Spring Fair '09 is GO

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Martin Harrold
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Spring Fair '09 is GO

Post by Martin Harrold »

All:

I've been down at the NEC today, helping build up our stand in Hall 12, so I thought I'd report back to Forum members.

There's all sorts of stories flying around about this years show, and, yes it is a little bit smaller than last years, but not by much.

But, it has all the main suppliers there. Simons, Arqadia, Wessex, Lion (of course - and we think that only Simons and Len at Alpha 1 Marketing have been there continuously longer than our 26 years), A&T, Mainline, Gunnar, Morso, Framers Corner / Wizard, International Graphics, De Montfort, and many, many more. Our esteemed Forum Master has a booth there also.

They are building up a fair size seminars area with a nice coffee shop / sit down area nearby. It all looks good and has an air of confidence and positive anticipation about it.

It's the place for all of us in this important trade to gather to look, to learn and to gossip. I say bu**er the recession. Dig out your T-shirt which says 'No More Boom & Bust' attributed to a certain Mr G Brown, surely soon to be of no-fixed-abode, and come along and have an interesting and rewarding day out.

Business improvement is about a little bit here, a little bit there. No big leaps forward, just continuous improvement. I defy anyone to not find at least five small but significant ways to improve their business during a full day at the Spring Fair.

Looking forward to talking with you there. Oh, and the parking is FREE.
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Re: Spring Fair '09 is GO

Post by Moglet »

Hi Martin,

I'd just like to thank you for posting such an encouraging message! Makes such a refreshing change from the economic fire and brimstone we're being bombarded with. I'm sure it will hearten many readers! :clap:

My trip to the NEC last year was educational, inspiring and tremendous fun!! I'm very, very sad not to be going this year...:( Thanks for the "snapshot": it's a bit like a vicarious visit.)

Best of luck to the Lion Team! :)
........Áine JGF SGF FTB
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spike67
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Re: Spring Fair '09 is GO

Post by spike67 »

Looking forward to Monday, Im hoping for some inspirtation. :clap:
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Re: Spring Fair '09 is GO

Post by DEEPJOY »

I'm there Monday and Tuesday. :dance: Looking for advice, encouragement and suppliers. :handshake:

Deepjoy & Excitement
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Re: Spring Fair '09 is GO

Post by Moglet »

:idea: Major Show Tip for First-timers:

If you have one of those mini suitcases with wheels and a handle, bring it with you (empty) to the show.*

(You'll thank me later.)

-------

Well worth checking which suppliers sell moulding in length (LIon and Ashworth & Thompson definitely do, plus Arqadia do some ranges in length), rather than pack/wrap. That way, you only need to order the quantity you need for a particular job: keeps your stock holding down, and makes inventory management easier. As you get to know which profiles are popular in your area, then you'll have a better idea of which mouldings to keep as "stock lines."

Also, have a look at the displays of specialist framing glass so that you can see the difference it makes.

Also, do take time to visit the Lion stand, and if you haven't already got their new catalogue, grab one. The Lion catalogue is a training course in its own right! :D

You can find out about tools, try out different types of equipment (if you've never seen/used sheet cutters, do give them a look: if your budget can stretch to one, they're a very worthwhile investment).

The Lion stand has to be one of the most educational at the Fair. You can learn about different fixings and accessories, and they run ad hoc demonstrations of different framing techniques, too. (A very nice lady taught me how to add deep bevel accents to my mounts last year: thankyou Lion!)

At many of the stands you can meet framers with decades of technical and commercial experience. They're really friendly, and very encouraging to trade newcomers.

Ok. So you lot are going and I'm not. Am I bovvered....??

In a word? Yes..... :( :envy:



* Catalogues are blimmin' heavy! ;)
........Áine JGF SGF FTB
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Phill
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Re: Spring Fair '09 is GO

Post by Phill »

Well done Martin on trying to make the show a positive one, but I think we all know that it will be smaller than ever and not a lot of new Idea's going around. I have been going to the show for over 20 years and it's nothing like it used to be when it was in hall 2.
I normally go up for 3 days but this year I will drive up on the Sunday and straight back on the Sunday night, you see I can not keep away, even though I know it won't be great, because I love the show, I will, as allways, go to the Lions stand, and put my order in, I might even say hello. Good luck with the show.
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Re: Spring Fair '09 is GO

Post by BRUMMIEFRAMER »

Sounds great and looking forward to it ! I am going looking to help my son develop his skills with developing a picture framing business and training with all other aspects of picture framing we have currently decided going on Thursday as Sunday would probably be too busy.
My question is ,which stands would we need to head for specifically for the information we would need.
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Re: Spring Fair '09 is GO

Post by Steve N »

:hi: Count me in on Monday, I still get a buzz from the show after nearly 20 years of attending it

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Merlin
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Re: Spring Fair '09 is GO

Post by Merlin »

Dont forget to wear your JGF badges, so that we can recognise each other
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Re: Spring Fair '09 is GO

Post by Framerpicture »

The weather forcast is giving me some concern- You know how in this country every thing grinds to a halt with a covering of snow!
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Re: Spring Fair '09 is GO

Post by prospero »

Framerpicture wrote:The weather forcast is giving me some concern- You know how in this country every thing grinds to a halt with a covering of snow!

I've just been watching 'Ice Road Truckers'. Take your skates. The lakes might freeze over.
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Re: Spring Fair '09 is GO

Post by Dermot »

I’m looking forward to the show……it should help to get me back into the zone of framing…

And all going well I’m been taken for a visit to the Lion warehouse on Monday morning….
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Re: Spring Fair '09 is GO

Post by Jonny2morsos »

Martin

Good luck for the show and thank you for taking time to visit this forum and stay in contact with members I am sure it can only do good for your business. I will be spending some time on your stand watching Pete Bingham with a view to improving my skills with hand finishing.

John.
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Re: Spring Fair '09 is GO

Post by Moglet »

I really enjoyed meeting Pete - and watching his demos - last year.
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Martin Harrold
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Re: Spring Fair '09 is GO

Post by Martin Harrold »

We look forward to talking with you - but, please remember that none of us on our stand know you by your 'nom du Forum'.
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Re: Spring Fair '09 is GO

Post by Big Ada »

Hi Martin

I'm a new member to the forum and to the picture framing industry, only set up last year around september time but looking forward to the Spring Fair to meet suppliers and mostly looking at all the different aspects of framing techniques.

Thanks fror the info.

Big Ada
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Re: Spring Fair '09 is GO

Post by Adrian »

Hi all,

I visited the Spring Fair (Winter Fair?!) on Sunday - I think I was one of the first through the door of Hall 12 at 9.00 am! I've not started my business yet, but WOW! what a buzz and what an inspiration! I simply can't wait to get started now!

I'd also like to thank the likes of Lion and Wessex Pictures on this forum. How helpful are these people? I must have spent about half an hour first thing with two of the Wessex guys (probably before they'd even had time to warm up!) and they were great, knowing I was a beginner, and suggesting moulds to try, discussing mounts, glass, backing board etc. etc. Same at Lion, where I also watched a fascinationg demo of hand finishing by Pete Bingham - all really useful stuff. :D :clap:

I also got to meet Dermot! We were stood side by side watching a demonstration of the Valiano CMC (dream on) and just got talking. If you read this, Dermot, thanks for all the info you gave me and it was a real pleasure to have a chat with you.

Thanks also to EstLite for the one-to-one demonstration on their stand.

I only wish I'd read Moglet's post about the trolley before I'd gone - there's only so much you can squeeze into a carrier bag!

I was thinking about going on Monday too, but the weather put me off a bit and I really must get this workshop finished!
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Re: Spring Fair '09 is GO

Post by Moglet »

Adrian wrote:I only wish I'd read Moglet's post about the trolley before I'd gone....
:angel:
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Re: Spring Fair '09 is GO

Post by DEEPJOY »

Hi All

Just returned from the fair after spending a couple of days ( Monday, Tuesday) down there. A great experience for myself and wife, both enjoying the company of the few forum members we met and the great passion and belief we gauged from most of the exhibitors. :D
Thank you again to the group, John and Sarah from Estlite, Graham, Birdman and Sam from Pelican, Dermot, John and wife from Merlin. You were all very kind and gave me sound advise and guidance which I will try to remember and implement from the start through the many years I hope to frame. :rock:
I must admit, even though I ride this framing cloud with great optimism and belief in myself, a bit like Kev on his motorbike, I for a lingering period since my return have had my doubts. When I see the quality of framing and the many, many techniques used to surround a piece of artwork, i do have to realise that there is more to framing than meets the eye. I have never been under any misapprehensions regarding the shear scale of the task ahead of me, but for just one wavering moment i have had the confidence knocked a wee bit. :sweating:
I am glad to say, after that bit of a shake , I am back on track with re-tuned focus and a new mission with new goals set to achieve the desired affect and dream. I talk some boll***s sometimes! :oops:
Great to be apart of all this. :yes:
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Re: Spring Fair '09 is GO

Post by Moglet »

Hi Deepjoy!

Delighted to hear that yourself and the missus had a great time at the Spring Fair, and that you got to meet some Forum denizens! :D
DEEPJOY wrote:I must admit....for a lingering period since my return have had my doubts. When I see the quality of framing and the many, many techniques used to surround a piece of artwork, i do have to realise that there is more to framing than meets the eye ... just (for) one wavering moment i have had the confidence knocked a wee bit.
Fret thee not, Deepjoy. You've found two fantastic resources - TFF and TPFG - to help you learn your craft.

Master the basics:

- how to calibrate and maintain your equipment.
- how to cut a mount without overcuts.
- how to produce strong, accurate mitres on your frame rims.
- how to correctly assess what's needed for each customer project.
- which materials to offer and use (customer permitting!) and why.

Don't worry too much about the fancy stuff initially: you'll pick up all of these as you go along (but worth learning how to do fillets and bevel accents asap!) Same goes for design: you'll get better and better with each project you complete. You've already had an inspirational feast at the show, and you'll get more here, and on The G.

Once you get the basics right, you'll be able to go back to the show next year and nitpick 90% of the stuff on display (I could last year - gave me a terrific buzz to see that the quality of my work - for which I have all our good cyberframers to thank! - meets or exceeds much of what I saw on the stands.)

You've got the passion, and you've had your eyes opened to the possibilities. Get in the practice, and all shall be well! :D
Deepjoy wrote:Great to be apart of all this.
Ain't it just! :puss:
........Áine JGF SGF FTB
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