The Framers Forum

Well, that's it then. Got the Little Black Book yesterday and as far as framing is concerned it's dead.
Perhaps it's time to rally round the FATG do in May and give support to those suppliers that exhibit there.

I think most of the suppliers will be having their own does and open days. I give my suppliers plenty of support through orders, I don't need to tramp down to Stratford to show my support.

It is sad to see the passing of art and framing at Spring Fair but it has been in decline for the past 10 -12 yrs and the world has changed and people do business differently now.

They are apparently putting the artists all together, I am going to go to look at new lines, gather some ideas and say hello to some of my customers that will be standing, I might even kick over a frame or two on the competitions stand , plus it gets me out of the shop for the day

Such a shame we have lost a UK frame show

Graysalchemy said " the world has changed and people do business differently now.


Yet over in USA their show gets bigger and better each year. Not only the show and 100 + seminars, but also "bonding" events in the evenings
Sat they have 10 pin bowling comp
Rob Marcoff ( who spoke at the last NEC show) has his Chinese Limo dinner
Monday - Australia Day buffet with the Gunnar team, OZ framers, some Germans, a famous underwater photographer Bev Factor, plus others.
Does this link open ?
http://www.ppfacorner.com/forumdisplay. ... ial-Events

Pity we cant emulate them.

Something else from the USA that has not caught on over here!

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The outskirts of Brum in February somehow don't have the same appeal as Las Vegas.

Nor September - Autumn Fair.

The problems we have, IMHO, are thus...

We don't have a trade body, event or even a magazine, with the word "Frame" (ing/er.. whatever) in.

The framing part of the trade body we do have is run by people using it for their own ends.
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Roboframer wrote:The framing part of the trade body we do have is run by people using it for their own ends.
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John, we all know this is your personal view, but I disagree.
It doesn't bother me one jot the word FRAME is absent

There are many people at F.A.T.G. working for free to make it better

Instead of having a pop at them on here why not join them, and help them with your obvious talents

Absolutely! Never mind whether you're one of the best there is, you're one of the best there is that's prepared to share and help.

Keith Hewitt wrote:There are many people at F.A.T.G. working for free to make it better Instead of having a pop at them on here why not join them, and help them with your obvious talents

There are paid staff and there are paying members; any paying members are doing more than working for free to 'make it better' they are paying for the privilege - do you think? Do you think they'd do that if they could not better themselves and/or cash in in some way?

Anyway - I did try, briefly - had an opportunity but would have had to not only pay membership but pay to take the GCF test, it could have been a means to an end but the changes I'd like to see are far too radical and I realised I'd just get frustrated.

Soon after - and after hearing how someone high up wanted a KISS (Keep It Simple, Stupid) approach - which would be good - they changed the name of the framers committee (simple) to the Framers Standards and Qualifications Committee (not simple)

The more complicated things get, the more training is needed - many that devote all this time 'for free' are trainers/educators.

So which framing companies will be there

Merlin mentioned Valiani will be there with Simons, not sure if they will have anything else other than the Valiani stuff though.

We were their last year and will be again this year. Hall 1 stand J50.

Sarah/GUNNAR

There not their!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If anyone on here does go, be sure to visit Jill Ray Landscapes, nice lady and her work sells well, here is a sneek peek of the stand.