Hello from Panama (Central America)

[cff]

I'm new to framing and am in the process of opening a frameshop in Panama in the Pacific beach areas. There is no frameshop in my area at all. People have to travel well over an hour to get things framed or do it themselves. So I'm looking to fill a gap in my area.

I'm a hobby photographer who was looking to frame my own work and stumbled into opening a frameshop through a couple of synchronistic events. So here I knee deep in preparing to open. I am looking to make contacts with Central and South American sources to purchase moulding, matboards etc.

Jamuna Burry
Coronado Frame & Foto

[JohnMcafee]

Welcome aboard, Jamuna.

[Rainbow]

Good luck with your new venture, I hope it goes well. Keep us posted!

[Keith Hewitt]

Helo Jamuna,

You can buy mat boards in Panama from :-

H. Kent Inc.
Ave Ricardo J. Alfaro
Edificio Artec, P.O. Box 6289
Zona 5, Rep. of Panama
Tel: (507) 230 - 6868
Fax: (507) 230 - 1337
Email: artec@cwpanama.net

For other supplies by all means try neighbouring countries, but my guess is you will get a bigger range and better service from one of the big distributors in Miami. If you need any names just ask me by PM ( private message)
I would suggest you get a catalogue from www.lionpic.co.uk - its full of products and info you will find most helpful.

[cff]

Keith,

It's so great that you refer me to Artec. I believe they are the only place you can buy matboard in Panama. I have found a distributor for polystyrene moulding in Panama as well - Emmarcados Xpo Art, but I am having issues cutting the polystyrene, which I am hoping the experience in this forum will help solve. I'm also glad you say to purchase in Miami. I am doing that. Complete Framers Supply is my main source. They have been great in helping me get set up here in Panama. I am just keeping an eye out for suppliers that might be closer and might save me shipping and duties costs.

Jamuna

[Keith Hewitt]

Glad to be of some help.
Another source of where are the best suppliers might be to ask other framers and a few of the Art Galleries where they buy their mouldings / frames etc.

http://www.paginasamarillas.com.pa/busq ... ma+lang+en

[Keith Hewitt]

Jamuna

Did you go to the Frame Fest last weekend?

It seems it was well attended by many suppliers and the USA framers found it educational and motivating

Please let us know

Keith

[cff]

Yes. I did go to Framefest 2015. As the show was small, I got the opportunity to speak with many vendors in depth and learn about their offerings and products. I also made useful contacts other options for getting supplies.

I took a number classes and learned a whole bunch of things new things. Met with other framers, all who have been in the industry for a lifetime and like the many people in this forum - are so willing to share their knowledge.

I'm really happy I went. Almost didn't go, as my current supplier said it would be 'underwhelming'. But as it turned out, a cousin, whom I have not seen in a long time was going to be in the area on different business, at the same time. So I decided to go, so that we could meet up for a dinner. Worked out well all the way around.

Jamuna

[Sheila Turner]

Hello, I am from New Zealand and am so looking forward to starting a new venture. I would like to start making mounds for the corners of frames. We don't get too many ornate frames here and definitely none with ornate moulded corners.
Does anyone know where I can get perhaps plastic corner mounds of different sizes that I can fill with plaster of paris and then glue to a ready made frame. This is a new idea and not available in New Zealand as far as I know.
Regards and happy framing,
Sheila Turner

[GeoSpectrum]

Similar discussion here.

http://theframersforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=13725