed at how Rodolfo transofrmed our paintings into works of art! He doesn't just add any old frame to your paintings, he takes your room decor/colors into consideration and designs a frame that truly enhances your art. He's also framed our family portrait.....I didn't think my baby could get any better looking ;-)
-
Review from Jacira P.
Denver, CO
2/1/2009
Rodolfo is one of the nicest guys you will ever do business with!
-
Review from roikoe r.
Berkeley, CA
7/16/2009
Rodolpho is the best. Beyond courteous, he's downright friendly. He has an artist's eye and a craftsman skill. If he says something is going to be ready overnight, it's ready overnight. I won't take my frameable art anywhere else. Parking is a cinch out in front of the store and because he's downtown you can run other errands while you're there.
-
Review from Mickrod S.
Staten Island, NY
11/17/2009
this guy knows his stuff!
