Dead Week

[tnframer408]

This week is school break week it's Easter Week, it's about 65-75 degrees and our parking lot is EMPTY

Even the telephone solicitors aren't soliciting.

Is anyone else experiencing an off-week?

[Framerguy]

Mike,

Same up here. Last week was busy. I have had only 2 pieces in so far this week.

Of course I would prefer an off week since Zippy is due to arrive sometime today. (I hope his son is potty trained and doesn't bite.)

The mayor, the welcome band, the reporters, all the local dignitaries are milling around on my front yard and porch. (I hope Ron doesn't get lost. These people can be really mean when they are kept waiting.) ;)

Framerguy

[TADPORTER]

Been a little slow here in Memphis this week and last. Got a lot of projects brewing though. Need the break.
---Mike

[Meghan MacMillan]

So far today I have vacuumed thoroughly , sifted out and re-organized my hold bins, composed a letter to be sent by registered mail to the owners of some orphaned jobs from 1999 and 2000, ordered a spice rack, wrote up one job my uncle brought in before Christmas, put some new art into sleeves, reorganized the CDs, and called a bunch of answering machines basically begging people to come in and pick up, and had lunch. After I finish up with the Grumble (unless there is a stampede of customers - oh please, oh please) I'll place a United order and a poster order. I might even clean the bathroom.

Remember, I don't do any framing here so it isn't as if I can clean the mat cutter or de-glue the joiner or any of that fun stuff.

I'm told that the private schools have next week off, too and most of the good twns folk are "in the islands."

I did have a couple of good sales on Tuesday, and yesterday was decent, if not overwhelming. Today feels like watching paint dry. It's not quite warm enough but I have the front door open anyway hoping to lure in somone who didn't know she wanted to come in.

[mbshir]

Since Christmas, it has been totally dead from Tuesday thru Friday. On Saturdays, it seems that they are lined up down the street. Our sales are actually up considerably, but it's been all Saturday sales.

[D_Derbonne]

Not completely dead here, but last week and this week have certainly slowed down.
Spring break and warm temperatures. I am finishing some "rush" jobs today, but am having trouble keeping my mind on the jobs at hand. I have a raging case of spring fever myself!

[FrameMakers]

I'm so glad to hear that we're not alone in having a slow march. February was the best month we have ever had in 32 years. Still have 2 more weeks of work from last month. hope things turn around soon.

[B. Newman]

Framing is slow these past 2 weeks, but I think everyone within 100 miles that has chairs to cane has brought them. I have about 30 pieces* in the shop (and 6 huge porch rockers from Ruby Tuesdays Corporate Lodge in the garage - no room in here!) You just can't walk anywhere without climbing over chairs! :eek:

*For perspective, some pieces take 1-2 days each to do.

Betty

[Ruth]

March has also been a slow month for us, after the best February ever. Things are looking up for April. smile.gif

[ArtLady]

Sorry to tell you all this folks but I have been on a roll since February 1. Up 70% so far this year. Somebody pinch me quick!!!

[Ted]

March, for me, has always tradionally been better then February, but this year, like many of you, I had a record breaking February and a dead March. I wonder what was so special about this February. I thought it was just me...apparently not.

Ted

[EllenAtHowards]

And we are just the opposite. S-l-o-w February, brisk March (except for the stormy rainy days that we thank G*d for... March is all the way up to average rainfall!) But it is spotty by the day. One day nothing; next day, "I'll take it! $1000 sounds reasonable!" every few minutes... ;) (small exaggeration)

[Framerguy]

Originally posted by EllenAtHowards:
And we are just the opposite. S-l-o-w February, brisk March (except for the stormy rainy days that we thank G*d for... March is all the way up to average rainfall!) But it is spotty by the day. One day nothing; next day, "I'll take it! $1000 sounds reasonable!" every few minutes... ;) (small exaggeration)Ellen,

You are allowed to type in God's full name on the Grumble.

the *'s are traditionally reserved for 'cuss words that may be edited in their entire spelling.

I'll bet that God would be pleased if you edited your post

FGII

[Laguna Framing Company]

Things are much busier than they were... since the beginning of the year it was slow, with intermittant days where everyone would come in at once. We're wholesale and don't really advertise for retail business (we do galleries, artists, etc.) so we don't get a lot of traffic anyway, plus we are located in a business park. The weird thing was, on 9/11 we had a bunch of retail people come in, and that hardly ever happens. It was like everyone needed something to do to take their minds off of things, even if it was just for an hour or two.
For some reason though I always remember March and August being really slow... glad it's picking up!

LFC

[Meghan MacMillan]

Much busier today! A lot of the people who have said "I'll have to come back with my husband." did today - and those poor guys thought they had a day off.

[EllenAtHowards]

You are allowed to type in God's full name on the Grumble. (I forget how to do an Official Grumble Paste)

I prefer to type the name of the Almighty with an asterisk, so that I am not using the whole name. It is actually an ancient tradition, and it appeals to my anachronistic side.... Weird Woman, eh?

[Elaine]

Artlady - what are you doing to be doing so much better in sales??? March has been extremely dead for me, but I am looking at it as a blessing as I prepare to open a new gallery and frame design center. If things continued to be this slow, I will be extremely worried!!

I know we are about 3 hours apart, but I'm curious as to what things you employ to have your numbers up. :D

[Framerguy]

Originally posted by EllenAtHowards:
You are allowed to type in God's full name on the Grumble. (I forget how to do an Official Grumble Paste)

I prefer to type the name of the Almighty with an asterisk, so that I am not using the whole name. It is actually an ancient tradition, and it appeals to my anachronistic side.... Weird Woman, eh?Ellen,

Not the least bit wierd. I had serious second thoughts about my post after I posted it. I meant no ill will with what I said. I thought that since you were new to the G that you possibly felt that it would be in bad taste to use God's name in full. I apologize if I offended you in any way.

Framerguy

[Framerguy]

I am glad to hear about all the work that everyone is getting. New Years to tax time is usually slow for me also, but, I too am having a busy time of things this year. I hope that it is an indication of things to come for spring.

Speaking of spring, where the heck is it?? We had an ice storm 2 days before Ron's visit and had some really confused robins slipping and sliding around the yard. By the time Ron got here it had gone into the high 50's and all the ice was gone.

Spring bulbs don't know whether to flower or curl up and die.

FGII

[tnframer408]

Framerguy:

Come SOuth, old son, if you want the spring. I've spent four hours per day for the past week fertilizing, weedkilling and transplanting in the 60+ degree days. Spread 8 cu.l yds of mulch around all my beds, the dogwooeds are about out, my peaches are in blossom, the raspberries are doing their little thing.

SPRING IS BUSTIN OUT ALL OVER

Have spent one hour per night eachnight in my jacuzzi trying to relax the back muscles.

O and UPS delivered 3000 ft. of Nielsen metal yesterday for my corporate job.

We are now busy.

About time too ;) ;)