Career Possibilites in Framing?

matt medium

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Joined
Apr 28, 2006
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32
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Houston
I've been framing for about a year now and have enjoyed it very much but as a career what are the possibilites? what is the highest level of framing/conservation? how do you get to such a level?

thanks,
matt
 
Since framing covers a broad spectrum, from mass-production of framed art to hand-carved and gilded frames, it would seem there are possiblities. As with many fields, your direction should be in tune with your strengths and what you find satisfying.
I have the same basic question as you, and have found the information on the Grumble very helpful for seeing where the business is headed and making me think about what niche I want to be in.
As for the second part, if that is your direction, there are standards, resources and training available, and if you frame everything to these standards, it will just be second nature to you.

Joseph
 
I’m not sure it is best to lump these two (framing/conservation) together because they can mean vastly different fields.

I think owning your own business is one goal to consider in framing. You may need schooling to understand running the business side. One framer I know is heavy into interior design. He is a talented painter, builds custom displays and supervises installations. The sky’s the limit.

When you say conservation, I’m thinking of the preservation and restoration of artworks and other media. A strong education in chemistry, methods, material and tools of the conservator would be necessary. Perhaps our resident conservator could help here with what you need to do to get into that field.

John
 
As John points out, a career in conservation requires very extensive education at the post-graduate level. Since conservators make changes in
works of art, they must be extensively trained.
Preservation aims at maintaining art and artifacts, with minimal change and can be persued
in a framing context. Training through the classes
available from the PPFA, PFM, and other rganizations is critical to success in reservation framing, as are business classes from those sources.


Hugh
 
It also depends on your area.

If you are a good framer in New York City you can make 25 -30 an hour to start.

It would be dramatically lower if your in a rural area.

I enjoy framing (most of the time) so I opted to open a shop. You won't make a lot of money in the begining but there are other options in the framing comunity.

You could also rep a line of mouldings and or a company.

Just look at wizsteve, he is the lead programmer (I think, or else I just gave him a promotion) for wizard Integrated framer and he works at a frame shop on saturdays.

You can incorporate this trade full or part time depending on your income and time needs.

Good luck whatever you do.
 
I think you could go alot of different directions in the faming industry,

Here are just a few to start thinking about...

Owner or Manager of a Frame Gallery,

Sales Rep for a large moulding company,

Owner/ manager of a wholesale moulding company,

Framer and Frame designer for a large Art Gallery

all the way to the garage framer.

The money varies tremendously, and It does begin with education.

It's up to you as to the limits in this industry,

also, far as conservation, I beleive it to be a whole other realm in the industry.

Jennifer
 
Matt, you are my first post..Thanks. I purchased a frame shop and Gallery from an individual about two years ago. I'm not one to just wait for customers to walk in the door, I tend to think I create much of my business. I take much time and get out in the community and network as much as I can, anything to get my name and business in peoples memory. After all is said and done, you have to deliver the goods....quality, quality and then top it off with some quality. Read Small Business for Dummies and get a solid business plan together. Good Luck, as with many industries, you control your destiny with the time and passion you invest.
 
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