Corey

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corey

Grumbler in Training
Joined
Jan 10, 2007
Posts
6
Loc
Englewood FL
Hi Everyone,I've been reading your posts for a couple of months now and thinking about owning a frame shop for 2-3 years now.I own a screenprinting business and although I enjoy the artistic end of it I'm tired of running a job of the same design over &over its very boring.It sounds like you all love framing even with all the usual business headaches which all small business owners encounter.I'm thinking of going to West Art to learn the trade any one been there?Or can you suggest anyone else who can give a good one on one learning experience? Any Ideas on how to proceed would be great such as starting a new shop buy existig shop ,type of areas to locate shop I'm open to all your suggestions.
Thanks,Corey
 
Hey Corey,

Welcome to the Grumble.

As far as learning the basics is concerned, there are several schools for framing. Ads for most of them can be found in issues of “Picture Framing Magazine.”

Without straining myself too much by looking it up, undoubtedly there is one run by Larson-Juhl. (They offer them several times a year). Unless they have a distribution facility closer to you than Atlanta, you may have to travel to Georgia for it.

I would suggest that at the very least that you grab subscriptions to Picture Framing Magazine and Decor Magazine. In both publications, there will be classified ads for used equipment, so you can save a bundle when you finally decide to purchase. Both have web sites which I am too lazy to look up.

Check out the PPFA (Professional Picture Framers Association). They have a bookstore which you might find helpful, too.
 
Hi Corey and welcome to the Grumble. You'll find this forum one of the most valuable assets and I'm sure you'll be able to contribute with both your business experience and your knowledge of silkscreening.

I would highly suggest getting some hands on experience by seeing if you can find someone to take you on part-time as an apprentice...maybe even offering to work for no salary depending on your circumstances. You could exchange your help for the knowledge base you'd learn and possibly "shop time" whereby you could practice what you learn on some of your own artworks or photos.

It may be difficult to find someone willing to go with such a plan. I have offers quite often like that, but am afraid of the interuption of work flow and possible damage. If you're ambitious enough to pay your dues by offering to start by cleaning and organizing samples, etc... (the kind of work small frame shops seem to never get done)... that may be seen as a benefit. You'd learn quite a bit by osmosis that would be invaluable if you decide to pursue framing on your own.

An ideal situation would be to find a small shop where the owner is thinking of retiring in a few years and you could potentially facilitate that if the chemistry worked. A going concern is usually better unless you can operate for several years at a deficit until you build your own clientelle.

Good luck and I'm glad you stopped "lurking" and jumped in!

Dave Makielski
 
Welcome to the Grumble corey. Remember to check back here often, so many things to learn and so many talented (and fun) people to learn it from...
 
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