Hi To Everyone

[spike67]

Just like to say hello to everyone, Im new to the framers forum so please be gentle with me

I am currently working as a production manager in the Brewing business but will be losing my job by the end of the year as they are shutting our brewery down.

I do enjoy my job but was thinking of changing my career path and become a framer, I am already framing pictures for friends and family and this would be the next step forward for me, I understand this is not going to be easy especially in the current financial climate but I would love to give it a go.

What do you think?

Any advice would be extremely appreciated.

Mark

[John]

Hi Spike67, welcome to the forum.

Perhaps your question is a bit too general to get a useful answer, but don't let that put you off.

You will find lots of helpful stuff as you browse the forum, and there is a handy search function to help you locate specific subjects.

Good luck

John

[Moglet]

Hi Mark, and welcome to the Forum!

I'm very sorry to hear that you will be losing your current source of income.

The best advice I can give at this stage is to research your local market, and draw up a business plan. Look at the numbers before making a decision.

Given that you already have equipment, it sounds like you could start as a home-based business, so that will be an advantage from an overheads perspective. It might be an idea to get the people for whom you already frame to start "spreading the word" about your framing service in advance of the time when the brewery closes down: it could be an aid to "ramping up" your client base in advance of becoming a full-time framer.

As John mentions above, there's a wealth of information here. Also, check out The Picture Framer's Grumble (another framing forum - based in the States, but with worldwide membership).

Happy researching!

[Bagpuss]

Hi Spike,
welcome to the forum, I thought I'd drop you a line as I'm going through a similar scenario as you and I'm bricking it ! ( only joking ). I started framing for family and friends about 15 years ago and I'm only just about to leave my IT job in the City, well I finish full-time employment at the end of February and then move to 2 days a week in the City and the rest of the week framing
I'm now going through the serious bit of setting up a business and I've yet to think of a name !

Changing jobs or career can be quite traumatic can't it ?, most of us have faced redundancy in the past, I was in engineering years ago and when I got made redundant I sort of staggered into an IT job which I've been doing ever since. I can't say I love IT but the money has been good and for some time I've been planning my escape to do something I am really passionate about, FRAMING !

As I've been framing mainly at the weekend over the years, I haven't had the sort of experience that the hardcore framers on the forum have but I have made the effort to go on some training courses, read the various publications and in the last year I have joined the Fine Art Trade Guild going to Guild meetings every couple of months I have also taken the Commended Framer exam through the Guild.
( you may find that other members of the Forum are less enthusiastic about the Guild ... )

I think training is very important and I'd be happy to recommend a few names who can help. I wish you the best of luck, incidentally I have seen a lot of articles in the press and on the TV saying that now is as good a time as any to start a business ... well that's what I keep telling myself anyway

Oh, nearly forgot ! If you haven't been before I suggest you make a trip up to the Spring Fair at the NEC, starts on Sunday 1st February, always worth a trip, loads of good stuff on display.

[DEEPJOY]

Hi Mark

I am in the same boat as your goodself, just starting out, but so far I am lucky I am still in a day job. Sorry to hear your bad news. Still! That Beer smells like S**t through the brewing process. Just think you will soon be able to smell the flowers again.

Please do let me teach you how to suck eggs, but my first advise would be try to get a normal job whilst you are cutting your teeth on the skills needed and the Framing industry in general.
You can be guaranteed of a wealth of experience and help from most on this forum and indeed, there is a great deal of reading already in the history of many of the categories in the board index.

One thing which will definitely help you to succeed on this forum is, get some of that Beer for us all before you leave and lets have a party. We will get rid of your blues

[spike67]

You get used to the smell of beer brewing and I actually like it now.

Someone else gave me that advice about getting a second job while the framing business is growing, perhaps a part time job at B&Q a couple of days a week would be ok, I don't know!!

[Dermot]

Another place to look for P/T work is the local take out pizza places, they appear to do very well in a downturn ………..good luck with your plans….

[birdman]

Hi Mark,

Welcome to the forum. I was in the same position as you about 4-5 years ago and I still do some occasional consulting work. Having a second income helps pay those annoying regular bills such as my mortgage.

I found that attending a Business Start Up course at my local Enterprise Centre to be very helpful and it was free. You learn all about business start-up, finance, pricing, tax, market research, marketing and more. It took place in the evenings and therefore didn't interfere with the days work. Try Business Link in Berkshire for more information:

http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/ac ... 157&r.s=sc

Attending the Spring Fair also opens your eyes to the world of framing. You can attend free seminars and learning activities including on some of the suppliers stands and meet suppliers, artists and framers. This is great research because you can ask questions to your hearts content and people are there to help. If you can't make it this year make a note in your diary for February 2010. Details can be found here and if you pre-register on the site entry is free.

http://www.springfair.com/

You might also want to look at the Fine Art Trade Guild website for details of their Guild Commended Framer qualification and their five standards of framing. They are not everyone's cup of tea but they provided me with a good grounding so that I knew not to use masking tape and standard mountboard, for instance.

http://www.fineart.co.uk

Training is also essential, because framing is not just sticking together 4 pieces of wood. Have a look at this link, which gives details of trainers across the UK and further afield. Scroll down it starts about half way down the page: http://www.fineart.co.uk/GCF.asp. You can also find details in Art Business Today and Picture Business magazines.

If the brewery are providing you with an Outplacement or Career Transition package make as much use of it as you can, either for your framing plans or that second career.

Hope that helps. All the best with your plans and keep coming back to the forum it's packed with helpful advice and friendly people.

Rolf

[spike67]

Thanks Birdman for all that info.