where to buy pics?
 

I feel a bit out of sorts since we moved here. You see I knew where to buy things and get good deals.

Where does one buy art/pictures for the wall. I am changing to Florida Decor and can't seem to find that Store where the prices are right and the style is right.

Also has anyone explored much beyond our borders? I have been to The Millenia Mall and liked the Macy's but the other stores were out of my price range. The Ocala mall seems too small and the outdoor shopping plaza doesn't have Macy's.

What I am saying is that I am a bit worried about safety in Orlando and don't know where to stay away from. It seems we pass malls while on the way to locations but I am not sure if they are safe or good malls.

Also please take this with a grain of salt....I am not complaining about being here....just trying to get adjusted ....that is all.

For Florida style pictures go to Bealls. There is one on 441 between Lowes and Walmart and another just north of 466, turn right just after Olive Garden. The pictures are in the back of the store, the prices will look high, but they have a discount price chart on the wall. They also have a lot of Florida type accessories.

For Malls, in Orlando the Florida Mall is more in line with prices, but it's very busy. It's maybe five miles further than Millenia Mall. The neighborhood is probably not even better, it's off the Airport Exit on Orange Blossom Trail, which is 441.

We prefer to go to Gainesville, to Oaks Mall. It's the same distance as Florida Mall but in the opposite direction. It's a college town and most of the people are Floridians or students from parts in Florida and very few tourist or foreigners. They have 5 anchors stores and is almost as big as Florida Mall, but does lack in the food court. Take I-75 north to the third Gainesville Exit, Newberry Road. Go east a couple of blocks and it's on the right.

Try Marion Market. Cheap and you can get framing on the spot.

Photography Club
 

The Photography Club here in The Villages displays their pictures. When I was there I remarked that someone could decorate an entire home with the pictures on display, (and you'll meet the person responsible for the beautiful pictures).

Pier one, Kirklands, TJMaxx, Bealls Outlet, and Bed Bath and Beyond? Been there?

Hmm, depending on your price range, I am an acrylic artist and have some pieces for sale.

Don't worry. We'll find some pictures for you.

The website I am sharing here can help you to make your Florida décor unique. It is fun to look through. And it seems like there is always a promo code. I have bought several things from them over the years.

When you open this link, be prepared to be dazzled. Well, maybe overwhelmed is more like it But please don’t scream and run away.

Just type the word Florida into the search box. There! Now you have 7759 pictures to choose from.

Wait! It’s going to be OK. Now, go to the left side of the page where it says Narrow Results and scroll waaaaaay down the list of things to narrow by and there you will find price.

(Oh #%@&!, while I was following my own directions, I typed in less than 25 dollars and I found a print of a vintage postcard of Florida. $24.99. Hmmm, that might look good in my guest bathroom. . . perhaps a little Freudian, but maybe.)

Uh. . .ok. . .You can narrow the results with things besides price, too. They are all there on the left-side list.

That’s a good thing because if you type the word flamingo into the search line, you will get 855 hits; palm trees, 5958 hits. Or let’s say by this point you are thinking about your wine rack and so you type in wine. That will give you 7578 hits. Thank goodness for the ability to narrow those results. (and at the top of the list, don't miss the clear all so you can start all over.)

Something else I have seen people do here with décor (me, too) is to find a picture of something from your hometown or state or favorite place. Just put it in that search box and away you go.

If you find some things you like, then all you have to do is find some frames.

Anyway, ss, I know you have heard to be careful what you wish for. When I get on art.com, time goes bye-bye. Consider yourself warned. I am going to let the genie out of the bottle. :boom:

http://www.art.com/

You are an excellent artist.

All Posters.com is a great source of all kinds of art. I know, it's hard to move and not know where to shop but in time you will be expert. BTW there is and arts and crafts festival at LSL tomorrow. Also I love International Plaza Mall in Tampa.

Picture you on main st in Spanish Springs has a huge selection and a big sale this week only (annual sale). Also register for the drawing for a $500 shopping spree while you are there. This is a strange store. They carry art and jewelry. Eclectic to say the least!

We checked out Picture You last year. They had a sign outside that said something like "25% off Everyday Low Prices."
Sounded ok. We found a picture that was marked something like (I forget the exact numbers) $200 original / $150. All their picture prices are pre-marked like that and we knew that the $150 is the actual "Everyday Price." Well, it turns out that the price of that item was still $150. No 25% off of the "Everyday Low Price." They actually said the $150 represented the sale price... and $200 was the everyday price. The picture was nice... but
not the sale they advertised.
We got a nice picture at Bealls.

Wow!
 

Wanda, you are one talented lady! Your work is simply beautiful!

Thank you both for the compliments. I can not wait to start taking classes in TV. The more I learn the more I know I need to learn. It is a lifelong process.

SS - Don't overlook the weekly garage/yard/estate sales throughout the villages. Folks frequently change their décor and offer lots of framed and unframed art at such sales. A group of us often goes 'sailing' even if/when we're not looking for something special - we find it's a great way to meet Villagers - and someone often finds something they didn't think they 'needed'! ;)

And then you have the local thrift and consignment stores. Lots of 'Mom & Dads stuff' winds up in those places when the 'kids' decide they don't want it! I took the liberty of doing internet searches for you on both types of dealers in our local zip codes:
thrift store 32162 - Bing

thrift store 32159 - Bing

consignment store 32162 - Bing

consignment store 32159 - Bing

Hope that helps! :)

Many thanks, much appreciated
 

All helpful thanks!!!!

Wanda, you are a talented artist for sure ....need to think about what I want.

Yep been to Bealls, Kohls, Pier One etc. Still searching.

Thanks for mall ideas....good to know.

I have not found what I want in the thrift stores....have checked many out but I am pick, I know!!!

I have been to Kings Gallery but will check out Picture You also...They are not the same store???right????

Laurie, I will check out that websight....thanks....I have gotten lost looking at websights already and that is why I appealed to all you helpful folks.

I also agree about the photography club but I was more interested in paintings this time ....at least I think that is what I want lol!!!

Plan on finally hitting Marion Markets sometime soon ....between company coming that is.....hahahaha

You all are very helpful and will also check out the Florida and Gainsville malls.

BTW I have been here 5 months, visitted many many times and am still enamored with the place!!!!

If you have other ideas.....I will welcome them....I am also checking out Ruth Dyers Finishing Touch shop....pricey but oh sooooo nice!!!

I just thought of another place.

I have seen some wonderful paintings on display at the Sumter County Villages Annex on 466, and some of them were for sale.

(That's the place with the offices for taxes, etc. and where the plant clinics are held.)

But I do not know if there are always paintings there. I have been in that building only 3 or 4 times. I might be sending you on a wild goose chase because the last time I was in the annex was November to pay taxes.

I hope somebody here knows if there is always that little gallery in the hallway of the annex.

Also be on the alert for the art shows that feature the works of Villages' artists. There was just one at Laurel Manor a week ago.

Again you all are the best!!!!
 

I am keeping all of this in mind!!!

I did go to Picture You and think this will be a place I frequently visit, although I didn not find what I am looking for this time....(I have difficult colors in my great room) but found many many pics there that I did like.

I also have penciled in the art show that is coming in March and went to the one on Saturday.

Gee I hope others can benefit from these suggestions also.

Thanks so very much.

You're welcome, ss,

When you find your pictures, then comes the hanging-up part.

The article I am linking here is from houzz.com and is titled "6 Easy Ways to Skillfully Hang Your Art."

This article has some pictures which might give you some ideas, especially if you are considering doing groupings. I had to laugh though because one of the pictures is of frames, all sprayed with gold paint, but with no pictures in them. -- I hope you are not to that point yet. I know you are going to find the perfect pictures for you. But nest-feathering sure can take a while sometimes. Carry on.

Here's the link:

6 Easy Ways to Skillfully Hang Your Art

For a mall, you might want to consider The Shops at Wiregrass, just north of Tampa (about an hour ride on I 75).

Here is a link: The Shops at Wiregrass :: 28211 Paseo Drive, Suite 100, Wesley Chapel, FL. 33543 :: 813-994-2242

A new huge outlet mall near there is supposed to open in October.

Try The Art And Photography Shows Here In The Villages
 

As a photographer myself and a regular attendee at the frequent art and photography shows here in The Villages, I can confidently say that you can buy superior art or photography to decorate your home at much lower prices than at local retail stores by simply attending shows sponsored by our local clubs. Both photography clubs have annual "expos" and the art clubs--The Villages Art Association and The Villages Art League--sponsor several art shows and "art on the square" shows throughout the year.

Kahuna is correct, there are excellent works of art for sale at the art shows. There are also two Florida artists I've run across that display their works on line: Tripp Harrison and Lee Young Fine Art. Just google them. Has anyone run across any others?

Wanda your paintings are beautiful!

I saw something in today's paper that made me think of this nice thread from a few weeks ago. The OP might have her pictures by now. But I thought I would pass along this information for anybody who might like this kind of stuff -- like I do.

The Leesburg Art Festival is this weekend, Saturday and Sunday, March 14 and 15, 10:00 - 5:00.

Looks promising. But I bet it will be really crowded. Could be worth it though.

Anyway, here's a link to the website:

Leesburg Center For the Arts, Leesburg, Florida

Hi, Welcome new villager,

My husband and I moved into our new Poinciana Village home in 2006. We gave away, sold and donated every bit of furniture we enjoyed and owned over a forty year period. We discovered early in our marriage, we liked quality instead of fad and of course, credit cards did not exist for us nor would we want to begin or maintain our lives by using plastic. Patience and sacrifice was our way of building and maintaining our home style. I'd say we were pretty average for our generation. It was so much fun to get together with family and friends on a budget and remained our life style for years until moved to the Villages. In the Villages, we were spending money at breakneck speed to purchase furniture, accessories, necessities and entertainment including a new vehicle and reducing our vehicle needs to one automobile.

Sometimes I wish the twenty year olds that we were carried into our first taste of retirement lifestyle. We had to live and learn then and we should have been wiser now if we paused to realize we are not looking for needs to accommodate forty plus of marriage, child rearing, and family/friends entertainment.

Part of the problem of building our home in the Villages was the neverending treks to Alto Monte Springs, Orlando, Ocala, Leesburg, etc. The only suggestion I have is stay within your comfort zone and let the person that is you shine no matter what your home furniture lifestyle maybe. If you have not attended a Villages Art show (talented residents/varied styles, mediums, and prices to meet most any buyers needs) welcome and good luck!

This thread is a couple of months old, but a lot of the information herein can be helpful on a continuing basis. There are always Villagers feathering their nests.

I just wanted to say that today art.com has 45 percent off as their website code. They usually do that version of marketing that involves creating a sense of urgency. There is often some sort of a percentage off code. But this is the best one I have seen.

I will warn you, as I did in an earlier post in this thread, that art.com can be overwhelming but the site does try to help the customer categorize choices. And the search line will surprise you with what it can search. Type in a specific subject like horses or Florida or 4 seasons or whatever you like and it just might find it.

My sister-in-law told me about art.com years ago. She had painted her guest bath with some paint she got on a deal from the mistake shelf at the paint store. She thought the color would look good with a picture of her favorite flower. She typed it in and Voila!

And forever after, I have been using the site, through 3 houses.

Going-Broke-Buying-Frames Laurie

A website called Great Big Canvas was recommended to me by a local decorator, Katie Green. I just ordered a pic that comes in 3 segments of a favorite place in Ireland. It's a canvas wrapped pic so no frame although they have framed pictures. You can also do a search on their site for anything beachy, Florida, birds, sunsets, whatever you are looking for.

They also have nice pictures at Rustic Rose in Brownwood.

Good lookin stuff.
:spoken:

Try kirklands