Before framing, memorable photos maintained their timeliness by being buried in time capsules, suspended in pickling jars, and sheltered ruthlessly by young-at-heart fitness instructors. Explore simpler memory preservation with today’s Groupon: for $35, you get $70 worth of custom or do-it-yourself picture framing project services at Framers’ Workshop in Brookline.

Framers’ Workshop stands as one of the few surviving storefronts to empower clients with do-it-yourself framing. Equipped with 10 workstations and experienced staff support, both novice and seasoned preservationists are free to cut their own corners to customize the display of cherished relics or childhood windowpanes. Encapsulating a 16”x20” photo begins by choosing a frame, such as wood or metal ($26.87). Add a 2.5-inch mat ($16.17) and acid-free backing ($7.25), which, unlike acid-washed denim, comfortably supports subjects without ensuing fashion controversies. Protect portraits with a clear, glass casing ($14.32), resulting in a self-actualized piece of art that holds as much merit as the vision within ($64.61 total if you do it yourself, $106.61 for custom). A $3 shop fee gives customers access to worktables and staff guidance, and the ability to flex their creative muscles without constrictive gym shorts. Set aside roughly 45–90 minutes to add a more personal stamp to an already treasured piece of visual splendor.

Clients are also free to entrust the skilled staff of Framers' Workshop to perform in-store, customized casings for images, textiles, artifacts, or Ray Liotta’s Field of Dreams uniform. Custom labor charges range from $30–$50 per piece, in addition to materials.