TJ's MatWorks is a division of TJ's Designs, Inc., in Andrews, North Carolina and is owned by Tony and Jeanne Powell. The Powells are both natives of Georgia. Jeanne was born in Atlanta, Tony was born and raised in Macon.

After many years of working in the corporate world as computer specialists, Tony and Jeanne chose to take early retirement to start their own business. What a change in lifestyle!

Tony has always enjoyed collecting or, as he calls it, “preserving history.” He most enjoys the acquisition of old paper advertising collectibles, particularly lithographed labels from the early 1900s, such as citrus fruit, apple, peach crate labels, and unused can labels. Tony is currently compiling information on and samples of Georgia labels. He wishes to publish a collector’s guide to Georgia labels.

Tony’s label collection led him toward the matting business. His desire to display some of his collection in picture frames quickly became prohibitively expensive. Conservation framing, which is the correct way to frame and protect old lithographs, costs twice as much as conventional framing. He decided to learn to mat and frame his collection himself in order to save money.

Jeanne, a life-long learner, is also an artist and aspiring author. She currently works in polymer clay, creating miniature works of art and jewelry. She has started experimenting with larger, framed pieces – which, of course, also require mats.