Hilary Sutcliffe, owner of Frames on Wheels knows her craft and her clients, and it shows. During our conversation, I felt her full presence and engagement, which is what you want when you are temporarily surrendering a piece of work that is important to you. I got the impression that once you bring your valued item to her shop, you can rest easy that it is in very good hands.
KATY SPARKS
Hi Hilary, tell me how the framing business is doing these days when so many people might be buying frames and matting online and doing the job themselves?
HILARY SUTCLIFFE
I think most people who are serious about their framing are not doing it online. And you get what you pay for—if you want it done right, you go to your local framer. You want your work treated with respect and you want options of different types of glass and materials. Online, you only get plexiglass.
SPARKS
Have there been advances in the quality of glass, so it doesn’t give so much glare or reflectivity?
SUTCLIFFE
There is museum glass that is clearer and enhances the colors in your art. It is getting to be standard. Plexi is chosen in places where the art is in public spaces, and it needs to be shatterproof or for large pieces that need to be shipped—it is much lighter weight than glass. I don’t like to handle glass “big”—it’s dangerous!
SPARKS
What about the current administration’s tariffs and potential trade wars? How is that impacting where you source your frames?
SUTCLIFFE
Most of our frames are made in Italy or come from Canada, but I do have quite a few American lines that at this moment are cheaper than the imports. That is a new thing because we have these American hardwoods that historically have been very expensive, but now the imports have surpassed them in cost.
SPARKS
How did you come to own a frame shop in Great Barrington?
SUTCLIFFE
I grew up outside of Boston but was living in San Francisco when my dad called (about 23 years ago) and asked me if I wanted a job. He had just purchased the business from the original owner, Sarah Fogerty. Now I run the shop myself and have a good team with me. It’s a very cool job because there are so many ways you can frame a piece, and the outcome depends on the designer you are talking to and the framer you are working with. Someone might come into the shop and say, “I want a black frame,” but I might ask, “what if you try this color?” and they are grateful for the suggestion and the work comes out completely differently.
SPARKS
How has your location around the bend on Railroad Street been for business?
SUTCLIFFE
It’s been great—we’ve been busier than ever. I don’t know why, but it’s working really well, and people are coming back. I love this spot—it’s perfect with a big picture window giving tons of light. And we have parking, which is a big one. We don’t need foot traffic due to our type of clientele (mostly designers), yet people can still find us easily.
SPARKS
And you just started taking BerkShares—why is that?
SUTCLIFFE
We did take them years ago when we first bought the business, and it was challenging because certain banks weren’t taking them and my dad decided it was just too much to manage. But I’ve always loved the idea, and when Susan Witt stopped in and asked me to try again, I said yes. It’s a cool program, and I always thought it was, so I’m going to give it another shot.
SPARKS
Where do you plan to spend them in the local economy?
SUTCLIFFE
I think I’m going to spend them at Ward’s Nursery. It’s getting to be that time of year when I’ll be there a lot!
