Framing schools?

ilinkah

Grumbler in Training
Joined
Jan 14, 2002
Posts
13
Loc
Fremont,NH
I am in the process of remodeling a building on my property with the idea of opening a custom framing shop. I am a carpenter who wants a less physical way to make a living after having organ transplant. I have read a lot about framing, am set up with mat cutter, studio, chop area, and have put together about a dozen matted frames. What is the best way to gain knowledge from here? Seminars at shows? What is value of typical one week at say, New England Framing School at Keene, NH close to where I am? I feel comfortable with how far I've come with frame joining accurately yet of course feel quite the neophyte at the whole thing. Suggestions?
 
Welcome! Well the grumble is a good place to start. The classes at the shows are usually excellent. I've never been to a school, the previous owner taught me the basics, but the people I've talked to who have say it was worth it. And I've learned much more from there from reading books, Decor and Picture Framing Magazine, from classes, from being a member of the PPFA and going to the local seminars, and from studying for and taking my CPF exam. I bet with your background your frames look fantastic!
 
Hi ilinkah;

Welcome to the grumble. As AnneL said, this is a great place to start, I joined in December and have found it quite helpful. I am relatively new to framing as well. I took a one week course here in Connecticut which was a basic course for people just starting out. I found it was worthwhile, but it did not offer any intermediate and advanced courses. I believe the school in Keene offers all three (beginner, intermediate, advanced). Aside from that, I spent some time learning from a friend in the business and purchased various books and videos available through Decor Magazine and have found them very helpful and am always refering back to them when necessary. Feel free to e-mail me if you want a rundown of what I have and where to order them from.

Good luck with your new career, you'll love it!

-Mike.
 
Welcome! To the Grumble and to the exciting world of custom picture framing!

Do you know that each and every one of the participants in this forum of professional discussion have ALL been exactly where you are now. Sometimes we get so engrossed in our work and careers that we don't realize that, way back when, none of us knew beans about framing! I hope you find the learning and the broadening of your horizons as rewarding as I did. And I mean that on a much higher level than making bucks. I can and have done that in a couple of other ways. There is something in framing for a craftsman who likes to work with his hands and create something beautiful from a pile of raw materials that is addicting. I never tire of coming to work. I am always looking for that next challenge. It gives me so much satisfaction seeing a client's eyes light up when they come to pick up a piece that I created for them. Most times they have no clue how the finished product will look. And the look of amazement on their faces tell me that I gave them much more than they expected. That makes me feel real good.

Framerguy
 
Well said, Framerguy! I especially love Christmas when I think of how many "trees" I'm under!

Betty
 
Welcome,
I believe I'm in the minority of having never framed a picture before I bought a frame shop (I also hired the resident framer who had 10 years experience). The previous owner stayed on a couple of months and taught me an enormous amount. 18 months later I went to LJ framing school and learned so much I was amazed. In retrospect I think it would be hard to attend one of the schools without some prior knowledge, because the work was Fast and Furious... (couldn't help myself there, just watched that movie with my son). Six years later I've hired a different framer with 16 years experience, read everything I could get my hands on, taken business classes, plan to take classes in September at the Atlanta show, and still am amazed at what I learn... most of it from The Grumble.
 
Thanks everyone for your helpful comments and support. I was feeling terminally unique in this perdicament and now I see many of you have been here. Guess I'll be around the Grumble as I persue my goal of becoming a framer. My best to all. Mark
 
Mark:

Your interest in learning is a good sign. I hope you will take all the good advice given; build a comprehensive library and attend the courses. And that's not a short term suggestion -- your learning should be ongoing. The March trade show in New York would be a good place to start. www.decor-expo.com

One point nobody has mentioned yet is that running a framing business isn't like it used to be. For decades framers could do OK with craft expertise and toil. But today, it's also essential to know how to run a business.

We have sophisticated competition now. Decisions are more complex; marketing and fiscal mistakes can be terminal. Our industry is littered with failed businesses run by excellent framers who couldn't earn profits consistently.

Congratulations on your successful organ transplant, and good luck in framing.
 
Re: picture framing business career inquiries

Hi,

I am researching the picture framing business as a possible career change. I was wondering if anyone here could advise me on a book to read as a starting point. And also a possibly a class, club, and or organization in the New York City that I could look into to see if this is something suited for me.

On a separate note, if anyone would like to share any pros and cons of the business with me, I would very much appreciate it.

Many thanks!!

AJ
 
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