Bespoke Conservation Framing in Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and South Yorkshire.
Craftsmanship, Conservation, and Quality, a Studio-Based, Appointment-Led Approach
My name is Ashley Jackson, and I run Salix Fine Framing, a specialist framing studio based in Shirebrook, Derbyshire. I work on an individual basis, offering conservation-led picture framing, object framing, bookbinding, and the making of archive-quality boxes for the safe storage and presentation of important items.
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For over thirty years, my professional life was spent in the IT industry, working with some of the UK’s largest organisations. While that career developed strong technical discipline and problem-solving skills, it became increasingly removed from the things I value most: work that feels purposeful, and the satisfaction of seeing something tangible at the end of the day. Alongside this, I have always maintained a deep interest in natural history, museums, and archives, an interest that grew through volunteering at the Natural History Museum of London, serving as a Trustee of the British Ornithologists’ Club, and undertaking historical research that took me into the archives of some of the UK’s most significant libraries and collections.
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In 2025, following redundancy, I chose to change direction entirely and commit to work that felt more satisfying and worthwhile. I trained in picture framing in London and discovered a craft that suited both my practical instincts and my appreciation for careful, considered presentation. I also undertook specialist training in bookbinding and the construction of archival boxes, extending my practice beyond conventional framing into the wider care and housing of objects and documents.
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Salix Fine Framing was founded with a studio-based, appointment-led approach, rather than the constraints of a traditional retail shop. This allows me to work flexibly and to offer consultations at times that suit my clients, not just within standard 9–5 opening hours — something many people find restrictive. It also allows me to focus fully on the work itself, rather than volume or footfall.
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My practice is rooted in craftsmanship, tradition, and quality over speed. I work slowly and deliberately, using conservation-grade materials and methods, and I see framing as a collaborative and exploratory process. My studio is based at the local business centre in Shirebrook, housed within the former station office of the listed building on the Robin Hood Line, from where I offer an honest, personal service — approachable, reliable, and focused on doing things properly.
