The Spring Fair

[prospero]

I had a notion that I might take a trip down this year. Haven't been for yonks. When I used to go I started leaving earlier and eariler..... It's always been wet/windy/cold/miserable. It's nice to meet up with peeps and have a gawp around, but after a time it's just same old same old....

I think they should shift it to after the clocks go forward.

[IFGL]

I haven't been for a few years now because it became a bit rubbish, this year I am going, I need some lines to fill my new shop.

[Graysalchemy]

here's some new lines for you ifgl



you don't need to go now

[IFGL]

They are just a little to linear for me, very nice though

[Not your average framer]

I would like to go, but I won't know if I can until just before the Sunday which I is the day I intend to go. My wife Vee is waiting to be called into hospital for an operation and if this happens before the SF then Vee will need me at home to look after her. Even if the operation is later, a lot will depend upon the weather and the resulting road conditions. The round trip for us is about 400 to 450 miles, so it's a long trip if the weather turns bad.

I'm sorry to say this, but I think that the days of framing suppliers exhibiting at the Spring fair are probably coming to a close. It's often a bad time of year for weather and travelling conditions, plus the cost to exhibitors must be hard to justify if bad weather can so severely reduce attendances and therefore potential for orders taken at the show.

Our suppliers have put up a really good effort over the years and no doubt during the current recession will have been a significant burden, even for the bigger suppliers. The day must be coming when there will be a rethink about the venue and the time of year, if an industry wide event like this is to continue.

[David]

I will probably go but only because I’m looking for some photo frames to stock.

It is rather sad that our industry can’t put on a decent trade show. Art and framing used to cover one of the large halls at the NEC now it can’t manage a significant corner.

I was at the NEC yesterday, the Autosport show, very busy on a trade only day.

The Forum Live show, the Guild and suppliers have been working very hard at creating an alternative, with training and seminars, I would say attendances have been disappointing. It also seems to be a lot of the same faces, dare I say the more forward thinking, also reflected in this forum. Why is there so much apparent apathy in such a creative industry?

[A3DFramer]

Just ripped into the polythene envelope that protects my little black book from the ravages of the postal system, leave it intact till I get on the train that whisks me fairly painlessly to Brum. Int. despite a change at real Brum. Not a lot going on going on on the face of it all the trad. exhibitors are on page 99, I think. Course for snobbery there must be an hierarchy, and as such the trade now, and since the turn of the millennium, is far too thinned out for there to be an hierarchy, so snobbery became extint (I wonder?). Trinity slightly misread my remark, I think I said inbred not in built and as an ex farmer it was a chosen word, like many who have come into framing they have come from other lines of employment, I created a modestly successful business and a very successful product that ran for two decades. During those two decades there was a boom-time in local manufacture of creative wall decor, but the only winner I can see is the cheap imported product.

I may be wrong but my observation, as an outsider, was of a mainly introspective industry that drifted through a time of intense creative activity and hence the rather thin remnant of survivors in Hall 4, that once filled Hall 5.

[Keith Hewitt]

- A round trip of 250 miles the petrol, around £70.00 for my motor, the wear and depreciation, the possibility of a speeding ticket,
Dave

I know many who come by car - maybe its habit - I recall the 1990's we all went in our cars
But now I am older ( and I hope wiser ) I went by train last year - it was so much easier.

Read the paper - have a coffee, no parking probs or wiating for the bus at NEC, No M6 -
Its actually much quicker than driving

and the cost £21.00 return

Check out the trains from your area before you default to the car.

And do try and visit the show - I guarantee you will learn something

[chris62]

I did check for "prices" for the train but 180£ was a tad to much of a Rip Off

[Framerpicture]

It looks like there are only about 50 exhibitors in art and framing section of show not sure it's worth bothering other than one of the seminars has intrigued me on Monday 10 o'clock 'How to buy art'. It doesn't list a speaker but who is it supposed to be aimed at? Also see D & J Simons are giving seminar on adding framing to retail business

[Steve Goodall]

Hi Guys & Gals,

I have been a "little busy" recently - with my new role at Wessex Pictures & I have to say "loving every minute of it"

Therefore - I have missed a few things here on the forum recently - but just wanted to chip in a few words on a subject that is very close to my heart - SPRING FAIR

This will be my twentieth fair as an exhibitor & I am really looking forward to it. My Wessex "show shirts" arrived yesterday (sadly not black) & our staff copies of the new catalogue have arrived - so I can get up to speed on all the new products & there are lots!!!

I will be giving a couple of seminars on the "main stage" too - on the subject of what is required to "get going" as a picture framer & I hope they will be of interest - even to anyone just walking by.

As for the weather - we all know the met office "over egged the pudding" last year...

Even with my poor driving skills & failing eyesight - I made into the fair from Manchester & Droitwich everyday without incident or accident.

There is always something new to see at the show & obviously it is a great chance for a bit of "networking" - not just with potential customers - but other suppliers too.

So come guys – cheer up

If you are coming - please take the time to come & say "hello" & if you are staying away - well - just make sure you are on my mailing list for our new catalogue - IT'S HUGE!!!

Oh - did I mention special offers???
Yes you guessed it - they are HUGE too!!!


See You There!!!

[Trinity]

WELL SAID THAT MAN! and come on you suppliers, attract us!
If I can make the day cost neutral, I'll be happy enough.

[Ricky]

Must admit i had thought not to go this year, but then I'd miss crack & the chance to meet up with every one,So I'm going on Monday.
plus I bought a Glass Crusher from someone near Birmingham so I can pick it up to save on postage

In case any one is interested there a PDF file Attached with the Framers Forum Badge.

framers forum badge2.pdf

(100.1 KiB) Downloaded 321 times

Just put your own name in the space (preferably your Forum Name) so you can be recognised

[Merlin]

I will be there demonstrating the Valiani Range of CMC's and the new V-Studio software.

On the D & J Simons stand.

Come and say Hello.

[A3DFramer]

It is always worth while walking the other halls, though I wound up my business 8 years ago, last year I spoke to exhibitor, who told me that if I was still in business, I would be in for a good order. Two of my old wholesale customers are still exhibiting, despite the almost blanket failures of companies in the decor trade.

My very first company order came from observing a national company marketing a product that I could make, and make it better. I told them what could do and I suspected that their requirements might be more than I could cope with. I got an order for 50 units a month for nine months per year projected through to following year. I could cope with it, in fact we taught ourselves to produce 5 days work in 2.

Even if you do not find a product you can make, you may be seeing the things that will appear on your high street during the following months of the year and be able to suggest to customers ideas they had not thought of.

I may not be the greatest admirer of the companies that support the framing industry, but trade fairs such as the Spring fair are a great place to spot something that will spark off an idea.

[Keith Hewitt]

, but trade fairs such as the Spring fair are a great place to spot something that will spark off an idea.

100 % agree

We can all always learn something at a trade show.

Seminars + demonstrators + fellow framers + even ideas seen in other halls,
and not forgetting Steve Goodall

SEE YOU IN BRUM

[shiltonphoto]

Regarding costs for train tickets you *must* shop around. I'm travelling to Birmingham International station from Manchester Piccadilly - it's costing me £49 there and back - and that's even returning 1st class! Try trainline.com - but be flexible with which station you travel from; eg: Preston Station is closer for me, but costs more than double, and I'd have to change.

This only being my second trip to the show, I can't compare it to previous years, although to me it seems pretty big. I don't even think the bbc good food show takes up as many halls as the spring fair?

[span2iels]

Looking forward to meeting up with those who intend to travel. I shall bring a couple of my designs down to be viewed on the Valiani stand and I am happy to discuss the design methods behind their construction.

[Keith Hewitt]

Mal
Have just read a post about your new ( rather swish ☺) website - but now cant find it ?

Where did you post it?

See you in Brum

Keith

[span2iels]

Hi Keith

New Jester Design website address is:
www.jesterdesigns.co.uk

See you next weekend.

Mal