Heatherly Takeuchi, a photographer, said she went into Country
Rose Gallery and Frame a year and a half ago looking for supplies
and walked out with a job. She now manages the shop for owners Pam
and Ty Holmquist, who started the Country Rose out as a gallery 10
years ago.
”
They changed it to kind of a gallery and a custom framing
shop,
”
she said.
Ty added the frame shop so that he could frame his wife’s
watercolor paintings.
Heatherly Takeuchi, a photographer, said she went into Country Rose Gallery and Frame a year and a half ago looking for supplies and walked out with a job. She now manages the shop for owners Pam and Ty Holmquist, who started the Country Rose out as a gallery 10 years ago.
“They changed it to kind of a gallery and a custom framing shop,” she said.
Ty added the frame shop so that he could frame his wife’s watercolor paintings.
“Artists would come in and expressed a need for supplies,” Takeuchi said.
The shop is now equal parts framing shop and art supplies. More recently it has also become a space for art lessons. Three teachers offer lessons in the shop on watercolors, charcoal and oil.
“We have construction paper, but definitely have top-notch art supplies,” she said.
The shop has a new gallery in front that has been repainted and new carpet has been installed. But the supplies and framing are the main draws for customers.
Takeuchi said the supplies range from student grade to artist grade to professional grade acrylic, oils, watercolors and anything in between. She said many of the art teachers come into the store for supplies and recommend it to their students. Students get a 10 percent discount on their supplies “whether they are from Sunnyslope or Gavilan College or San Jose State.”
When artists come in looking for a supply they don’t carry, Takeuchi looks into getting it.
“Like any retail, one thing will be customer service and we always try to make sure that we can never say no,” Takeuchi said. “We always find what people want or figure out how to do it or steer them in the direction that is right for them.”
Her favorite part of the job is helping people pick the right frame and mat board for their projects, Takeuchi said. When working with a client, she takes into account their budget.
“There are economical ways of doing things and elaborate ways,” she said. “That’s the point of custom. The other thing is making sure the art is preserved. You want to display it, but you also want to protect it from sun damage or dirt or being crumpled.
“Keep in mind color. You want frames and mats that are going to add to the art, not detract from it.”
The busiest times for framing are the winter holidays, graduation and wedding season.
“Christmas is always a good time to do family portraits or mementos,” she said. “We can do small frames or shadowboxes.”
Takeuchi said one of the most unique items she framed was an American flag for a serviceman’s family. He died in Afghanistan.
“It had been folded up and stuck in the flack jacket of his comrades for two months, and they sent it home,” she said. “We framed it.”
