Frames Unlimited celebrates 30th anniversary

Libby's Frames Unlimited is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year.

In 1993, Devi McCully bought the store from a married couple who had run two businesses out of the one location. The wife did sewing work and a few other things and her husband had a gun shop in the other half. The combination may not have been typical but the couple seemed to make it work while they could.

When the lot and building was for sale, McCully saw a possible opportunity for her family.

Right around the time she purchased the building and started her business, the vermiculite mine that helped fuel the town shut down. In 2002 Stimson's lumber mill shut down as well.

When asked how she has kept the business going through all of the tough times during 30 years being a small mom and pop styled shop she says, “I don’t know, honestly it was so long ago, I don’t know, I just kept up with the times and what was current," McCully said. "But most importantly the local community kept me going by coming in, staying loyal customers and supporting the business.”

McCully has always tried to stay in a positive attitude through it all and she only wants to spread positivity to those around her.

Her Frames Unlimited business includes all picture framing services starting with simple mat or poster mountings all the way up to shadowbox precious keepsakes. These tasks are performed on-site with her state of the art framing equipment that utilizes a computerized mat cutter.

With the framing and matting services she also includes glazing work framing. She keeps a vast selection of either glass or acrylic more well known as plexiglass for her glazes and both selections are kept well stocked. Glass and plexiglass are relatively used for the same mediums showcasing, preserving posters and art work of a larger scaled size.

When it comes to choosing which one to use it comes down to budget and personal taste. Plexiglass is lighter in weight and in some ways stronger than glass if a piece of artwork is being shipped or traveling somewhere it is better off to use a plexiglass because it does not shatter like cut glass will.

Cut glass is more fragile in some ways than acrylic but acrylic scratches terribly where glass is more durable to heat and scratches. McCully offers both acrylic and glass glazing with a variety of options behind them as far as UV-filtered, non-glare, UV-non-glare, reflection control glass and more.

Aside from customized frames another big income for the business over the last 15 years is her custom engraving services she offers paired with a wide selection of merchandise including cups, mugs, small predone frames, pot holders and aprons.

McCully is a firm believer that the locals of the town has kept her business alive for all these years, that along with her eye for what is in style through the times.

To help invest back into her community, McCully offers a wide selection of art prints, quirky greeting cards and unique gifts, some of which is made by local artisans. While most things are made locally, McCully says there are only a few things she will occasionally get for the store that are not local or made in-house.

The merchandise is great for holiday, birthday present ideas or just an every day splurge, this along with the custom frame work helps her stay on top of the market with the store hitting the 30-year anniversary.

McCully juggles many rolls in life with being a business owner. She's a mother, grandmother and a aerobics instructor for the past 20 years along with her business. She also occasionally dabbles in the quilting community here as well.

She is a firm believer of investing in your town and in return your town will invest in you, being one of the staple businesses of this town she makes sure to stick with her beliefs.

You can find her shop at 305 California Ave. in Libby. She also has information about her services online at www.framesunlimited406.com/.