Dates

In the next quarter, through into April, UK School of Framing is on the road again.  There is bound to be a venue to suit.  Starting at Beaconsfield in the middle of February, as well as the usual two basic framing days, we are also running our canvas stretching and framing day.  From there we move on to Exeter, then Glasgow, Cheltenham and Newcastle Upon Tyne. We end up with Belfast in April, both for the Stitch & Creative Crafts Show and the Art & Photography Framing Weekend

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Special Notice

The showroom at DIYframing will be closed for staff training on Thursday 5^th February.  All on line purchases will continue as usual.

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Great Exhibition: Focus on Imaging

Focus on Imaging 2009 promises to be bigger and better than ever.  It's always a great few days out with plenty for anyone involved in photography and creative imaging, from enthusiast to professional. Once again we will have a large stand at the show with a massive range of kit being demonstrated and ready for purchase.

This year we have a great special offer package for anyone wanting to buy mount cutters. Also there are details of a FREE photography framing seminar with visitors to our stand (B17) at Focus being given first refusal on places.

The exhibition runs from 22nd to 25th February at the NEC Birmingham.

Click FOCUS for full details

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Make Money From Picture Framing

There are so many different reasons why you might consider turning an interest into an income.  Over the last three years, we have trained over 50 people on our Business Development Weeks.  Some continue to work from home, others have already made picture framing a major part of their business.

The next chance to sign up for our seven day programme is upon us, with the course starting in late March.  Because the week is made up of one-day modules, if you have already completed part of the programme, you can pick up other key elements through the week.  Although the most cost effective way is to sign up for all seven days, you may want to choose any or all of the 3 practical days featured in the programme:

• Basics of Framing
• Mount Cutting & Decoration
• Business Development Day 1
• 3D Framing
• Conservation Framing
• Fabric Framing
• Business Development Day 2

It is definitely worth checking out how the programme works by clicking Business Week.

You may well need to book early to avoid disappointment. 

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Project Library

UK School of Framing is launching the first project of what will, eventually, become a library of picture framing ideas.  Each month we will be creating a framed piece of artwork and providing an information sheet on how you can try it for yourself.  A bit like a recipe card, you will be given a list of "ingredients" and methods used, as well as any training that might help with some of the skills involved.

The "Project Cards" can be downloaded as a PDF. They are aimed at people who are familiar with how to use their kit and understand the basic processes of picture framing.  There will, of course, be diagrams and illustrations but the explanations of methods are given in slightly broader terms than the "micro-steps" of the Handy Hints sheets.

The first idea deals with using shadows in your mounts to create a bit of depth to your picture.  It talks about adding spacers between mountboard layers, as well as making good creative choices for mouldings and mount colours.

Click Shadows & Depth for a direct link. In order to download these projects, you will need to be registered on the DIYframing website. To see the completed project "in the flesh", call in at the Beaconsfield showroom.

Always open to ideas, if you have a particular project you would like to see featured, please contact richard@diyframing.com

Next month's project will explore a stunning way of presenting an Egyptian papyrus.

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Spot the Ad

Have you noticed that the video box (top right on our web, home page) has now gone? It has been replaced by ads for all sorts of events, offers and latest news.  The design allows a random change from your current view each time you reload or refresh the home page. 

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Frame on the Farm - A Case Study

The amount of times DIYframing has been called DIY farming would probably not be a massive surprise: it is an easy mistake to make.  So it had to happen, at some point, that we managed to find a keen framer who is setting up their business in the farming community.

Alison Ridley is that person.  Although her own career was in a slightly different field (you've got to allow the odd pun!), a dental practice manager for eighteen years, things have changed in the last few years.  She lives on the family farm, run by her husband and his father, where she has been very busy as mother and housewife for the last six years. Although one daughter is still pre-school age, Alison sees that it's the ideal time to be building up her interest in framing, both as a hobby and new income.

Many thanks to Alison for taking the time to help us with this article.

Click Alison Ridley for her the full story.

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New - Magic Tape and Cloths

Two new items for sale in the store. 

We now stock 3M Magic 811 removable tape.  Ideal for masking areas for colouring mounts and line drawing.  The big advantage is that, even after being firmed into place, when removed, it genuinely will not lift any of the surface it is attached to. In fact, anywhere you need a good grip on a temporary fix, it's brilliant. Click MAGIC TAPE for direct link.

The second new product is glass cleaning cloths. Those of you who have been on any UK SoF training course will be familiar with the green, twill cloths used for cleaning the glass and for applying liming wax. Click CLOTHS for direct information link.

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