Newbie Framer

[FFrames]

Hi guys!

I've been lurking around here for a while reading most the posts and getting some great tips!

I'm just about to launch my own print & frame business in a few months after having just left my previous job. For the last few years I managed a small online print company that specialised in wall art products for the professional photography market. We mainly made canvases, acrylics and other mounted prints... We did do some framing too, but no serious volume... I'm a bit of a newbie in that aspect, so will be asking a ton of questions!! I'm sure I can help out if anyone needs advice on the print side though!

My new business will similar to the one I just left, but will also have a retail premises. I'm wanting to offer a lot more framing options too, but am a bit aprehensive about that due to lack of experience... Not really framed any valueable artwork before!... Just photo prints. I have done some frame training before, but am thinking it would be wise to get some more before opening up shop. Would people recomend trying for a GCF? Or is that something you would go for after a few years? If so could anyone recomend a good place to get that or any other training done? (Am based in London) Also, would you think it's a good idea to get training without having the equipment so you can go back and practice? I remember from the last training I did, I had to practice what I learnt several times so that it sunk in

[StevenG]

Hi & welcome - I'm basically a newbie here myself but, based on personal experience, I know you'll get a ton of expert advice on here. I've just done the exam and am just waiting on the results, not sure if it's an essential thing to have though, I just had the opportunity so I took it - having the equipment is a must I reckon, it's nice to have all the theory but the practice is the main thing, as they say 'if you don't use it you loose it!' Anway, best of luck!

[Roboframer]

Welcome to the forum!

Regards the GCF .... and the FATG in general, you are fortunate to have a very active local branch and you do not have to be a member to attend events, you'll just pay a couple of quid more than a member.

http://www.fineart.co.uk/London_Branch.aspx

Whatever the theme/subject of each event is, there is always time, before and after, to chat with people with all sorts of levels of experience.

Regards training you can get courses that will prepare you for the GCF test specifically or you can get courses that are tailored, one-to-one, to suit your immediate needs.

[FFrames]

Thanks for that Robo! I'll def try and pop down... It was actually Lyn from Fringe Arts that I got my initial training from! I only spent a day with her, but the amount I learnt in that short time was imense! She's certainly a great teacher! It was fairly expensive, but I didn't pay

Oh.. And I think You're right about needing the equipment to practice on feauturepiece. I've planned for 2 months of product development and set-up time, so I'll prob look to start some more training then.

[IFGL]

Welcome FF.

Feture piece I am waiting here with baited breath, did you pass?

I have been considering joining the guild for the last few years, over the last year or so it's becoming apparent I am going to have to,
I told our number 1 framer today I might send all of us on some training courses, he replied, why? I hate showing people how to do things.

[StevenG]

Baited breath! I've been holding mine since the morning of the exam. Not results back yet - it can take weeks (2 being the norm apparently). Myself and school parted terms quite a few years ago and I don't ever remember being as nervous for any exam, I'm now in my 40's and have had a few life altering experieces over the years but on that day I was a quivering wreck - and I cannot explain why I was so bad, I was overthinking answers, missing out on the obvious stuff, basically made myself look like an eejit I had never really heard of the Guild until I did the training course and I'm the type of person who likes to belong to something and there are a few little benefits to be had with the membership. I will take more training over the years, I only with work for myself, by myself and sometimes and extra head makes all the difference - Where I do my training is in an operating framing shop and it's great to see the real world stuff come in - some of the most valuable advice I've had has been from little conversations for the framers, little tips and stuff that isn't in any manual - the type of stuff we see on here - real world advice which, as you know, is priceless. Now, even I do pass the exam I wouldn't consider myself to be any shape of form of an expert but at least it'll be something to put in the shop window to indicate that I know a few things at least The exam is sorta module based with each section having it's own marking, failing a particular area means you only repeat that part. Anyway, still got my fingers and toes crossed. Oh, and I liked the reply from your No.1 framer

[StevenG]

Well, I passed!!

[Tudor Rose]

congratulations

[StevenG]

Ah shucks, thanks

[IFGL]

Nice one.