tag:diyframing.com,2008:feed/diyframing.com/DIYframing Latest NewsCopyright, 2008 DIYframinghttp://www.diyframing.com/DIYframingnoreply@diyframing.com2008-11-07T11:34:08ZLatest newshttp://www.diyframing.com/images/rsslogo.gifhttp://www.diyframing.com/images/favicon.icotag:diyframing.com,2008:http://www.diyframing.com/site_news.cfm#NewsID2732008-11-07T11:34:08ZChristmas Cracker<div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>
<p style="text-align: center;"><img title="Christmas Open Day 13th December 10.00 am - 2.30 pm" src="http://www.diyframing.com/user/custom/POD_images/Xmas2.jpg" alt="Open Day at DIYframing: 13th December " width="560" height="86" /></p>
<h3>Christmas Bazaar</h3>
<p style="text-align: left;">Our Christmas Open Day is just 1 month away. Make a note in your diary to take a break from Christmas shopping crowds. You might pick up some ideas to make framed Christmas presents just a little more special, pick up a bargain or just treat yourself to something new.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #800000;"><strong>Saturday, December 13th at our base in Beaconsfield, 10.00 am - 2.30 pm</strong></span></p>
<h3 style="text-align: left;"><br />10% Discount on Tools</h3>
<p>As a Christmas treat, we are offering all tools bought at the Open Day, with 10% discount on current, full web prices.</p>
<p>The showroom will be open, with the full new range of mouldings, kit and other materials to browse through. As well as the full product range available for purchase, there will be special reductions on a range of items (details to be released nearer to the event).</p>
<p>In addition we will be s<span style="color: #800000;"></span>etting bargain prices on ex-demonstration tools and special offers on selected materials such as moulding packs.</p>
<h3><img class="nmd_floatright_border" style="float: right;" title="Free Picture Framing Seminar: Colour finishes" src="http://www.diyframing.com/user/custom/POD_images/FrameFinish1x200.jpg" alt="Free Picture Framing Seminar: Colour finishes" width="100" height="93" /></h3>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">Frame Finishes FREE</h3>
<p><span style="color: #800000;"></span>High points of these days are always the FREE seminars and demonstrations. This time we will be running two demonstrations with some great ideas for adding different types of finishes to natural wood mouldings. These are an introduction to a NEW frame finishes course we will be running from late spring 2009.</p>
<p><br />Each presentation will last about 30 minutes, with time set aside for questions after. In order to take advantage of these seminars, you will need to book seats in advance. Places will be limited to 20 seats per session.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #800000;">Demonstration 1: Light & Colour in paint effects (11.00 am - 11.40 am)</span> - the effect of using a gesso base to allow colour wash effects on frames.</p>
<p><span style="color: #800000;"><img class="nmd_floatright_border" style="float: right;" title="Free Picture Framing Seminar: Sponged Effects" src="http://www.diyframing.com/user/custom/POD_images/FrameFinish2x200.jpg" alt="Free Picture Framing Seminar: Sponged Effects" width="100" height="94" /></span></p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #800000;">D</span><span style="color: #800000;"></span><span style="color: #800000;">emonstrai</span><span style="color: #800000;"></span><span style="color: #800000;">on</span><span style="color: #800000;"></span><span style="color: #800000;"> 2:</span><span style="color: #800000;"></span><span style="color: #800000;"> Sponged & R</span><span style="color: #800000;"></span><span style="color: #800000;">agged Effects (12.30 pm - 1.10 pm)</span><span style="color: #800000;"></span>- using two simple<span style="color: #800000;"></span> techniques to create a unique look to natural mouldings</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">To book your place on either, or both presentations contact:</p>
<p><span style="color: #800000;"></span></p>
<p><br /><strong><span style="color: #333399;">judy@diyframing.com or free phone 0800 801061</span></strong></p>
<p><span style="color: #800000;"></span></p>
<p><span style="color: #800000;"></span></p>
<p>DIYframing staff will all be on hand to demonstrate our framing tools, from hobby kit to the full, professional workshop.</p>
<p>There will also be information about the UK School of Framing with opportunities to discuss and find more out about the full training programme available, venues and costs.</p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #333399;">We look forward to seeing you here.</span></strong></p>
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<p style="text-align: center;"><img title="Christmas Open Day 13th December 10.00 am - 2.30 pm" src="http://www.diyframing.com/user/custom/POD_images/Xmas1.jpg" alt=" Christmas Open Day 13th December 10.00 am - 2.30 pm" width="560" height="81" /></p>
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<p> </p>tag:diyframing.com,2008:http://www.diyframing.com/site_news.cfm#NewsID2692008-10-20T12:42:31ZMake It Yours, Make It Local<h3 style="text-align: left;">Spotting Your Customers</h3>
<p style="text-align: left;">I've hinted at it in all the previous articles about developing a picture framing business, but just to clarify: it is essential to keep taking stock of how you are doing. Having a really good (and honest) look at what is working well, what needs improving and what needs a complete overhaul will keep your business fresh.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Many things will evolve in your business as you become more confident with what you are doing. One thing, however, that seems to remain the same is the customer profile. I have done this a number of times with my own galleries: when you analyse the demographic of your customers, you will probably discover that the majority is within a 5 mile radius of your shop / workshop. In more rural areas it might be a bit wider, say 10 miles. But the clear fact is that the main income is generated locally.</p>
<p><img class="nmd_floatright_border" style="float: right;" title="Working with the local community: helping the nuresry PTA" src="http://www.diyframing.com/user/custom/POD_images/Local4_250.jpg" alt="Working with the local community: helping the nuresry PTA" width="250" height="153" />It is also important to recognise that, if operating from any form of commercial property, picture framing is seen as a "destination" market. In other words, customers come specifically with something in mind for framing: they will often have it with them. Impulse buying is less likely unless you sell prints or photography, for example, where buying the artwork might trigger the idea of having it framed.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;"><strong><span style="color: #ff6600;">So what are the implications for you? </span></strong></p>
<ul>
<li>First of all, understand that local success is vital.</li>
<li>Secondly, by increasing your local profile you will increase business.</li>
<li>Finally, make sure you identify all of the local possibilities.</li>
</ul>tag:diyframing.com,2008:http://www.diyframing.com/site_news.cfm#NewsID2662008-09-16T08:44:00ZGreat News<img class="nmd_floatright_border" style="border: 0pt none ; float: right;" title="Picture framing training dates in Scotland" src="http://www.diyframing.com/user/custom/POD_images/Scotland200.jpg" alt="Picture framing training dates in Scotland" width="200" height="149" />
<p><strong>Great news!</strong> DIYframing is back in Scotland and this time we will be training in three different locations (click dates for details):</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.diyframing.com/event_view.cfm/EventID/465/">Glasgow:</a> October 25th & 26th</li>
<li><a href="http://www.diyframing.com/event_view.cfm/EventID/513/">Oban:</a> November 29th & 30th</li>
<li><a href="http://www.diyframing.com/event_view.cfm/EventID/516/">Edinburgh:</a> December 13th & 14th</li>
</ul>
<p>Each of the weekends features a complete package to take anybody working with 2D artforms (including needlecraft) from being a complete novice to feeling confident with picture framing.</p>
<p>You can also book the two days separately:</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.diyframing.com/articles_viewarticle.cfm?ArticleID=57">Basics of Framing</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.diyframing.com/articles_viewarticle.cfm?ArticleID=57&ArticlePageID=97">Mount Cutting & Decoration</a></li>
</ul>
<p>Featured as <strong>art & photography framing weekends</strong> the two training days have given a number of students the confidence they needed to take their artwork even further. Some have started to exhibit and sell their artwork as the finished article; the added "perceived value" that framing brings to pictures is amazing. Others have gone on to develop part time & full time business in which picture framing takes a full part.</p>
<p>Have a browse through some of the features written about some of our past students <a href="http://www.diyframing.com/articles_viewcategory.cfm?ArticleCategoryID=15">case studies</a></p>
<p>Most importantly, everybody joining our training days gets a real buzz from their own achievements and for many it is just the spur needed to work through the backlog of pictures they want to put up at home.</p>
<p><em>Book early to avoid disappointment.</em></p>