By Lily Grace Brauninger
From 28 years as an employee to becoming a first-time business owner, Framing Arts of Healdsburg’s Christina Molina is proud to represent Healdsburg’s longest standing frame shop. Molina, a Healdsburg native, began working at Framing Arts at the age of 17, while still an HHS student. She began as a part-time employee and originally took the job due to her interest in art; however, over time as she was mentored by the previous owners in all aspects of framing, she fell in love with the process.
Framing Arts of Healdsburg is a custom frame shop offering unique sizes, materials and glass—although that is not all it offers. Molina gladly helps her clients with the smaller things, such as adding a wire to someone’s frame or replacing broken glass. These extra touches speak to Framing Arts of Healdsburg’s desire to serve clients with expertise and care, and have contributed to the shop lasting over 45 years since opening in 1979.
During Molina’s first few years at Framing Arts, Nancy Hains, a previous owner, taught her everything there was to know about framing, and Molina dreamed of someday owning the business. But when the day arrived for the business to be sold, Molina—still adjusting to adulthood and navigating her personal life—decided to decline the offer of ownership, instead helping teach the new owners all she knew about framing.
A couple of years ago the most recent owners informed Molina that they wanted her to take over the business, and Molina officially became owner in January 2025.
During her time as a framer, Molina learned many skills that helped her understand the trade; however, owning a business came with new responsibilities. Understanding the intricacies of running a business has been a challenging experience for Molina but her many years at the shop have made the transition smoother, providing her with much of the necessary business and service knowledge.
Since taking over at the beginning of 2025, a little over a year ago, Molina has made some modifications—including adjustments to the interior of the shop as well as changes to the process of choosing a material or glass—that make the decision easier for the client.
The community’s response has been the most rewarding part of gaining ownership. Since Molina is a long-time employee, many customers are familiar with her and are excited to see her step into this new role. For example, clients looking for a shadow box may come in with sentimental objects, such as baby shoes or military medals, and Molina gets to hear their stories and help them achieve their framing goals. Interactions like these between clients and the owner create the “personable” atmosphere that Molina says appeals to clients and keeps them coming back.
“Every project, conversation, and returning customer reminds me why I love what I do,” Molina recently shared on Facebook. “Thank you to loyal customers and new faces alike for making this journey so rewarding — your support truly means everything to me.”
Molina said her favorite part of the framing process is “knowing that they’re walking away happy, that they’re going to have this cherished piece of art on their wall that’s beautifully framed and honors whatever it is they’re framing.” This is what lies at the heart of framing: The experience of finding and developing the perfect fit for a piece of art, memorabilia or whatever it is that someone wishes to frame.
Framing Arts of Healdsburg is open Tuesday-Saturday in the Vine Street Plaza, at 1067 Vine St. 707.433.9351.
Lily Grace Brauninger is a senior at Windsor High School.
