Opinions Wanted want to stop framing contest?

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Julie Walsh

Julie Walsh

MGF, Master Grumble Framer
In Memorium
Rest In Peace

Gone but not forgotten
Joined
May 30, 2007
Posts
988
Loc
Toronto, Canada
Do my fellow grumblers want me to stop running the framing design contest?

It's near the end of Feb and only 18 have voted; and very few have submitted their designs. A contest is best when there are several entries.

I was under the impression that this was a welcomed thing to do.

If you want it to continue; would you be willing to submit your designs? Or do I stop it?

Opinions........?
 
thanks for your honesty! anyone else care to comment?
 
I had to re-read your title Julie, initially I thought you said "Want To Stop Framing" Contest instead of Want to Stop "Framing Contest". Would be an interesting concept!

I'd hate to see the contest go, I enjoy looking at everyone's competitive designs and getting inspired. I'll go head to the voting booth for you now.
 
Julie, you have found out what the rest of use that have tried to handle this went through. I would stop the contest or maybe just have an annual open category framing contest.
 
I think their frequency has diluted their appeal. Maybe if it were a bi-annual thing there would be more anticipation.

Something to sweeten the pot would be cool, but since there is no entry fee what exactly could that be? A virtual "framer of the month" perhaps? Or repeatedly saying "we're not worthy, we're not worthy!" A la Wayne's World?
 
I really enjoy it!!

But if it's a lot of work, I totally understand why you would stop it.

I was actually working on trying to enter when I can. More perople need to!

No one needs to :icon45: just for the few who enjoy it!

~ Mary
 
Julie, I agree that an annual or bi-annual contest would be enough and a lot less work on the volunteer who undertakes it. We have had suppliers give prizes in the past and I also think that would help to bring them back on board.

Thanks for taking this on though.
 
I don't think we should stop it...

Lately, I've been focused more on trying to find ways to generate business than follow the contests and voting... I'm a bit distracted at the moment. And I always seem to miss the ones I'd really like to enter. It's a timing thing.

But I think the number of people who have submitted items should be considered over the number of people who are voting. If that trickles down to a couple, then perhaps its not worth it.

If you want to lighten the burden, make it a quarterly thing with open categories...but don't do away with it. It gives us too many great ideas.

And other times, believe it or not....they designs are just so fantastic I can't decide between them!
 
Julie,

I'm rather new here so I haven't had much opportunity to take part but I like the idea of the contest. I would think that 1 or 2 a year might be easier to manage.

Its like Wednesday lunch at my mother in-laws house. She has the whole family over every week and IMHO since we get together all the time, now special occasions aren't that special.
 
I always vote in the contests - but perhaps once a month is too frequent. Once or twice a year sounds a lot better - then more time could be spent shilling for the contest. Have you entered yet? Bump. Have you voted yet? Bump.

Etc. :)
 
I dont want it to go away. I usually vote. I agree with scaling down, maybe twice a year.
 
Framar said:
Uh, Kathy......???????

Is Hopper Jack posting now? ;)
Click to expand...

No, it is me trying to post from my Blackberry. Not sure why I can't ever do it right. Should probably ask Hopper......

Anyway, my comment was:

To be brutally honest I had no idea any contests were being had. Could it be it needs more advertising? If it is just being posted in the Picture Frame Design forum I'm willing to bet most people don't venture down that far. Maybe sticky a notice on the main forum. But, doing it monthly is a huge undertaking I'd think once a year would make more sense.
 
I agree with most people here that the once-a-month frequency is quite daunting of a challenge, particularly because it causes the overspecialized nature to "keep things interesting" from an ever-changing, thematic point of view. I think quarterly or twice a year would be much more appropriate, as it won't seem as forced as it is now.
That being said, being a relative newbie framer, I haven't done most of the things that really fit into the specialized categories as of present, and don't really have that heaven-opening design when the time is right. This is complicated by the fact that, working in someone else's shop, I feel quite awkward in taking pictures of the work I do, for reasons I can't quite explain. Thus, I don't enter. However, I do enjoy the contest, and it really opens my mind to new design possibilities, and injects that wonderful communal pride of belonging to some loose-knit group of talented individuals who push me to do better in my own field.
So I guess the rambling comes down to the following from my perspective:
2-4 times per year
More open/accessible categories
Longer time for voting/entry (even though I know most people, including myself would potentially procrastinate no matter how big the timetable was).

Hope that helps.
 
I should just fess up that I have no idea what frame competition you are discussing.

It might be an advertising thing.

I entered the framing competition put on by Bella moulding nearly every month last year. Part of the reason that happens is it creates energy and anticipation int he back room, the other reason it happens is because we have one employee that is keen with the camera and the uploading. The rest of us think it is a royal hassle.
 
Nancy - the Grumble is comprised of 11 different sub-forums and the one where you will find the competitions is the Picture Frame Design sub-forum.
 
Framar, I clicked around and found the frame design sub catagory, but once inside the category it is still not clear to me where the picture is that is supposed to be voted on. I found Julies list of subjects for each month, but thats all.

I have been active on the grumble for over a year,never saw nor heard of the contest.Even knowing it now exists is not helping me to be involved. Too many layers. The fact that the contest is not super easy to access may be the problem. If the winner is in it for the glory, shouldn't the glory be more prevalent and up front to spin some additional enthusiasm?

Entering a competition is always a bit of a hassle, there has to be some kind of carrot. Does the winner get a ribbon?
 
Third time looking was the charm, tricked me calling it a canvas contest, 'aha principle' kicked in, that is this months theme.

I feel like a dork for not finding it right off, but I voted :)
 
Well, Nancy - I do believe you have just defined one of the problems with the contest - not enough people knew about it, stumbled across it, etc.

So it the contests were to continue on an annual or semi-annual basis, then they would have to be shouted about frequently.
 
Thanks for everyones input. Unless we can incorporate a talking avatar to tell you about the contest, I believe the sticky thread works. Granted, I don't visit all the sub-headings all the time, perhaps a sticky on the main grumble page asking you to vote on the frame design page would be in order.

Regarding voting: many visit but don't vote (I know that the view count doesn't correlate to votes) however even if this number was divided by 4, there should be more votes than we have had.

Here are the following changes to the contest:

Contest will run three times a year
Spring: March 21st
Summer: June 21st
Fall: Sept 21st

Why these dates? They are easy to remember when the seasons change and Winter has been eliminated since that is the busiest time for framers.

Themes need to be defined a bit in order to be fair to all who submit their work; it would be hard to put a beautifully matted piece up against a kick-A shadowbox.

So I ask again for input: what 3 groupings make sense to you?
 
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Yes. Thank you Julie for all your hard work. Even if it makes you :icon45: at times.

As per divisions: Works on Paper, Textile/Canvas, Shadowboxes/3-dimensional objects. These seem the most natural division to me...turns it more into an annual thing of the three major framing categories (with understanding that some things may fall in between).

Just my opinion, though.
 
I enjoy looking at the designs and usually check the subforum. However, I forget to vote, or just don't look. That has more to do with the frequency of the contest, so am happy it will be just the 3x a year.

Thanks for all the effort you put into this! (and I just voted, hope more people will too)
 
Please continue.

My only issue is i tend to forget about it. is there a way to announce the theme at the beginning of the month , to those of us interest?
perhaps in a private email. I know this is more work.
 
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