So how did your Saturday end??

Paul N

SPFG, Supreme Picture Framing God
Joined
Jun 10, 2005
Posts
17,354
Loc
CT, not far from the LI Sound
All the Christmas rush jobs were picked up Friday and Saturday. Except 2!

At 2:30 PM I was getting worried, so I called them and they were so happy to be reminded...came over in 10 minutes and got their stuff (hmmm, I thought these were rush jobs / Christmas presents!!).

Closed at 3:15, picked up some wine on the way and drove home (roads were pretty empty, to my surprise).

Merry Christmas.
 
We closed at 1:30 pm, and everyone had picked up their orders, including the complicated shadowboxes we saved for last. What were we thinking? No framing 'til Tuesday. Yea! What am I doing on The Grumble?
shrug.gif
I think I'm having trouble unwinding and need to
sleep.gif
.
 
My Saturday ended in....FREEDOM! I'm officially a former Michael's Framing Department Manager. Framed all day, then packed up my tools and my tired little body, said my good-byes, got well-wishes and congratulations from my co-workers and my boss and left at 6. I have 4 days to rest before I walk through the doors of my own new-to-me frame shop. It's crazy, starting this right after Christmas, traditionally the slowest time of year for framing, but it was now or never, so here I go.
Merry Christmas everyone. Get some well-deserved rest. I'm so tired tonight I can barely move, but we made a lot of people happy with their Christmas framing projects, and that's what makes my Christmas special. May the New Year bring all that you hope for.
 
No drymount disasters this year (down from 3 last year!), all delivered, everyone pleased (even the guy with the 6" Patriot Blue mat... due to the width of the art's paper, but he agreed that this was what should be done; and oh! how my fingers were crossed that he wouldn't freak when he saw it 'in the flesh')
Then we moved into 'family mode' dinner with the grands, opening the family presents. Lastly, 'church mode' and how glorious it was!(Episcopal, you know... lots of pomp) We sang two selections from Handel's Messiah and lots of carols. Fell into bed at 1:30am, and here I am! No more work until Tuesday!!!!!
 
You all deserve 2 days off, but I have to go back to work on Monday.

I am sure it will be deserted, but we have stuff to finish for the week after Christmas.
 
This is kinda funny and kinda sad.

Most of you know I'm more-or-less retired from framing, but I still do some and I have my workshop in a family home 50 miles from here.

Something came in for Christmas after I had made my last trip to the workshop and I framed it yesterday morning on the dining room table. I don't even wanna tell you where I got the supplies.

But I got it done and called the customer.

She never picked it up.

I did something yesterday I never imagined doing. I went to one of the largest regional malls in the state (or "mauls" as I usually call them) to pick up a few last-minute things. I go there very little and NEVER between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Incredibly, I parked about 20 feet from one of the entrances. There was hardly anyone there. The specialty store I went to had seven clerks and I was the only customer. The clerk who helped me told me that my purchase had made her day.

It was still fairly early in the day and I thought I'd walked into the Twilight Zone.
 
Yippa Whoopie! it is over for another year. Finished the shadowbox from underworld at noon on Saturday and I may never take on another one. This was a basketball Jersey from a noteable player that smoked. The shop smelled like smoke, I smelled like smoke, had to do it over twice because of errors in judgement. This thing may be worth something in a year or two but to us it has a negative value.

Merry Christmas to all!

Jack Cee
 
Maybe I'm the only one that is not happy to see the season over. I really enjoy the pace and the overwhelmingly number of great customers that are really having fun shopping

Maybe it's just the "retailer" in me

Every Christmas Eve, we run our "Annual Doo Dah Discount" where we give a nice discount to anyone that will sing the chorus to "Zippety Doo Dah" in the store. We get others to join in and have families do it together. We even have additional discounts to those that sing even more

You just can't sing that ditty without smiling

All in all 99% of the shoppers are having fun and we want to add to their enjoyable experience.

I'm sorry that some of us continue to focus on that 1% that just probably aren't very happy no matter

All those extra bucks in the bank sure helps to make it fun, too
 
Friday was our last day and won't go back until tues but up about 35% over last year Dec. vs. Dec.. Everyone picked up, called the one who didn't and she sounded terrible, apologized for not coming in but had the flu. Would've delivered but thought of that only today. O well.
 
Bob- that really is "experience" retailing!
:cool: Rick

Had the last couple of deadline pieces picked up Saturday morning, and actually did take in a repair/update job for one of my commercial clients. Spent much of the rest of the time till 2PM vacuuming and cleaning the shop, as I love coming back from vacation to a sparkling clean place. Then I rewarded myself with a great big cinnamon roll I got at the bakery when picking up the rolls for Sunday dinner at my in-laws'.

(Read in Homer Simpson Voice) Mmmmm...cinnamon rolls.
 
How did my day end before Christmas? I was flooded out, that how, see post on I need sympathy!
 
I closed at one o clock on saturday.I still had a couple of folk to pick stuff up that they had allegedly wanted in a hurry.I tried to call them but no answer so I just left.Id already told them I was shutting at twelve...

I then went and did my christmas shopping.

I wont be looking at another picture frame until the ninth of January.I took a right scunner to work in the week leading up to christmas and need a break from it and to see my babies at home. :D
 
I had one "rush" pickup left, but he called at 1:00 (I close at 2:00) and said he'd pick up on Tuesday )today). So, closed on time and everybody happy!

Bob, with my owner hat on I get depressed when the season ends, but with my back room framer's hat on, I'm thrilled to have gotten through it! How many midnights did you see leaning over the fitting table trying to get that lint off the black suede and you couldn't quite see straight anymore?
 
Hi Cliff-I hear you. But, I must say that we plan for the additional rush. We only had 5 hours of overtime this season

Everybody works hard, but there is an adrenalin type rush we all seem to get and we all seem to have fun with it. We see many great clients and put on a "few" extra pounds with all the goodies clients bring in. We have to share one of the worktables in the back for the trays of cookies and other stuff from vendors and clients

I hear all the time a level of frustration from many framers. I'm sorry they haven't figured out to make it more fun because for us it is

What's that old carol about "The most magical time of the year"? I may suggest that if you try and make it a more fun atmosphere, it just might be.

But, if you dread it, I'll pretty much guarantee it will be a burden
 
This year I spent considerable time touring shops. The one formula that I found for fun is PEOPLE.

In all fairness some I toured were closed. Many were open. Those that were full of people, both customers and employees, were typically happy fun places to be.

That’s one reason I like the busy season. There are often several customers and this year I had help. She would wait on customer while I framed. We would often joke and cut up with some of the customers. It's a joyous feeling of bustle and busyness. Now its back to some soft music and an uncomfortable quiet when the one lone customer breaks the silence with the opening of the door before more uncomfortable silence.

Bob I miss it too. Ohh well Valentines day is right around the corner.
 
I have to say this was my 18th Christmas season, but my first as an owner. Every customer picked up, everyone was happy. I always liked the rush of the season, and every Dec 23rd I would go from hysterical laughing to crying, as well as get into a knock down drag out fight with my boss because I felt he was abusive and unappreciative to his employees. (The mother lioness in me was very protective of the wonderful people I managed, that was always the reason for our annual fight). What I am long winded-ly trying to say is , even though I already have a knot in my stomach on how will I survive until summer, I couldn't have enjoyed my season more. The work, hours, worry was all worth it. Every customer made me feel so great. Framing to me has always felt like I was creating something special or helping someone else achieve a special project they wanted to give and couldn't do them selves. I hope this is the same for everyone else. I have a feeling it is.
I haven't been a part of this for long, but I am so glad I am. I hope that I can contribute to this wonderful forum more and more. But I have to say that I am grateful that it is here. Everyday I look to see what is going on. I never fail to learn something new. This is the first time I have been around framers who actually enjoy sharing, learning, teaching and laughing about custom framing. This forum keeps giving me the courage to make my new place the success I know it will be.
I am only getting mushy because I read a very long thread earlier that disturbed me a bit. So instead of expressing myself there, I've chosen the glass is half full route and just wanted to say thanks for everyone being here and Happy New Year.

PS I decided on a Leopard Gecko for my boys for Chritmas. HIs name is George and despite the toys he was their favorite present. My 10 year old's 2nd fav was a mini wood working shop. Ahh a boy after his own mama's heart

Sorry it was so long, but thanks for giving me a place to express. Now let's all hold hands and sing camp fire songs
icon21.gif


Steph
 
Back
Top