LOS ANGELES, Jan. 30, 2001 (PRIMEZONE) -- Most Americans purchase something beautiful or sweet to express love and passion for the people in their lives on Valentine's Day. An estimated 110 million roses change hands, according to FTD, and the Chocolate Manufacturing Association says 36 million boxes of chocolate are consumed each year at this time. And for some, these traditional symbols of affection are perfect.
But this year, shopping for a truly sentimental gift that will last forever and get the most wonderful response is easy, thanks to photowow.com. This Los Angeles-based digital graphics boutique can create personalized mini canvas paintings made from your own favorite photographs. (The photos are returned unharmed.) And, photowow's Valentine's specials cost no more than a dozen roses or a box of Godiva chocolates.
From any regular snapshot, photowow.com can create a 5"x7" reproduction on canvas with your own words of love for $39, or a 5"x7" heart pop painting for $59. The mini canvas pieces are finished on stretcher bars, treated so they won't run or fade, and come with stands so they can be displayed on desks, shelves, or countertops.
"Gift giving is like a balancing act, especially for Valentine's Day," says photowow.com founder Robert Schiff. "You want to give something as special and touching as possible. But, at the same time, you don't want any hassles."
With photowow, purchasing a one-of-a-kind gift for your "one and only" is easy. Just log onto www.photowow.com and click on the "Specials" tab to place your Valentine's Day order. Then mail in your photo, proof your design on-line, and receive the finished piece at your home or office within two weeks. (Orders can be shipped within four days of receipt of your photo for a 25 percent rush charge.)
If more is better, photowow also offers larger custom-framed canvas and poster paper prints in sizes ranging from 11"x14" to as large as 48"x60". Perfect Valentine's Day designs include the full four-panel heart pop created from one photo, or the heart-shaped collage using 10 to 100 of your photos. (Prices vary according to design, size, material and framing options.)
"When you give a present, the best you can hope for is a completely emotion-based response. You want them to love it, not only because it came from you, but also because it conveys a special meaning. That's where we come in," says Schiff, who has created gifts given by friends and family members to numerous celebrities including Arnold Schwarzenneger, Lisa Kudrow, Billy Crystal, Carrie Fisher, Tommy Lee Jones, Montel Williams, and Larry King.
The two Southern California retail stores and the web site currently offer 32 designs (soon to be 40) developed by photowow graphic artists that can be applied to any photograph(s). Included are Warhol-style pop art, comic-style images, and collages of up to 100 photos. In addition to the mini canvas pieces, photowow can also transfer favorite photos and original designs created from photos onto 16 other items including ceramic tiles, lamps, pillows, mugs, t-shirts, and invitations.
For more information, visit www.photowow.com or call photowow.com - the store at 310-820-3197 or 818-981-7747.
EDITOR'S NOTE: Please call Aileen Stein Public Relations at (805) 582-0429 or e-mail aileenstein@yahoo.com for electronic photo files or sample pieces.
photowow locations: Brentwood Gardens 11677 San Vicente Blvd., #301 Los Angeles, CA 90049 (310) 820-3197 Store Hours: Monday-Saturday, 10AM to 6PM Encino Place 16101 Ventura Blvd., #260 Encino, CA 91436 (818) 981-7747 Store Hours: Monday-Saturday, 10AM to 6PM
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CONTACT: Aileen Stein Public Relation
Aileen Stein
(805) 582-0429
aileenstein@yahoo.com