DIY Framing UK - Tools - Equipment - Training

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This Month's Dates

For details of all training around the country click: Browse Full Programme

Courses
9th - 12th May: Totally Ultimate Framing Weekend - Manchester

17th & 18th May: Art & Photography Framing Weekend - York
24th & 25th May: Art & Photography Framing Weekend - Cheltenham

14th & 15th June: Art & Photography Framing Weekend - Truro (Cornwall)

Take Your Time

The idea behind our Business Development Weeks is to provide an opportunity to go from being a complete novice to being able to take orders for picture framing in one 7 day block.  In fact we have just completed another highly successful training week with the potential for several new businesses to develop.  Of the seven people starting Business Day 1, 5 stayed for all days, seven completed Business Day 1 & 2 and then we had others joining the group for some of the practical days.

So, it is quite clear that not everybody can organise their time in the same way.  Work, family and other commitments quite naturally influence what you sign up for. Also, some will want to pick up the more specialised practical skills for new framing projects, without needing to find out about the business side. Others of you will have difficulty taking a whole week away from work (and home).

It is up to us to find more flexible ways of letting you access our workshops.  As a result we decided to offer an exciting new way of completing our Business Development training programme without having to book time off work.  It also means that, for the first time ever, we are offering weekends for completing one or two of the "development level" courses:  3D Framing; Conversation Framing; Framing Fabric.

Have a look at the full listing below.  We hope this will give you a chance to try something different: make sure you book up quickly to avoid disappointment.

View the full programme by clicking BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT WEEK.  You will be able to find details about individual sessions and the full programme.  Links from there will allow you to book places.

Alternatively contact us on 0800 801061 0r email info@diyframing.com

Framing Sports Shirts

The first time we ventured into a specialist framing field was a great success.  Anybody who frames for other people will know that at some point or another you will be asked to frame a sports shirt.   When you look at them in galleries, you wonder how hard can it really be?  Well, on 17^th April 8 intrepid framers took up the challenge. 

Part of the problem was the scale of the final piece.  Not all sports personalities are the size of rugby players, but, by the time you have allowed for most of the jersey to be shown with a decorative backing, the frame will still be around 600 mm x 750 mm - bit bigger than A4.  So setting the tables in the training room for 9 of us to work at, each with 3m lengths of moulding, took some planning and ingenuity.  And a quick reorganisation part way through the day.  In the end it was a bit like Strictly Come Framing with the synchronised moves needed, but we all managed to produce good quality frames.

The major difference between what we were doing and 2D framing is the internal depth.  Keeping the shirt well supported and away from the glass is quite a challenge.  The solution we came up with was to create a spacer frame sitting between the mount and the back board.  It does mean taking time to wrestle with a second load of moulding, but is well worth the effort, as it provides added internal strength.  It also makes the final assemble relatively easy.

Whenever you frame a piece of clothing it will need an interior support panel.  They are quite easy to create and prevent sagging between the various attachment points.  The shape needs careful planning so that it doesn't over stretch the garment or push corners through the material.  There are several methods for attaching shirts and support panel onto a backing: specialised tab guns; hanger systems; sewing in - some have even been known to use staples (definitely not advised by DIYframing). 

Sewing was the option used, mainly because this requires more skill and looks the best.  Oh how we enjoyed ourselves for the next 45 minutes! You could have heard a pin drop (in fact several did) the concentration was so great!  The real skill is hiding the stitches, as far as possible, by going through seams or under folds.  You also have to provide enough stretch to get rid of the wrinkles but not so much that it looks like a bad face-lift.  Of course some shirt fabrics are so flimsy that you could actually double the size of the shirt with stretching.

How did they turn out?  Actually, very well indeed.  You really do feel you have completed a bit of top quality framing and the shirts looked really impressive in their frames.  How much would you charge for this type of work?  Expect to pay anywhere upwards of £110.00 for the style of framing used on the day.

In all fairness, we should have called the day a frame a sports shirt day, because the project is quite demanding and really left no time over for more general chat.  Having said that, memorabilia work is usually going to be framing garments, objects or a combination of both.  Our regular 3D framing course covers most the principles behind framing objects that are displayed in a box.  So this gave a chance to look at a different range of challenges.

Bob P (now a trading framer trained by DIYframing) had a go at this (Norwich City shirt, no less) and is always good barometer for how a session has gone, was delighted with the day. 

Afterwards he said, "Done them all (courses), I expect you'll think of something else for me to come along to."

If you have any ideas for a specialist day you would like to try, please let us know.  We can't let Bob down.

Testing Times For Jan Doyle

The ultimate test of your skills as a framer is sitting the Fine Arts Trade Guild, Guild of Commended Framers exam.  Naturally enough it is not an easy level to achieve and will take some practice of skills and experience of working with customers before you may be ready to have a go.  However, as DIYframing is now just turned 5 years old, it is not a surprise that some of our first students are at that point.  What is involved in the assessment and how does it feel to be put through the examination process?  Fortunately we have somebody within the business to tell all.  Jan Doyle, one of our first students and now a trainer with DIYframing, gives you the low down.

As for the exam itself well I think it was the most nerve wracking thing I have ever done.  I suddenly realised I hadn't done an exam for over 20 years and it was incredible how those ‘O' Level nerves came back!  The exam is done on a one to one basis and takes just under two hours. 

I had to prepare three framed images to take with me to the test centre.  The first was a piece of art in a double mount, framed to commended level.  The second was a piece framed to conservation level with a set of double lines ruled around the mount (using a ruling pen, no cheating allowed).  The third piece was art on canvas stretched and framed.  The examiner scrutinised then dismantled the framed pieces I had taken with me and quizzed me on how I had done them and why I had chosen the various materials.  She then asked questions to make sure I understood exactly what the different levels of framing are:

• How and why I would advise customers on the care of their framed work,
• How I would recognise different forms of artwork and suggest the suitable framing level etc.
  
• Why certain materials were used and what they were made of or what treatments they had received during manufacture. 

The next stage was the practical section.  I was handed a piece of paper that had a description of how I should frame an A4 picture.  It turned out to be conservation level, double mount with a weighted bottom boarder.  All materials were provided along with a choice of equipment and I was given 45 minutes to frame the work.  During the task the timer was set and steadily ticked away on the counter . . . .    

Finally there was a multiple choice set paper for which I was allowed about 30 minutes.  During the tasks the timer was set and steadily ticked away on the counter . . . .    I swear I can still hear that clock.

Anyone thinking of taking this exam needs to buy the FATG Commended Framer Study Guide which is very informative and clearly sets out their guidelines and expectations. 

To read her case study click: Jan Doyle

Patchings Art, Craft & Design Festival 2008

One of these is the Patchings Art, Craft and Design Festival in Nottinghamshire. It opens over 5th - 8th June 2008 from 10.00 am - 5.00 pm (Sunday till 4.30 pm).

Quoting from its promotional brochure, the Patchings festival ...

"Offers a rare opportunity to see exquisite pieces of art and craft being created by over 150 exhibitors who will be demonstrating, exhibiting and selling their work. The Festival will be inspirational, instructive and enjoyable. Watch the exhibitors create their work with imagination and expertise from a wide range of raw materials such as clay, stone, metal, wood, precious stones, glass, leather, textile and two dimensional media."

Exhibitors will be working in:

* Painting
* Textiles
* Jewellery
* Metal
* Photography
* Ceramics
* Wood
* Glass Sculpture
* Leather
* Paper
* Precious Metals And
* Stones

This will be our second visit to the festival.  We will have the full range of kit along, with special offers on some products.  It is a great chance to meet up with expert members of DIYframing staff and see a wide range of framing kit being demonstrated.

For full details of the exhibition, download a festival pamphlet (PDF) by visiting: www.patchingsartcentre.co.uk/festival/2008/index.html

Cutting Sensation

The Onyx 90 is the revolutionary new media cutter from the USA. This amazing new anodized aluminum and stainless steel cutter cuts and sizes mount board, foam board, glass, plastic and more.

Diyframing’s CEO Duncan McDonald who sourced the cutter during a trip to the West Coast Art & Frame Show in Las Vegas says,

“ We have been looking to supply a really good quality cutter at the right price for a long time and this one definitely fits the bill”

With 3 interchangeable heads that are the easiest to change in the industry, changing from one board type to another is now so much easier.

The 60” vertical cutter will handle media up to 16mm (5/8”) thick, it has a built in clamp and calibrated production stops in both inches and millimeters. It also comes with many extra blades and cutting wheels. Additional extras include a five legged collapsible stand which will allow use of the cutter without it being attached to a wall.

Duncan says “I am convinced this superb tool will be a success as it ticks all the boxes for quality, cost and flexibility”

The Onyx 90 has been engineered to last a lifetime and comes with a 5 year warranty, Diyframing is supporting the cutter in the UK offering spare parts, blades and servicing.

For more or to order »