Sticks

Sticks is a very superior shop! I’ve had at least a dozen frames (a house fire forced me to reframe manny fine art prints) made here and all are beautiful and very finely made and matted. Framing is always expensive so get the best and these are the best.

This shop deserves 5 stars, although they are low key they are extremely talented and know their craft. You won’t understand how good they are until you try another framer and find out you’ve paid more and the job isn’t «just right». I go in there now and just roll with their suggestions– they will always ask you any important choices where there are 2 good ways to do something. Enjoy them, they’re great.

Don’t trust your art to a chain store. Steve and company @ Sticks do the job right at a fair price. Exceptional workmanship. I’ve had many of my pieced framed here and have never been disappointed.

As a fine art photographer who by her own admission is a perfectionist, I have been using Sticks’ services since 2009. I rarely write reviews, but felt compelled to do so in this case, as I think Sticks is a really wonderful resource. I have been especially impressed and graced by the expertise of Myong Stebbins, an artist herself and a long-​time Sticks employee who recently took over the business. Myong takes notable ownership of the work she does; I have the utmost confidence in her abilities. As well, I invariably leave Sticks knowing something I hadn’t, as Myong gently offers very useful advice. A while back, I checked out other local framers, simply to use as a basis for comparison, but in so doing realized I had already found the best.

I have been taking work to frame at Sticks since 1998. Over the years, this adds up to dozens and dozens of projects. These framers are extremely professional, they have a lot of experience (it shows), and they can tackle anything, such as build frames for oversized or finicky objects, not just 2d art. The friendly folks are not only experts in terms of framing techniques, but they also have an expert eye when it comes to suggesting frames. (They have an astonishing abundance of frames to choose from.) Importantly, they take every project seriously, whether it’s my daughter’s second grade drawing or an original Chagall, and it won’t cost you an arm and a leg. Sticks may be sandwiched between the quirky Bone Room and a petite fancy food joint, but this seemingly modest frame shop is one of the best-​kept secrets in the Bay Area.

Sticks has a great selection of really nice and unusual frames to choose from. Also, the customer service is stellar. The staff are friendly and appreciate the local business.

I’m a big fan of Sticks. I’ve had two things framed here and dropped off three more this weekend. I’ve worked with the owner and another person and they were both great. I like that they do a fantastic job but aren’t crazy expensive. They are more than happy to share their opinions and show you lots of matte and frame options but let you make the final decision.
Over the years I’ve worked with several framers and Sticks is my favorite!

Does anyone get things framed anymore? Yes, there are a few things like special photographs, art, ketubahs, etc. that require escape from a jpeg file and onto a special place on the wall and in my heart. Sticks is one of the better places to make the right frame and mat decision. Such artistic combinations aren’t always cheap, but considering the resulting quality and imagination, it’s all a great value.

I have had 4 items framed by them. Myong Stebbins gives great advice on frames and mats, is very patient, and does a great job. I find the prices reasonable. The quality is excellent. Hiighly recommended

They’re really wonderful framers. They’ve spent a lot of time with me, helping me make the pieces really shine. Great quality and imagination.

We always go here to have our art framed before shipping to a show. Everyone is so nice and helpful and always take as much time as i need to find the right matte or frame.

Sticks is not cheap, but they do a great job of framing your most prized art, photographs, and anything you deem worthy of framing. We had several Thangka paintings framed (Tibetan buddhist paintings), as well as a write up of our wedding in a magazine. Each was done exquisitely (with UV plexi-​glass) and the owner will give you great suggestions and advice. He really knows what he’s doing and when you get your piece, you will have no regrets. Sure, you’ll pay several hundred for each frame, but it’s worth every cent b/​c you know your framed piece will last for years to come!

I’ve been impressed by the overall custom quality and level of service provided by the owner-​operated Sticks. Excellent prices and consulting services … they don’t make fun of my art and do a good job of keeping me within my budget. Far cry from the crappy/​mass-​market service and poor consulting/​matting/​framing offered by the chains. Even better, Sticks is conveniently located a storefront down on Salano Avenue in Berkeley from the UPS store … perfect for a single trip of p/​u and ship. My only complaint is that they aren’t open on Sundays and as far as I know, do not have a website.