How did you get into framing?

[sumik]

I've always wondered what got various people interested in the framing business. Just read about a nurse who wants to become a framer. I got started when a friend who owned a shop asked me if I wanted to work for her part time. Up until then I had never even heard of custom framing.(1985) Anyone care to share their experiences? Susan

[Handy]

My two friends and I all worked at a photography studio/frame shop. We all got to be very good friends - but we had a terrible boss.

He took credit for our work, called us names, made us feel inferior, made promises he wouldn't keep, etc.

So we all just quit and opened up for ourselves, and now we kick his ***!

Funny thing is that if he had shown us the least bit of respect or given us any "responsibility" we could have been doing it for him. Oh well - his loss - our gain!

handy

[curly]

I was going out with a girl in H.S. when I was 15. Her mother ( One of the finest, smartest business people I've ever known) needed her gallery painted. I did the painting and next thing I knew I was working weekends for her. First she taught me how to hang a gallery, then how to frame. I worked for her even after her daughter and I broke up. What she taught me in 2 years was the basis for my success even today (30 years later)and for my management style. I try to emulate her when possible and think of her often and fondly. Her name was Mil Hardy.

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curlyframer, CPF

[Western_Winds]

I spent 20 years as a computer analyst and my wife and partner was a Marine officer for 22 years before we decided to start new careers as picture framers.


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Jim Price
Western Winds Frame and Gallery

[Framing Goddess]

The Goddess got a "summer job" framing after 3 years of art school and found herself hooked.The next thing she knew she was getting nice letters from Kent State University asking why she had "stopped out."
The Goddess also wishes to extend a warm and immortal Grumbler welcome to fellow Hitchhiker Jim Price!

[sumik]

Western Winds, what made you choose picture framing instead of say dry cleaning, or a pizza shop or ice cream parlor? (Gee, I must be hungry!)

[Western_Winds]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Framing Goddess:
The Goddess also wishes to extend a warm and immortal Grumbler welcome to fellow Hitchhiker Jim Price!<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

We are humbled and enlivened at having been noticed by The Goddess! http://www.thegrumble.com/framer/ubbs/biggrin.gif



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Jim Price
Western Winds Frame and Gallery

[Western_Winds]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by sumik:
Western Winds, what made you choose picture framing instead of say dry cleaning, or a pizza shop or ice cream parlor? (Gee, I must be hungry!)<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

We had thought about opening a bakery, as I love to bake my own bread. We were put off by 3 AM opening and 100 lb. sacks of flour. We now realize that is what struggling college students are for!

My partner, Lynn, has always been interested in art and attended commercial art school before 25 years of globe trotting as a Marine.

We visited a few franchise frame shops and worked for free a short time in a local frame shop before deciding this is what we want to do.




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Jim Price
Western Winds Frame and Gallery

[sumik]

I can't blame you for deciding on framing after working in the business for a while. It is fun isn't it! It gets in you blood. I even changed careers for a while, but couldn't stay away. Happy framing! http://www.thegrumble.com/framer/ubbs/smile.gif Susan