Congratulations Betty!!..................

[Framerguy]

I got the September issue of Picture Framing magazine and guess who wrote their guest editorial??

Yup! Our own "caning lady", Betty Newman!

Congratulations, Betty on a very well written and objective editorial on the merits of being a home based framer. I started out there myself years ago and I know what it's like to eat dinner next to a mat cutter on the kitchen table. (Now THAT'S real "basement" framing!)

(I hope somebody asks about Betty's new book..................)

Framerguy

 

[Curly's Mom]

Congrats, Betty! Saw it last evening. Well thought out and written. The main difference I see is you don't "think" or "act" like a basement framer. (oh oh, I better watch out now! )

 

[MarkG1]

Nice job Betty! Congratulations!

You don't look that short in your picture!

 

[Kit]

You go, girl!

My magazines are always the last to arrive, since we still rely on pony express out here in the corn fields. I'm looking forward to reading your article.

Tell us about the book. Pleeeeeze???

Kit

 

[Emibub]

Betty, I just read the article. Good for you! I wish I had your way with words. I think it is people like you that force the industry to understand the home based framer. Kind of like I have decided to force people to understand the
X-Michaels framer. I'm afraid I still have a ways to go though.

I figure I will approach PFM on "How to Start Your Own Frame shop". They can just run a disclaimer advising the readers "The words in this editorial are in no way associated with the magazine. In order to get better use out of the article we actually suggest you do the exact opposite of what the author suggests."

 

[B. Newman]

Wow, thanks guys. Sorry I haven't replied sooner, it's been a wild (more than normal) week. I have looked in a few times, but just haven't had time to sit down and post much.

I really enjoyed doing that article. From all that I'm seeing here and on the HH, I think there are a lot more homebased framers than most folks realize. And even within established "main street" businesses, many of them started at home. I think we have a responsibility to teach professionalism (technical as well as business) regardless of a shop's location. No, Curly, I don't think like a basement framer now, but I once did. It has been a growth process for me, and it can be for others as well. That's one area that I can really address from experience. Plus, as I said in my bio, I have been studying marketing and customer service for over 20 years. And I look at it with a "common sense" approach.
Believe me, where I'm located, if I didn't know how to market, I wouldn't have any business!

Oh Kit, you probably don't want to get me started on my book! I am so excited! This one, "The Beginner's Guide to Caning and Seatweaving, Book One: Splint Reed and Binder Cane" is the first in a series of caning "how-to" booklets. This one took about 2 years to put together, but the next one should be ready in a few months. (See, this is what I do when I'm sitting at hospitals!)

As I posted to Seth a few weeks ago, we chose the "self publishing" route so that we could be in total control of the book. When a book is published by a major publisher, yeah they pay you to publish it, but they are in control of where it is sold, for what price, and when it will go out of print. Now, I am in control of that.

We did have it printed by a major book printer in Nashville, TN (ever hear of the "Life's Little Instruction Book" series? They did that one.) Books is all they do. Everything from small paperback books to hardbacks with jackets.

I already have one big supplier in CT that is stocking my booklet and it must be selling very well judging from the reorders. I've also had 12 other suppliers request review copies of the book.

Thanks again for everyone's support and encouragement. I really appreciate you all, more than you probably realize.

Betty

 

[jframe]

Way to go Betty! I think self publishing is a growing industry. I wonder if there is a web site for self published books? Have to check that out.

This one took about 2 years to put together, but the next one should be ready in a few months. (See, this is what I do when I'm sitting at hospitals!)

[

As the saying goes, when God gives you lemons, make lemonade. Waiting at medical offices and hospitals can be a real drag. I now look at as my reading time so I don't have to feel guilty about reading so much at home. I'll bet if you might feel a little bit guilty if you took (considering that you have caning and framing waiting for you, not to mention the family and garden!) that much time to write at home.

 

[B. Newman]

Originally posted by jframe:
I think self publishing is a growing industry. I wonder if there is a web site for self published books?

Check out www.parapublishing.com Or get the book "The Self-Publishing Manual." It tells you everything you need to do to self-publish in an easy to understand, and step by step manner. I could have never done it without this book.

Betty

 

[nona powers]

I finally recieved my DECOR and really enjoyed your article. Hoorah for all home based framers, they are not the enemy. I was a retail framer for around 20 years, but when I found I couldn't teach, write and run a business, I had to let the shop go. A lot of my customers didn't want to let me go, so I frame out of my home now. My husband actually helps me and we do OK.

Over the years as I've traveled around the country teaching, I've found several shops that are very professional even though home based. besides, that term is not very illustrative of the variety of home based businesses there are. One wonderful shop in Pennsylvania was the cutest place I've ever seen and it was in her garage, the house was on a main highway and she does very well. One lady I know started in her basement, grew so much she finally got a retail sales place, very small and still does the framing from the basement. She runs a bigger business than most retail shops.

Most framers think the home based framer can charge so much less, but that's not true in my case. I buy my frames chopped because I have no room for storage, no saws, no joiners. I hire someone to put them together at his house. I pay the maximimum amount for every piece of matboard and frame because my volume is not large enough for discounts. I can't get deliveries because I'm in my home so I pay shipping for everything. I base my charges on my costs and I charge a minimum of $88 for a fabric mat for example even for an 8 x 10, because I have to cover my costs and make a profit on everything I order and I don't price on using up scraps. I charge more than most retailers, but I do deliver a good product so I have as much work to do as I can handle.

Betty was right, it's the professionalism, not the location. Keep writing Betty, I like the way you express yourself.

Nona Powers, CPF, GCF
www.nonapowers.com