Lots of people seem to be selling up and closing their businesses.

[Not your average framer]

Two things seem to be happening at the moment. One is that quite a noticeable number of people are selling up their framing equipment and materials and the other thing is that quite a noticeable of newcomers are wanting to become framers. Not every new framer necessarily has much of a clear idea, or even a defined business plan. This is not a critism, some of us don't necessarily need one, but some probably will at least need a little bit of advice to fill in some of the gaps in what they are hoping to do. Whether we like it, or not there maybe not enough available training available at affordable rates within an easy travelling distance of every new framer, who is looking for someone to either provide some sort of worthwhile training, or even for some, also some handfinished training. Obviously this traning needs to be at a meaningful and professional level, but maybe there are those who have already got adequate knowledge, experience and an adequately equiped workshop, who has been thinking about providing such training. If so, then this might be a good time to be considering taking this idea a bit further.

It is my hope that at least some of us will not let too many of these newbies fall by the wayside and fail. I was wondering how many others are thinking along the same lines and perhaps even would like to do something about this at the moment. I am hoping to reopen my shop in the near future to resume normal framing, but to also have some regular drop in days for those who want to see what's happening and ask questions at no cost, also I will be intending to be providing some basic framing training days and some advanted handfinishing and stacked moulding framing course at an affordable cost. So far it looks like myself and Gesso and Bole are likely to be offering some handfinishing training, but maybe there are oportunities for a few more as well, particularly in other areas. I was wondering how many others may be thinking much the same, perhaps this might be something that's time has arrived. Any thoughts, or comments?
Mark.

[daveym]

Hi Mark,

I'm not sure if I created my post after or before you made this post but I've only just got around to reading this. I may well be one of the newcomers that you mention although I'm quite limited with what I want to do and achieve. You responded to my post regarding the empty frames I'm looking for.

I'm actually both a printer and designer but in the last few years have got into sculpturing. I havnt framed much in terms of my sculptures as had issues with the weight and suitable frames. Ive always loved swept frames and obviously many of the early frames were made of plaster which is what I use and I did attempt to make a few basic frames using some moulds I have, but they are just far to heavy for an average customer to hang, then you have issues with it damage if handled and hung incorrectly and possible injury. I just didn't want the aggro otherwise I would have made more of an attempt at making plaster frames. I've since had a few different ideas for framing some new artwork hence why I think it's time to learn the trade or at least know how to put a basic frame together. I feel I've learnt some bits from YouTube videos but these are made for people that just have a mitre saw and want to cut corners.

To be honest I don't think I'd really look to get into framing full time but would like some basic knowledge so if my new prints took off then I have the ability to save money on buying frames in the future.

What part of the country are you based in? I'd definitely consider an open day if the location was convenient.

Many thanks

Dave

[Not your average framer]

Hi Dave,

Lots of us are trying to do our own thing, to survive, pay the bills, feed ourselves and feed our families. We will not all be doing exactly the same thing, but there is a boit of a learning curve. The idea is to beat the learning curve period a bit and for as many people as possible to be able to hit the ground, with their feet running. What I am suggesting will not necessarily be practical for everyone and for many travelling to my location will be too far, so I am hoping that others will show some interest in other parts of the country as well. At the most basic level, my plan will include open days for small numbers of people to come and watch me doing producing bits and pieces, with the oportunity to ask plenty of questions as I do things.

These open days will be free to all those who come, and I know that there will be some who will need to be watching their money, so this won't be a burdon on those will limited funds. During these days, I will still need to spend lunch time looking after my disabled wife, but there's a nice cafe down the road a very short distance which has very reasonable prices and I can make arrangements to reserve a table, when I know the numbers. Maybe I can even get a group discount deal sorted out as well. The plan is that those attending will bring a writing pad and something to write with and make their own notes as we go on. Those who wish to can make volentary contributions towards the materials for my coffee machine, but it's not particularly necessary anyway and I won't be expecting anything, so it does not much matter!

I also plan to do some more in depth framing courses, which involve stacked frames and some handfinishing as well, unfortunately I will need to make some charge for doing these, but it won't be too much anyway. Again those who attend will need to bring a writing pad and someting to write with so that they can make their own notes. I will provide my coffee machine, for those who want to make their own coffee! I like these things to be light hearted and good fun. It will be quite an informal atmosphere and a little bit of banter and friendship is also welcome, as long as it does not get in the way of the teaching. Numbers for group courses will be necessarily limits as my premises are also quite small and I want every one to have adequate room to see what is happening. Coffee will be included in the cost for the course, so no charge at all.

I need to clear some space and get the area tidy first, as I did not get the chance to do this when needed to move to the new premises, bcause I had my stroke shortly afterwards and getting sorted never got done at the time. And I Will be advising dates, when things got sorted. Taking photographs of what I am doing will be permitted within reason, as long as it does not interfere with the smooth running of the training. I've done a handfinishing course a few years ago and it was well received, with plenty of good feedback on the forum somewhere, so I've got a bit of experience doing this sort of thing!

[FlagshipFraming]

Good topic Mark!

As a wholesaler we often get approached by newcomers to the industry looking for help and advise and I have to agree that if they are not made to feel welcome and given that help to get started then the industy as a whole loses out. I am a huge advocate for trying to build relationships and networks between framers so that they can help and support one another, not just for the new comers either... but for the established framers too to help them to have someone to bounce ideas off or to ask for advise!

Everyone worries that newcomers are going to compete with them for business but I don't think that is the reality in the majority of cases and the more ideas and diversity of thinking that we can bring in to the industry the better it will be for everyone.

I often discuss with potential customers how our aim to grow the framing industy as a whole and use the following example: If I asked 100 people in the street if they had used a picture framer and where their nearest framer was, I expect that only a handful might even be aware that these services exist! If we could get to a situation where even a quarter of them (25 in every 100) are aware of bespoke framing as an industry and where to go to access this service......

Well we would all be so busy that we would have no idea what to do with ourselves!

I think your generous offer to provide some drop in days is a great idea and I love the idea of trying to create a network of framers across the country who would be willing to offer these type of sessions a couple of times a year perhaps to allow anyone thinking about starting up to come and see what is involved. If Flagship Framing can do anything to support this let me know what would help and I will do what I can. (I am thinking about perhaps supplying some materials to keep the sessions free, or doing some calling round to find some of our customers who would consider giving their time?)

Alex

[Not your average framer]

Hi Alex,

I know from my own experience from yours ago to try to survive and make a living in very hard times, so I really feel for many of these newcomers to framing and think that I may have a good understanding of many of the difficulties which they might be struggling with right now. For me, it's like been there, done it and got the T shirt. I think that you have got to respect these people, who are trying very hard to make a new start, in a new profession which they often may know very little about and in many cases will be finding making it work quite difficult right now!

Most of this secondhard equipment being sold right now, is coming from people who are closing down, so hopefully this means that there are opportunities being created in the market, but those who are closing down. So many of these newcomers to the business, will hopefully be finding the oppotunities to fit a few of this gaps and to survive and develop their own businesses. It'a a hard time and there is a need to rebuild the economy, which is very necessary for us all.

I have a different focus on how I do things, which is to produce a variety of different framing related items and also to re-use my waste materials to produce other saleable items as well and I think that I got some interesting and viable ideas to show some who may be needing create additional sales oppotunities for their own small businesses, with out un-necessary extra start up expenses. What I am hoping, is that a network of small framers in different parts in different parts of the country will want to be part of this too!
Nice to hear for you,
Mark.