Do we need a spokesperson?

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ArtLady

SGF, Supreme Grumble Framer
Founding Member
Joined
Oct 13, 1999
Posts
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Lawrenceville, Georgia
Since the missinformation about framing keeps coming up in magazines, perhaps we could come up with a format or a volunteer to write the editors of these publications to state our views on the misconceptions being popularized by commercial suppliers of some of the products. As a group we do have a collective power. It would give any response a worthy support.

We could collectively monitor those magazines and make the editors aware of our existence and our points of view. In addition we would post the addresses in this central place and help to keep the public informed. Since missinformation will always come up as long as there is a vested interest in promoting a product.

Does it make sense for those writers to come here and search for information?

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Timberwoman
AL
I cut the mat, I pet the =^..^= cat.
Dahl Fine Art & Frame Design
Shapahl Fine Art

[This message has been edited by ArtLady (edited November 11, 2001).]

[This message has been edited by ArtLady (edited November 11, 2001).]
 
Framing Police, I like it! AL, I know you are serious, but this could so easily turn into a warped topic.
 
No, No, NO, NO, NO, NO framing police. Just some PR like George W. is doing in Afghanistan. If you don't tell people they will not know. They need to know what we think. Not all of us are as articulate as some of the others. But we need to be heard. We do not have a Bainbridge or Crescent Mat board company behind us with a person dedicated to making their product look good. But collectively we can make a difference.

Perhaps, politics should be my next vocation.

Perhaps, Santa could bring me soap box for Xmas.
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Timberwoman
AL
I cut the mat, I pet the =^..^= cat.
Dahl Fine Art & Frame Design
Shapahl Fine Art

[This message has been edited by ArtLady (edited November 11, 2001).]
 
Paulette-I understand your view completely. But unfortunately, it's a little swimming upstream.

For those of you that, when reading things like the UV glass issue, feel like chalk just screeched across the board, I feel for you.

The same happens to me when I hear so many experts extoll businees advice. That to those of us, fortunate enough, to have some formal training in that area, is like masking tape to the back of a LE print.

The problem comes from doing as you suggest, but being rebuffed because the people on the other end don't know any better, or worse don't care. I'm sure the editor of that Needleart mag doesn't know the answer and probably doesn't care, especially if the writer is a perennial gadfly in the NeedleArt trade. And worse, it probably isn't the first time it's been published. And you can bet there are those, that having heard it repeated, have done so, also. And you know there are those that have done it that way for years, and will go to the wall defending it.

And the person pointing it out comes off looking like a misguided know-it-all. Sometimes, after making an honest attempt to educate, it's just easier to no bother any longer. I speak from experience.

Until the corrected information comes Top Down from the trade pubs, it's just too difficult to go Bottom Up. I would caution anyone from attempting such a Quixotic mission.
 
It's starting to sound like The Grumble is not only the premier forum for framers, it's also evolving into a trade organization.

John
 
Small steps. One letter at a time. Starting now. We can do it. We can be relentless. We can be persistent. We can influence public opinion.

We can do it.

We can do it.

I have stamps. You have stamps. We can do it.

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Timberwoman
AL
I cut the mat, I pet the =^..^= cat.
Dahl Fine Art & Frame Design
Shapahl Fine Art
 
Paulette - I agree with you.

We could do it right here on the Grumble. Anyone who encountered an article like the one Lance mentioned could post either the article or a synopsis, along with the name of the publication and an editor's address.

Then any framer who felt inclined to respond could do so.

Maybe we'd be ignored and maybe it would be just tossing postage stamps at windmills, but I'd feel better for having made the effort.

Kit

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Time flies like an arrow; fruit flies like a banana
 
Once, on our phone bill, my husband saw a call to "CBS", which was actually Cane and Basket Supply, but he thought it was the TV CBS, and it didn't surprise him. I'm known for jousting at windmills, especially when it comes to customer service. My idea is, "If it were my business,I'd want to know!"

Betty
 
And TV craft shows too. My boyfriend delights in telling me "The lady on TV just told us we can save a lot of money making out own mats for picture frames out of paper grocery bags"

Where do I write????
 
You know, on a serious note, maybe we should write articles on framing, not stuff like is in Decor or PFM for the trade, but written in more layman terms for some of these magazines. If they're like most magazines, they're always looking for material. (Note the requests we've been getting lately) All they need is someone who knows what they're talking about.

Write a letter to the editor asking about a "need" for this type of article, explaining the damage that poor habits can cause. Be REAL "supportive" of their "quest" for this type of info. (Does anybody remember studying "Julius Caesar" in high school? That speech that Marc Antony (sp?) made about Brutus has stuck in my mind for 30+ years now. "But Brutus is a "noble" person...." yeah right) Or as old timers say "you can catch more flies with honey than vinegar..."

Maybe we're on to something.

Betty
 
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by AnneL:
Shouldn't this be something our trade association should be dealing with? My photography trade association has people who do just that. Maybe now that the whole alliance thing is behind them the PPFA can look at it.

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Anne: you are entirely correct. Something that we have been unable to do, as your trade association, was to produce a monthly magazine for the industry (tried several years ago, but $$ ceased its exsistence). As part of the affiliation, you will soon start receiving the PMA mag, which will begin to start adding picture framing articles and information. It will take time, however, to get alot of content relevant to our industry, so have patience. However, you should find other useful information (eg: business articles) and other things that you will get use out of.

This will be a huge boost for the industry. Not so much that there will be another trade publication, but more so that it will be standing on its own, and underwritten by the association for the industry, which is here to serve the framer, not advertisers.

And if you communicate to either here in Richmond or Jackson, MI as to what other type of articles are needed, you will probably be easily accomidated.

Good luck to all, Vic
 
Whether we have patients, clients, or accounts, they're all customers! I read every business article I can get my hands on regardless of what type of business it originally refers to. I love INC magazine, although a lot of it is beyond my scope of business, I still get something I can use every month. I'm looking forward to receiving this magazine (when I'll squeeze in time to read it is another matter!)

Betty

(One of my favorite business books is "Sacred Cows Make the Best Burgers!")
 
Perhaps we should start with Dear Martha...tell her to put away her hot glue gun! We had a customer bring in a beautiful antigue shadow puppet. She was so proud that she had glued fabric to regular foamboard and taken her hot glue gun, like she saw on Martha Stewart and globbed down this delicate puppet....the glue splats showed through and removing it would have destroyed the puppet. Shame Martha! Shame, Shame, Shame!
frown.gif


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Amy, CPF
CBF Portland,Maine
right on the Bay
 
Vic, it's great that we are getting a magazine finally. However, what I was referring to was someone official from the PPFA, or FACTS for that matter, who would write to authors of articles in other types of magazines and newspapers and set them straight about the proper way to frame things when they are spreading misinformation. Coming from an official source like a trade association it would carry more weight than coming from an individual framer. It's all part of educating the public and making sure people are aware of the proper standards.

Amy, don't even get me started on Martha!!
rolleyes.gif


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Anne LeBouton
 
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Amy:
Perhaps we should start with Dear Martha...tell her to put away her hot glue gun! We had a customer bring in a beautiful antigue shadow puppet. She was so proud that she had glued fabric to regular foamboard and taken her hot glue gun, like she saw on Martha Stewart and globbed down this delicate puppet....the glue splats showed through and removing it would have destroyed the puppet. Shame Martha! Shame, Shame, Shame!
frown.gif


<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Well yes, we would all like to either slap Martha silly, set her straight, or both. (and what about Christopher Lowell? Nothing could set him straight.) Martha, however, has elevated herself to the status of Goddess, which I'm sure insults Edie, our true Goddess. Martha sits in her achingly tasteful ivory tower, constructed out of thousands of tusks from elephants she raised on her Turkey Hill estate, ready at a moment's notice to rain down upon anyone bold enough to question her wisdom a withering storm of wrath and fury. So while I would love to make the effort to gently rectify her misconceptions, I fear it would be in vain. Alas, alas.
 
Poor old Martha. Is there no one we admire or respect anymore. Is financial success so foreign to us that we look for the largest and most successful targets to attack. To what end? To somehow make us look better? That by tearing down someone at that level, it somehow elevates us?

I was at a gathering recently and struck up a conversation with a person involved in community theatre. She decried the crass commercialism in the Phoenix Opera Guild; that it somehow lost the "essence" of the theatre. That somehow making money by selling advertising and seeking corporate money defiled the product, all the while bemoaning how her little group struggled to even keep the lights on. How they were the true guardians of the theatre; untainted by financial concerns, protecting the "essence" of the theatre.

And here's the kicker as she prattled on. She then said "And, don't even get me started about Broadway productions"

What do you think retailers outside this trade would think of our business skills and philosophies?
 
There are many people we admire and respect, but Martha isn't one of them when she presents herself as an expert on everything but is often spreading misinformation instead. They should take the poor, glued down puppet to Antiques Roadshow and have the real experts look at it and tell this lady how she ruined the value of it. This has nothing to do with whether or not she is successful and makes money. It has to do with the bad advise she gives.

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Anne LeBouton

[This message has been edited by AnneL (edited November 16, 2001).]
 
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by AnneL:
There are many people we admire and respect, but Martha isn't one of them when she presents herself as an expert on everything but is often spreading misinformation instead. They should take the poor, glued down puppet to Antiques Roadshow and have the real experts look at it and tell this lady how she ruined the value of it. This has nothing to do with whether or not she is successful and makes money. It has to do with the bad advise she gives.

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Thank you Anne. I really have a love/hate relationship with Martha, and it has nothing to do with how much money she's making. Some of her ideas are fantastic, but as Anne said, she presents herself as The Expert on Everything while often giving bad advice.

Plus, from what I hear, she's the essence of evil once the cameras stop rolling. She nearly ran down an acquaintance of mine in NYC and then screamed at her for having the nerve to touch her Volvo. To borrow a quote from The Women, "There's a name for people like her, but it's not used in polite society, outside a kennel."

And Christopher Lowell! A couple weeks ago I saw him show how to frame gloves, hankies, and a wedding dress. I thought I was going to lose my lunch.
 
I say let's invite Martha and Christopher to our next trade show in Las Vegas and book them into a few classes. Sounds to me like they could use a class on object mounting and framing and it might not hurt to let them sit through the CPF recertification class. Both of these people influence a lot of consumers and if we could educate them they may drive a lot of customers into our shops.

Bob
 
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Bob Shirk CPF:
I say let's invite Martha and Christopher to our next trade show in Las Vegas and book them into a few classes. Sounds to me like they could use a class on object mounting and framing and it might not hurt to let them sit through the CPF recertification class. Both of these people influence a lot of consumers and if we could educate them they may drive a lot of customers into our shops.

Bob<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

That actually sounds like a good idea! It could further their education and get some publicity for our industry.
 
I really think this idea has potential. I have forwarded a copy to The PPFA . William Parker,John Ranes, Jim Miller and Derek Vanderberg Are you listening?

[This message has been edited by BUDDY (edited November 17, 2001).]
 
I have posted my idea to invite Martha on the Hitch Hikers ole. I'll let you know what what shows up there.
 
C,mon folks. We ALL know Martha's perfect and that her advice is sound.

If you doubt it, just ask her
smile.gif


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Michael LeCompte CPF
 
Inviting Martha and Christopher to classes in Las Vegas sounds reasonbable, doesn't it? The opportunity to improve their knowledge seems like it should be motivation enough for them to come.

I don't want to be a "wet blanket" here, but I doubt that either of them would do it. If they had any such interest, they would have been in classes a long time ago. Let's face it -- the cost of such things is not an issue for either of them.

I bet their advice is rarely challenged by unknowing consumers. How often do either of them address framing issues, anyway? How could they be convinced they need what might be seen as in-depth framing education? From their perspective, it might seem something like a window washer learning how to make glass.

And chances are the personalities themselves would never even learn of the invitation. Celebrity bookings are done through agents or publicists, who would perceive the invitation as some kind of a ploy to associate their names with something. They would probably sense a hidden agenda and demand the usual appearance fee. And even if we could get somebody to pay them, that would be a bad idea, as it would only serve to reinforce their false perception that the invitation has strings attached. Our purpose -- to offer them education -- would be lost.

But maybe I'm completely wrong about this. If you want to pursue the idea, the Las Vegas show might be the best opportunity. I don't know what role PPFA will play in it, but Picture Framing Magazine sponsors that show and its education. I suggest you send your suggestions to their Manalapan, New Jersey headquarters.
 
Martha Stewart doesn't really worry me one way or another. I find that most of the stuff she shows people how to do is "trendy" and doesn't become a permanent component in a person's home. What's all the fuss about?

I also have to give her credit for sending customers to all of us framers. She plants the seeds for ideas for items to be framed. Many people will not tackle those projects and will bring them in to us to do the actual work. Then it becomes the framer's job to educate the customer as to the proper framing techniques. That's the good part. If someone decides to do the project on their own, so be it. They'll know (after time passes) that the glue was a stupid idea.

I think Martha Stewart would be amused to receive an invitation to teach her how to frame pictures.

Janet
 
The original question was "Do we need a spokesperson?" and we went on from there to discuss various sourses of framing misinformation. The official spokesperson of the framing industry is The Art and Framing Council.

My thought about inviting Martha, Chris and some magizine editors was to show them that if you want to frame something of value it should be done the best way possible by a professional. Let them know that there is a lot of thought and knowledge and care that go into our framing packages and one of the best ways to do that is to show them the education required to properly execute our work. As for inviting these people they may see it as an opportunity to produce a show or an article that would interest their viewers and readers. The worst that they can say is "no thank you".

Bob
 
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