ArtPassions.com Wins “Best of Web” Award in E-Commerce Category

ArtPassions.com, a wholly owned subsidiary of Craig Frames, Inc. of Ithaca, Michigan was recently named the best web site in the E-Commerce category, winning the Troy Chamber of Commerce’s Helen eWards for Web Excellence, sponsored by Miller Canfield.

“Having been in the art framing business for over 16 years we knew we wanted to create a website that would exemplify the same attributes that have made our business successful…quality craftsmanship in framing, fantastic customer service and guaranteed best pricing. It is truly an honor to have www.ArtPassions.com recognized as having accomplished those traits in e-commerce” said Al Kommel, President of ArtPassions.com.

“Of course the development credit needs to go to the strong technical team at AVID Commerce. We appreciate their guidance, late nights and long hours they spent over the last two years to make the site so user friendly and a reflection of our business at the same time. According to the judges the site is easy to navigate and very understandable. One judge liked this site so much that she made a purchase,” added Kommel.

“ArtPassions.com is a great example of the power that comes from combining a strong value proposition with the kind of Internet technology that makes it accessible and understandable to your customers”, said Stephen Antisdel, Managing Director of AVID Commerce. “We’ve worked closely with the ArtPassions team to present their unique offering in a clear, compelling way that resonates with their customers.”

ArtPassions.com is an e-commerce site that offers customers over 70,000 fine art prints with the ability to custom frame each according to their tastes via a simple-to-use Custom Framing Tool with cost savings of up to 70% compared to typical gallery prices. “We received nearly 200 nominations this year in ten categories,” said 2008 Helen Committee Chair Tracy-Ann Palmer of Palmer National. “We had many creative and high quality web sites to consider from companies across the state.”

The Helen eWards competition, now in its ninth year, takes nominations annually from July to September. Nominees must have a Michigan link to be eligible—either designed by or for a Michigan-based company. Each winning site receives a Helen eWard, a stunning crystal award with the image of Helen of Troy etched inside.

About ArtPassions.com

ArtPassions.com was formed to bring value-conscious clients the ’best of the best’ in custom framed art through a unique Online Gallery that makes decorating and shopping easy, inexpensive, creative and fun. Since 1992, the Company has produced framed art and home décor products for large retailers, catalog houses, consumers, hospitals and businesses, nationwide. The ArtPassions.com family of companies today includes Craig Frames Inc., a state-of-the-art wholesale framing operation, and two large retail outlets for artwork, frames and related home decorating products. While the organization has grown dramatically, its mission is unchanged: A passion for quality craftsmanship combined with affordable art and wall décor products – at the best prices anywhere. www.ArtPassions.com

About AVID Commerce

AVID Commerce is the creator of proprietary e-commerce applications and related technologies employed in the design, development and marketing of high-performance, ecommerce web properties. AVID Commerce clients include award winning e-retailer wel sites that includes www.ArtPassions.com, www.WorkingPerson.com, www.Veada.com, www.Foamiture.com, www.JLPowellUSA.com, and many others. www.AVIDcommerce.com Internet Strategy, Technology and Marketing that Drives Client Success.

Contact Information

Stephen Antisdel

Managing Director

AVID Commerce, L.L.C.

Contact via E-mail