The Framers Forum

Although it seemed like a very fleeting visit, I thoroughly enjoyed yeseterday's event, well done to all those involved that actually made it happen and I for one am probably oblivious of how much work was involved to make it such a success. It's nice to turn up to events like this when everyone else has put the hard work in and then wander around chatting to people and having a good time but a big THANK YOU to all the Forum "die hards" that made it happen, especially those who couldn't make it themselves.

I particularly enjoyed the "ask the experts", I was trying to restrain myself, so many questions I wanted to ask, although I must admit it may have felt a little intimidating for the audience faced with such a wealth of experience

I think the novelty of an "avitar" like Bagpuss has worn off, it makes it very difficult to spot people when you're walking round doesn't it ?? apologies if I didn't speak to you but I probably just didn't realise who you were !

Well done everyone, a big pat on the back to everyone involved and a big pat on the back to the Suppliers who supported it .

Adam

Ditto on all you say Adam.
A big thanks to the organisers and a tremendous thumbs up to all the suppliers that supported the event.

Keith

As previous comments, thanks to the organisers, certainly was a "jolly" good event, really enjoyed the sessions, I attended two, so thanks to Richard for sharing his expertise and showing me how much practice I will need to do to become even half as good as Richard himself, some of your finishes Richard are fab. Such an easy going session and frankly amazing to get the value we got in the two hours, compared to what you would pay for a days training. Thanks again Richard. Oh and one thing I definitely learnt, was you cannot breath next to Gold Leaf, it has a mind of its own.

Thanks to to John for his session on the million uses for melinex/mylar. Whilst I have used this stuff, there were some much simpler methods shown to us by John compared to what I had been using and I for one will be making use of simpler and shorter techniques. Again to get a melinex master teaching us tips and methods for two hours + (sorry we ran over John) was great value for money. One thing I definitely learnt from this session, make sure you put the document you are encapsulating into the middle of the two sheets of melinex first before sealing...doh

Nice to catch up with a few friends too and say hi to Sarah from Gunnar, and Mr and Mrs "Decormount" who sold me my morso, a while back. Nice to see Steve on the Wessex stand, the business he must be bringing into Wessex must be great, characters and relationships are what helps sell businesses and lets face it Steve is just that. It reminded me of the film pretty woman (film pretty woman - Steve Goodall ?????? where the link I hear you say???..Well the situation reminded me of the line when Julia Roberts go's shopping the day after being made to feel unwelcome in the boutique store, the dialogue went something like this......

Steve previous employer “Hello, can I help you?”
Steve : “I've been here 19 years, you dont' want me.”
Steve previous employer: “Oh.”
Steve: “You people work on commission, right (eg the more i promote the products the more you make?”
Steves previous employer: “Yeah.”
Steve: “Big mistake. Big. Huge. I have to go to Wessex now.”



Anyway, enough of my ramblings, this was the first time I had attended the event, but already I am looking forward to next year. Thanks again to all those who organised the event.

Cheers

I was really glad that I went. My first time too! I also enjoyed catching up with friends and hearing how they are doing. Excellent event and superbly run, my thanks to all who work so hard to make these things happen.

I plan to be there again next year. Well done guys!

Top rate, really enjoyed it and looking forward to next year

Afternoon.

Thanks to the organisers of FF 2012. The best FF show so far, and the best " roadshow event " that we've been to for some time. Can't wait for FF 2013, show number 4 ! Please keep the Stratford Manor as the venue, I think the event works well from there.

Thank you to the people that came onto our stand, you kept us VERY busy ! I hope we informed you & that you liked what you saw. Certainly, the Futura mountcutter & Cassese machine as demonstrated by our " Guru " Kevin Shelton, kept people entertained. Talking of the Kev-ster, I hope his participation in one of the seminars was useful to those that attended it.

For those that couldn't come along or wouldn't come along & to those that will make show number 4 their very first visit, here is an invitation !... these FF events are worth supporting.
They always have a good buzz about them & they are well put togther. FF goes from strength to strength seemingly. This year, you missed a great one. Make show number 4 even more memorable ! John Noy & the rest of you invloved in the FF events, THANK YOU. Good work gang !

Best regards,

Phil.

Ditto to all the earlier posts! We have just got back home to Bristol.

It was an excellent event, and Gilly and I were particularly glad to have stayed for the evening as well as it was great to catch up over a beer as well - far less rushed than during the day. The food was delicious too!!

Good to meet a lot of people - new faces and old - and I look forward to being more in touch on the forum as well.

Thanks again to those who put the behind-the-scenes work in.

Mark.

Quite a drive in one day for me (especially with the rain on the way back) but well worth it. Just one request: could we have a longer 'Ask the experts' session it was facinating.

ChrisG

Weather was a bit grim coming back North - the first 120 miles in pouring rain and on the bike. The spray is such a beggar to contend with the only way to keep a clear visor (and stay safe) is, well, to go faster.
So, keeping an eye out for the postie.
Nottingham / Derby or Leeds perhaps? But nothing would detract from the day, which was superb.

Kevlar wrote:One thing I definitely learnt from this session, make sure you put the document you are encapsulating into the middle of the two sheets of melinex first before sealing...doh

Two others did the same - so not your fault; mine So I learned a lot too!

Also learned a lot just from chatting in the bar/restaurant Sat & last night and breakfast this morning and it was great to add more faces to names, although I'm sure I missed many.

Another good 'bit of a do'.

Thank you to the organisers and all for the interesting chat, I hope it will happen again next year with even more of forum members and any other framer yet to be converted attending.

It may be a good idea to start a tread to brainstorming ideas with recommendations to help build on what has already been acheived over the past forum gatherings. What would other forum members like to see, what would the lurkers, newbies and the none converted framers amondst us have in mind? What about the established framers out there that do not seem to bother with the forum, what would interest, excite or change their mind about being apart of this movement?

Just a thank you to the suppliers who helped to support the weekend, I sincerely hope you see a benefit short and long-term from your efforts. I guess the forum would be happy to hear your thoughts on the weekend and any ideas which could only help to improve our industry for us all?

Deepjoy

Great day and a big thank you for all the hard work in making it happen.

We both had a great time over the weekend. It was lovely catching up with old friends and meeting new people from the forum too. The workshops went really well, the ask the experts was a great idea and we found some new things of interest on the trade stands. It was a shame more people didn't stay for the dinner on the Sunday night but those of us that did had a brilliant time. The hotel staff were so helpful as always - a great venue.

Well done JGF and of course Mrs JGF - a huge thank you for all your hard work organising it all.

I'm sorry I wasn't there, sounds like everybody had a great time.

What a pity that none of our photographer members were able to attend, though.

I for one wish I was there, as I missed what sounds like a brilliant event this time round. We will definitely be at the next one, with little Maisie

Like you G, I was sorry that I had to miss this year's event but you of course had your own event with the birth of Maisie to attend. I'm sure you think that was just slightly more important, despite any sleepless nights since.

I too would love to see some photos of the event, so if anyone who did attend took any photos why not share them with those of us who missed out, on what Phil from Ashworth & Thompson said was "The best FF show so far, and the best roadshow event that we've been to for some time".

The social evening afterwards sounds like it was the place to be too. Roll on the next one 'cause I certainly plan to be there.

Rolf

Just to add my thanks to everyone too. A thoroughly good day and an enjoyable evening.

I now have a "gilded" frame which will need a little distressing to hide the gaps and creases! Thanks Richard for a very interesting and enjoyable workshop and to Mel for an interesting seminar.

Look forward to next year, always something to learn whether in the workshops, seminars or informal conversations which makes it so worthwhile attending, not to mention the catching up and meeting new people.

I think Deepjoy's idea is a good one. Thanks again, Tim.

Good shoot and congratulations Grahame on the birth of Maisie. I am delighted you decided to name her after my 92 year old Mother. (Maisie McHenry)

Deepjoy

I would like to add our thanks for a great show. It was good to meet up with some of those names we know on here but shame we didn't have name badges with the FF handle. It would have been good to identify.

A big thanks to Robo aka John for a really interesting workshop on melinex/mylar. Even Mrs D was impressed with the uses and I shall put a roll in the car to use as a tow rope, replacement windscreen and a hundred and one other uses. Could be useful in framing as well.

A special thanks to JGF and Mrs JGF for all the work put in to make this a success. Let's make next years even bigger. As pointed out earlier, no photographers turned up this year, so it would be good to see what people want to make them come to the day out.

Super day - many thanks

misterdiy wrote: As pointed out earlier, no photographers turned up this year

I think that may have been a subtle hint for someone to post some photos - I would, but I didn't take any.