It's in the Can . . .

Well we had some fun today.  We finally got around to having some professional photographs taken of our workshops.  We need some pictures for our new website (yes, we are eventually going to update the website!) and no matter how good your camera is, and how well you know Photoshop (I use it every day), there is no substitute for a professional photographer with genuine creative skills. 

We’ve worked with Clipston based photographer Rob Leveritt for quite a while now, so he got the dodgy brief of trying to take interesting shots of picture framing in progress!  He didn’t even flinch when I asked for some shots to represent our laminating and dry mounting service!!!  Exciting stuff indeed!

The main thing we learnt is that the only time you should wear white shirts & blouses whilst picture framing is for a photo shoot - it’s a grubby business!

So the make-up has been packed away, the models have retired to their Winnebago and the shots are ‘in the can’.  We await the result with great interest.

Have a look at Rob’s web site, www.robertleverittphotography.com  he has a really unique flair for getting really natural portrait photography - so different from those factory-line portrait studios.

Summer's Coming . . . ?

I’ve just noticed that April’s blog I titled as “Winter’s Gone”.  Well that was premature wasn’t it!  But in case you need something positive to cling to, the great summer of 1976 didn’t start until June 22^nd, apparently, and it rained for the early weeks.  We can but hope!

Jubilee week has been and gone and we decided that we must be the only business that didn’t manage to apply even the most tenuous link between our products and the Queen’s big week (surely a red white and blue frame would look rubbish!) .  It became quite amusing seeing what other businesses managed to promote as being to “celebrate the jubilee”.

We are now fully in the flow of exhibition season again.  The deadlines are getting shorter, the feeling of panic is rising amongst some artists (and us) and some of the exhibition rules on sizes, finishes and hangings appear to need a degree in deciphering!  Happy days!

Winter's Gone

Well here we are in spring again.  It’s been nice to have the workshop doors open again and to wear a few less layers.

Jess mastering 'The Beast'!

Every time we think we’ve got the workshop sorted we found ourselves having change it all around again (with lots of upheaval ).  The latest addition to the workshop is a very nice pneumatic twin mitre saw  . . . . I know you’re impressed !  We decided to upgrade to this rather large piece of equipment as it gives a far better cut allowing us to get an even nicer finish on the frame corners.  It also lets us offer some frames that we couldn’t cut before, either due to size or the type of material.

My simple assumption that we could just buy a mitre saw were, as ever, naïve (my learning curve continues!) I soon found out we had to buy and fit an enormous compressor to drive it and a complex (and noisy) dust extraction system.  I think any illusions about picture framing being a cute traditional craft are rapidly disappearing !

Eater is a few days away, so I hope you all enjoy the break. 

Prizes, prizes . . . . .

For a few years now we’ve been pleased to put up a prize for Joules Clothing’s big fundraising day for Children in Need.  This year’s winner was the lovely Marie-Claire, shown collecting her prize of a large canvas print we’d produced from one of her own photos. Congratulations Marie-Claire.

A Belated Happy New Year

Well as January ends we are back in the swing of it (as is everyone!).   We still can’t comprehend that we’ve been in the new unit for a year.  Where did that year go?

It’s that time of year when all the suppliers change their pricing and we too have to do a few sums.  But nothing looks too bad this year so hopefully no hefty increases for anyone.

Our main news for this month is that we have been joined full-time by Jessica.  Jess came to us in October last year after graduating from DeMontfort University with a BA (hons) in Craft & Design for just a few weeks of work experience.  From that point on we haven’t let her go!  But in all seriousness it’s great to have someone whose skills, interests and qualifications are perfectly aligned with what we do – and it’s certainly great to have another very capable pair of hands.

Our great mystery since we have been at our unit is our front door.  For those who haven’t been, it has a sign on it saying ‘come straight in’ and there is the huge industrial signage overhead with our name and logo on it.  There is also normally our van parked outside.  So why then do loads of customers walk straight into the neighbouring business - a cleaning machinery workshop!?  It’s baffled us all and must be some kind of optical illusion.  We’ve all stood outside trying to see why, but we’re baffled.  Fortunately Dan, next door, is a good chap and joyfully brings everyone back to our doorstep.   I may post a photo next month.  Rob

And the Winner is . . . . . . .

We we’re delighted that Keith & Hazel Jackson’s name was first out of the hat on an inaugural prize draw. You can see Keith collecting their ‘free framing’ prize which they used to frame paintings that were drawn by an elephant! Most of us agree that it looks a lot better than a lot of stuff in the tate Modern !

Well Christmas has (virtually) arrived so just time to wish you all very Happy Christmas and offer our thanks to all our customers who have kept us going through these difficult times. I’m sure 2012 will be an interesting year and we wish you all a peaceful break and our best wishes for the New Year, whatever it might hold !

Rob

Tidy Workshops, Willing Helpers and Too Much Technology - it's all too much!

September went, October went (I got another year older) and now we’re having to think of Christmas (or not!).

Nothing earth shattering has occurred but we’ve been busy. The workshop has had a spruce up with yet more storage added (will we need a bigger unit soon?) and we hosted the Fine Art Trade Guild regional meeting (which is why the workshop got spruced up).

For the last six weeks or so we’ve been joined by Jess who is a graduate in Design & Craft. We’re busy showing her how to makes loads of mistakes in business with the hope that she’ll go on to make her own fortune and remember us in her will. It’s actually been great having another pair of very capable hands helping us get through the workload.

Finally, we’ve actually just sent out our first marketing email to those who agreed to be on the list. Yet again I’m having to learn new skills (groan) as I get to grips with just how complicated the rules, regulations and requirements are to send a compliant email. Hopefully those who are on the list will enjoy the promotions we’re sending them. And if you’re not on our list, just email me and I’ll add you.

More soon (or in 2012 looking at my previous record).

Rob.