Picture Framing Supplies FrameCo Blogs

USA News

2008-08-13T19:23:00.000-07:00

We have changed our contact details for our USA customers. Our new phone number is 805 624 6687. Contact us by email at gary.leete@clubframeco.com.

Aust Classes taking off

2008-08-13T19:13:00.000-07:00

Hi all,
Classes are our big focus at the moment. Responding to comments from our customers, we have added more dates, added in advanced framing classes and the new one - YFC - YourFramer Consultancy. This is a 3 day course aimed at those of you who would like to start to make some money our of your new framing hobby. We are very encouraged by the comments. Classes are now filling quickly and we limit the numbers to ensure all participants get plenty of time to ask questions and gain the most they can from the course. We welcome Di, our new trainer and along with Trevor they are a great team. Remember Fathers Day is soon, so keep in the good books and frame a picture for him. Vouchers are also available from FrameCo.

UK Summer Sizzler

2008-08-13T18:38:00.000-07:00

All contacts on the FrameCo UK Database will be receiving an email from us over the next few days announcing Summer Sizzler Specials. Ensure you have the domain www.clubframeco.com as a trusted email contact - or you will miss out on the specials!

New Website for picture framing

2008-06-29T20:13:00.000-07:00

We lost our blog for awhile. But now it is found!
FrameCo have finally launched the new website. Easier navigation, more streamlined shopping experience, more features and free advice. We are pleased to receive feedback. Take a look http://www.clubframeco.com/.

Frame your Digital pictures online

2006-04-03T15:17:00.000-07:00

" Smart Framer"The SMARTER and FASTER way to Frame

FrameCo has developed "Smart Framer" an online Digital picture framing design tool so you can see your artwork, needlework, or photographs all framed online. Learn how to match colours, and see how different size of mats and frames change the look of your pictures digitally.

Choose from over 100 mouldings and 80 mat colors.
Learn how to match colours of mats and frames
Take digital photo's of your needlework, watercolours and artwork, then frame them all online.
The moulding and your picture are scaled proportionally - What you see is what you get.
Smart Framer features a "cropping" tool so that you can change the size of your pictures.
Order your selected moulding and mat boards online.

The best method to clamp a Picture Frame

2006-04-02T23:08:00.000-07:00

The best method to clamp a picture frame ready for joining is with a strap clamp. But the strap has to be made from metal strapping. Packageing tape clamps are not strong enough to hold the frame whilst joining.
You always should use a v-nail to join picture frames..and the reason is that v-nailing is easier than any other method. Glue alone is usually not strong or stable enough.
If you are joining useing a PushMaster, and the timber is hard then tap the end of the PushMaster with a hammer..but unless you are holding the frame firmly then the frame corners will collapse..so a strong clamp is essential.
Hobby picture framers need plenty of help. We are usually cutting our frames with a mitre saw so the corners are not as good as a professional guillotine cut. So before we join the whole frame, it is an advantage to see all the corners lined up together BEFORE you join the frame. With the FrameCo strap clamp you can do that. Strong metal band with an excellent tightening method for pulling up the strap really tightly . And you get to see all the corners before joining

Picture Framing as a small business

2006-03-29T16:30:00.000-08:00

Every day one of our customers tells us their story about how they have turned their hobby of picture framing into a profitable small business. As the investment in a range of FrameCo framing tools is minimal, it's easy to get started and make the hobby pay for itself, or have the framing support your principal business. Michelle is a member of the AFPS -Amateur Picture Framers Society- and here is her storey.
..." I started framing in order to support our photography business but it has since evolved into a thriving small business... from home, all of its own. I found when I started that the time & the materials made the product seem expensive, however I soon learnt that people are prepared to pay for individual, high quality product and service. So I am focusing on this and trying to make ourselves stand out from the crowd. It is important to distinguish ourselves from the mass produced frames in shops or quick frame shops that we have, as it is a completely different market. I love my hobby and the flexibibility and creativity that it gives me, it is a far cry from my previous work in social care". Michelle - UK

FrameCo UK Newsletter

2006-01-18T15:46:00.000-08:00

Dear Framers

Upcoming Exhibitions
Free Training Courses
Basics of Picture Framing Courses
Amateur Picture Framers Society

We would like to take this opportunity to wish all our customers a happy new year and hope you will all have a succesful and rewarding year ahead. The first part of 2006 is a busy time for us at FrameCo, attending many exhibtiions and offering new dates for training courses across the country. Below are details of exhibitions and courses taking place over the next couple of months.

Exhibitions

Visiting us at an exhibition is a great way to see our products and staff at first hand. We are always available for a demonstration on any of our tools or to offer any advise to our customers.

International Woodworking Alexander Palace - London Feb 17th - 19th
Focus on Imaging NEC, Birmingham Feb 26th - 1st March Stand No.L5
Hobbycrafts SECC, Glasgow - March 9th - 12th Stand No.B12
Woodworking Exhibition SECC, Glasgow - March 17th - 19th Stand No.68
Hobbycrafts NEC, Birmingham March 30th - April 2nd Stand No.B03

Free Training Courses

Having already held 5 free training sessions during October and November we are delighted to announce some new dates for 2006. These free sessions fill up really quickly so to register your place get onto our website and follow the link to workshop dates

www.clubframeco.com/workshop.php

Basics of Picture Framing Courses

Our 1 day course is a great starting point for anyone looking to start picture framing. We cover the basics of frame production, mount cutting and various fitting techniques. For further information please following the web link for workshop dates.

Wimborne, Dorset Friday 27th January
Aylesbury, Head Office Friday 3rd February
Stoke on Trent Friday 10th February
Guildford Friday 17th February
Aylesbury, Head Office Thursday 23rd February
Glasgow Tuesday 14th March
Edinburgh Wednesday 15th March
www.clubframeco.com/workshop.php

Book early to avoid dissapointment.....

Amateur Picture Framers Society - APFS

As a pioneer in the development of DIY framing tools and systems, FrameCo has sponsored the formation of the Amateur Picture Framers Society to foster the continued development of DIY Picture Framing.

Between the Framers Forum, the Frequent Framer Newsletter and the Free to download How To notes you will find all the frequently asked questions relating to picture framing answered on this site.

PLUS, you also get a discount on all items from the FrameCo catalogue and online sales. Check out the website today and take advantage of this great framers aid

www.amateurframers.com

Thank you for your continued custom and we hope to see you very soon.

Martine, Matthew and David.

FrameCo UK Team

APFS Newsletter - Gary Leete - 7 Oct 2005

2005-10-06T16:52:00.000-07:00

Dear APFS Member,

This is my first email letter to you since we launched the Amateur Picture Framers Society. We now have 300 members and are receiving 50 new members per week.

I would like to start a non-regular newsletter with you, to exchange ideas and to keep you informed.

The Framers Forum is proving a great success. The recent discussion on Mitre saws and Measuring Systems was most helpful and there is more to come on this subject. The comments by Doug Francis from Perth Australia were most interesting. So if you have not visited the Forum or contributed with a comment or question, let me encourage you to have a look at the Forum, as we all will benefit from your contribution, no matter what the framing subject.

A hot subject at the moment is pricing and what to charge for your framing if you are doing jobs for others. We have a pricing schedule/calculator which you can download from the - Be your own Boss section, but as Stuart Willis and Brian Townsend -Marlow have found, I did not explain how to use it very well... Hopefully my answer to Stuart was sufficient, but if anyone needs further help in this area please come back to us. Matthew or David in the UK, Maryann at our office in California, or I can help.

For our members in the USA, I am sorry that we have not finished the US dollar version of the calculator as yet, but it is not just a matter of converting the chart, we have to check its accuracy with local picture framing charges.

We have added a direct link to our price lists as this shows all the members pricing.

We have had a few contributions to the Members Gallery, but I would like more. If you are like me and not computer literate, do not worry, we have Bernard, our resident computer guru and I am sure he will be able to sort out anything you send to us. Send it through and we will arrange the format and the words. I know some of the work you are creating is well above industry standard, so be proud of it and lets all have a look.

The APFS is not just about dollar discounts. They are good to have but the intention was for the Society to be a meeting place for all of us - we are all Amateur Picture Framers and we all need help.

Enjoy your hobby,

Regards,
Gary Leete

Amateur Picture Framers Society

2005-09-05T17:27:00.000-07:00

The objective of The Amateur Picture Framers Society (APFS ) is to foster the development of DIY Picture Framing.

Doing your own picture frames can save you lots of money and it is fun as well. FrameCo Picture Framing Supplies has sponsored the formation of APFS to answer the increasing number of people wanting to do their own framing for hobby or business. For amateurs framers, joining APFS is a great way to start and learn about the Do's and Don'ts of framing - You can invest on the right tools and get the job done in the shortest time.

There are so many benefits of joining APFS such as Framers forum, members discounts, framing newsletter...etc. Feel free to go to the Amateur Picture Framers Society to find out more.