Hako-Oja Studio
#5, 1206 - 14 St. T9W 1E8 Wainwright, AB, Canada

When you support a small business, you're supporting a dream. : My Framing Store, Inc. #TruVueSupports #IAmSmallBusiness #ShopSmall #ShopLocal

There’s still time for Christmas framing. OPEN Mondays 11-6 and Tuesdays 9-1.

Happy independence day Finland.

Our beautiful clock is available at Hako-Oja Studio. Be the only one to own this original watercolour framed painting. Or gift a print or fridge magnet to someone on your list.

A great honour. With thundering bangs that rattle the gallery walls, and many framed pieces listing to their preferable sides, I stood, constructing this piece with honour, while our military perform training exercises just a few kilometres away. It was only fitting to have such a background as I worked.

For artists!! Titling artwork is just as important as the art itself.

I have been really getting into my frames these days. Another huge shadow box In the works.

Mamma Mia!! Look at that!

Now for the construction. This shadow box is constructed of a four frame stack. The chosen design was the white top frame with a pink inside frame as its accent. In order to achieve the needed depth, I added two more frames from the same line, laid them on their side, and cut the desired size so they all fit into each other. Glue and brads hold this baby together beautifully.

With all the bling aside, its time for the heart of the matter. The Donna show poster, although a key part, stood out so prominently that we needed to tone it down in order to allow for the most important part to take the stage. One way of doing that was to shrink it. Usually we will scan and reprint, but in this case, our local printer (Bison Printing) who printed the originals, printed us a smaller version. It was then treated like a poster and mounted using simple littl...e tacks. For the most important part, as in most shadow box stories, is the focal point photograph. Photos say a lot and deserve the effort to make them pop. This photo was originally just a 5x7 photo. After some research, we found the photographer (Roger Holmes) and requested the file to print to our desired size. The photo was then framed alone in its own tiny frame before mounting to the background, nearly completing the story in this shadow box. Stay tuned for the final reveal of this famous local story. See more

More bling was added to the disco. Like the disco ball, these pieces are slightly sink mounted to assist with the effects of gravity and then spot sewn for additional support. Keep checking back for the next steps.

Preparing for the disco here at the shop. In order to hang this ball like its meant to be, I needed to build up the bottom because it came flat. So I got crafty and cut up tiny pieces of mirror and continued its pattern. Keep following for a step by step shadow box performance.

Excellent deal, excellent cause, excellent photography, excellent human.

So far behind in my posts. Its difficult to keep you up to date with projects because not all projects can be recorded, especially before the customer sees it. So heres another filler....Recently I had the pleasure of celebrating the birthday of one of my industrys hidden gems.....Kee Wong (Kamena Gallery). Top names like Robert Bray Portrait Design, Gord Scade Photography, Dale MacMillan (photographer), Ting Wong of Kamena, Wei Wong of W2 Gallery and Vestate Moulding and many friends including myself and Franz of Hako-Oja, all gathered for a day of golf. With the world in ruins, it was awesome to have a tiny conference of sorts. Some of the best Alberta picture framers, artists, and photographers, all together.

This was me on Sunday as my week in Wainwright approached. Happy to announce that Im back on schedule with my deadlines.

This is why I stay bendy. You never know when some serious underhanded surgery is needed on a shadow box.

The Jeep, aka, my other OPEN sign is hiding from the sun because it reads nasty in the front. But were OPEN today until 1:00.

This is truly what happens at Hako-Oja. The design counter can introduce and surface so many memories for both you and me. I love getting immersed in your story.

An adorable, plush pumpkin patch has arrived here in store! With 30 to choose from, there's bound to be the perfect one for you! Prices range from $10 - $38.

Mina is high. She was into the fresh catnip in the garden and then decided to show us her moves at the patio table. This is her holiday Monday.

Mina enjoying some fresh nip on her day off.

Ugh!! Good thing its a long weekend and no where to be. Newby (the Jeep) is in the hospital with a pricey fuel pump problem. She will be good to go in time for my return to Wainwright. Good thing she only left us stranded a couple blocks from home.

Had the pleasure to play golf with one of Wainwrights leading entrepreneurs while in the beautiful Shuswap recently. Mr. Blair Pizzey of DognSuds, Wainwright Bowling Lanes, and Booster Juice, and also happens to be one of my favourite long time customers and a super human being.

Goalie turned outfielder, Expos, Larry Walker collection framed with a hand-cut, pin-striped mat within a rustic blue wood frame. All items are mounted archivally and reversible.

Yard work at the shop keeps the framing inspiration fresh.

Get your stripes on with a jersey frame. Edmonton is a host city.

WE ACCEPT CASH. You should too.

A sentimental piece I delivered to Vancouver recently. The customer finished the shadow box himself with the remaining items.

Havent posted in a while. Got busy, both on the home front and the shop. Im squeaking in this post to share this super adorable cross stitch set. They just make me smile every time I see them. Im glad I got a photo, after framing them for a very special client, so I can always look back and smile.

Sending our best to these Consort teachers in their future adventures. It was an honour to frame your gifts.

Did you know that you dont need an appointment to design your framing with us? But you can if you want to, during our business hours. In these weird times, some of you have adopted the appointment way of doing things and that is okay. We also do consults by email, message, or phone anytime during the week. The shop business hours are Mondays 11-6 and Tuesdays 9-1.

Tractor research for my next tractor drawing. I guess a road ride with a friend isnt quite necessary but its sure fun. Filming got a little smoother after I got more comfortable with my handle options. It may be next to impossible from the footage but can you guess the John Deere?

Oh how I wish....maybe before the second wave hits???

Im happy to announce that starting this week, all my suppliers are back at it. I am able to get all your favourite styles of frame moulding into the shop again. Along with all the non-essential businesses, such as Hako-Oja that had to close during the chaos, so did many suppliers and distributors that supply small businesses. Whats your favourite style?

Meet Opie. The worlds tiniest service dog, is of the cool in this red hoodie. Captured his coolness using coloured pencil on conservation grade mat board.

Thank you to those who made my shop re-opening a success with bringing in your treasures for framing. It was super nice to be here again. See you next week!! Business hours: Mondays 11-6 and Tuesdays 9-1. My lilacs smell so good!

Opening in 2 hours!!!Mina is a little crowded with the moulding over her couch. The best part is that I have my driver so I can relax.

Minas home life.......

Picked up some framing supplies today. About 80 feet of frame moulding is in there plus sheets of mat board. Love that the Jeep can carry over 10 foot sticks with the windows closed for the commute. Preparing for the re-opening of the shop on June 1st. So exciting!!

Remember, we are re-opening on June 1st.