Without frames, the works of Picasso and Rembrandt would be held up by thumbtacks, staples, and the expensively hired tentacles of a giant squid. Entrap art easily with today’s Groupon: for $35, you get $70 worth of custom-framing services at the frugal framer, good at both the Ashville and Arden stores.

The quadrilateral connoisseurs at the frugal framer perform all production in-house to ensure that posters, memorabilia, and artwork are encased in the finest shells. The skilled craftspeople specialize in custom framing, a process in which they design, size, and construct picture cocoons based on the dimensions, characteristics, and food allergies of the artwork. Customers have their choice of frames ($5+/ft.), mats, glazing, and moulding material. Box experts can forge a standard 8”x10” frame with matting for laundry folding certificates ($40 on average), or construct a 16”x20” edifice with a wooden frame, mat, backing, and regular glazing for prized post-it note ideas ($80 average). The frugal framer will also equip a 26”x34” piece of art, raised and floated on a rag mat with spacers ($300 average), or enshrine pieces in specialty casings such as shadow boxes with UV-blocking glass.