Nathalie Sims considered it more of an honor than a job.

Suddenlink commissioned Sims to construct a frame for a special U.S. flag – one that had been flown in Iraq.

“I was really, really honored to do it,” she said. “It meant as much to me as to the guys who flew the flag.”

Sims found that her biggest challenge was that she had to construct a frame so that the flag was clearly visible and she had to follow U.S. flag exhibition protocols.

Calls to a large Dallas frame shop and other framing contacts, including one in Colorado, were somewhat helpful. The local hardware store in Bullard helped, but Sims had to think of a way on her own to accomplish her commission.

“I had to invent a frame,” she said.

Sims eventually settled on sandwiching the flag between two sheets of plexiglas and an aluminum frame.

Sims spent about 100 hours constructing the frame.

Nathalie Sims (right) constructed a special frame for a U.S. flag that flew over Iraq. The framed flag is displaced at the Suddenlink calling center on the loop in Tyler. Sims said the project took about 100 hours to complete. (Photos Courtesy of Nathalie Sims) “There were a lot of headaches trying to put it together,” she said. “Sometimes it was a nightmare, but I enjoyed it.”

Sims, who has lived in Bullard for about 15 years and opened Von Brandenburg Gallery & Custom Framing at 213 W. Main in Bullard in September 2009, said she loves her work so much she would work for nothing if she could. But, like every business owner, Sims has to pay the bills and she does so by offering a large variety of frames styles and sizes.

Sims, whose late husband, Joel “Bubba” Sims served in Iraq and other war zones and was a Bullard High School graduate, said she enjoys owning a small business in Bullard.

“I feel privileged to live in Bullard,” she said. “It’s that family-feeling. I’m so proud of that.”

Sims said it makes her feel good when a customer picks up a painting or photo of a family member she was able to frame.

“My biggest reward is when people come in and pick up their art,” she said. “It makes me happy to make people happy.”

Sims, who raised a son and daughter who are twins and who graduated from Bullard High School, does much of the cutting and woodwork from her home in Bullard before returning to her downtown shop.

To see the frame Suddenlink commissions, Sims said it is hanging at the Suddenlink calling center on the loop in Tyler. To see other samples of her work, visit her little shop. She enjoys the challenge of framing anything.

“If you can think it, I can make it,” she said. “I really like doing this.”