You can watch the story of how we met and fell in love while working for Carnival. We were excited to be chosen to have our love story featured in one of Carnival’s social media marketing campaigns back in 2011. They shared a series of short videos throughout the day on Valentine’s Day highlighting our story. (We combined all of them into one video.) When you’re in the shop, you can see one of the love notes Giovanni left for Jill in that St. Thomas bar!
Owner & Senior Framer
Giovanni was born on the tiny island of Pellestrina, Italy, located in the heart of the Venetian lagoon. During his school years, he spent most of his time in his uncle’s woodshop, while summers were dedicated to helping his father harvest black mussels from the lagoon.
After graduating from Merchant Marine School in the ’80′s, he got a position as a Deck Officer with Carnival Cruise Line. It was on board the M/S Tropicale in Los Angeles where he met Jill, and soon after, they decided to get married. After they got married, they moved to Venice for three years, but then came to the conclusion to set roots back in the US.
Once they moved back in 1994, the maritime field no longer held the same appeal. That’s when he rediscovered his passion for woodworking – and his new goal became learning the art of framing. It wasn’t long after that that Giovanni got the opportunity to work at Let Us Frame It, and Jill joined the team shortly after. Giovanni is a gifted craftsman who draws on his years of experience when creating custom-made frames for our clients.
In the last 10 years, Giovanni & Jill have been fortunate to have their two daughters, Valentina and Isabella, grow up with Let Us Frame It! They have become part of the day-to-day operations and both work in the store!
Owner & Senior Designer
The most visible creators I know are those artists whose medium is life itself. The ones who express the inexpressible - without brush, hammer, clay or guitar. They neither paint nor sculpt - their medium is being. Whatever their presence touches has increased life. they see and don’t have to draw. They are the artists of being alive.
As far back as she remembers, Jill has identified as being creative. When she was three years old, she got her first introduction to color and design when someone gifted her a kaleidoscope and vividly remembers being inspired by the magical patterns the colors created with every turn. It wasn’t long after that when she received the big box of 64 crayons while in kindergarten. She was desperate to test out the colors so she decided to go ahead and use the big white walls inside her closet as her canvas. Always inspired by things around her – especially texture – silly puddy and playdough were also a big part of exploring her creativity growing up.
Jill realizes the importance of emotional connections to people and our history. Being an owner of Let Us Frame It has allowed her to fulfil this purpose in life because everything that is framed has some kind of memory or experience attached to it. Helping others create something that will be treasured for generations to come gives Jill great joy!
When people come to through the doors with a project, she gets to become part of the memories – she gets to travel with clients, attend weddings and baptisms and even honor loved ones who have passed away. Jill truly believes that we are the story keepers and it is our responsibility to document our experiences and memories or they will get forgotten by future generations.
Jill’s belief that everyone benefits from a creative life and artistic self inspires her own life. She believes it is important that your home is your sanctuary and safe haven so it should reflect who we are and our creativity – and what we love! She takes great pride in connecting with our clients, their stories and helping find the perfect combination to highlight and share their memories for a lifetime.
Marketing Director
Valentina, the eldest daughter of Jill & Giovanni, has quite literally grown up in the business of photography and framing. From the ripe age of 6 months, she helped her entrepreneurial grandfather curate his photography and posed as his model to get the business off the ground. Currently, she is a Master’s student in Venice, Italy.
If she were not working here at Let Us Frame It designing away, her dream job would be to work for an international health non-profit organization. Something surprising about her is that she has dyed her hair pink, purple, and red. Her favourite artist and piece is Abbott Handerson Thayer’s, Angel, 1887. When she has free time she loves being outdoors, painting, or reading.
Junior Designer
Isabella is the second daughter of founders Jill & Giovanni and the next generation shaping the future of the family’s custom framing business. Whether she’s assisting with showroom displays or organizing the shop’s extensive collection of mouldings and mats, Isabella plays a key role in both the creative and operational sides of the studio.
She is currently pursuing a degree in Interior Design and Architecture at the University of Florida, where she is developing the skills and vision needed to expand the business into new creative territories. Her long-term goal is to lead the company into its next chapter by building partnerships with interior designers and design firms across Central Florida.
Dividing her time between Gainesville and the family shop, Isabella is committed to honoring her family’s legacy while helping it grow into something even bigger.
Studio Manager
Sofia Oviedo is a Cuban creative from Miami, Florida. She holds an associate’s degree in Graphic Design from Florida International University and a bachelor’s in Arts Management from the University of Central Florida.
Grounded in Color theory and art history, Sofia helps clients select frames that elevate and protect their artworks. As a practicing artist, she brings meticulous attention to detail to every build, ensuring museum-quality results.
Sofia values her team at Let Us Frame It and aims to continue supporting small businesses and museums through exhibition curation and the management of artists and galleries.
When she’s not working, Sofia enjoys exploring Florida’s nature trails and springs, reading, or diving into hands-on art projects ranging from painting and ceramics to crocheting and cross-stitching.
Production & Technical Support Specialist
This is Caelum! Aside from the Vianello Family, Caelum is Let Us Frame It’s longest working team member.
If Caelum were not working on framing projects or using our magical Wizard machine for mat designs, Caelum’s dream job is to be a Space Settler and/or Wandering Wizard. A funny fact about Caelum is that when he was 5 years old he was signed up for a tap dancing class to help with his poor balance…. However, on the very first day he fell and earned his first scar! This guy loves video games so in his free time you can catch him playing his favorite game, The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker.
