I look forward to spending time on this site. I'm from the High Desert of Southern California, about halfway between Los Angeles and Las Vegas. I live in Victorville, but work as a government contract manager 80 miles away at Fort Irwin, an Army desert warfare training base. About ten years ago, I made a New Year's resolution to learn how to properly frame pictures, so I went over to the Fort Irwin Frame Shop (at the craft center run by my company's contract personnel), took the class, and over the next few years got more involved, framing awards, assisting the staff with customer projects, and teaching basic framing to soldiers and military family members. Because my management job allows me plenty of latitude, I now frame several hundred items a year as an additional voluntary duty, mostly award certificates for Fort Irwin employees.
I joined the PPFA about six years ago, passed the CPF exam in 2008, and am now preparing to take the MCPF exam next year during the convention. Last year, my New Year's resolution was to get more involved in our professional organization, so I became active in the Greater Los Angeles Chapter and volunteered to put together the chapter's newsletter; the 17th monthly issue just went out this week.
One of this year's resolutions was to get more involved in social networking, so here I am. I am also intrigued by the Grumble site, a member of something called Linked In (although I'm not sure what to do with it), and I may even get a Facebook account someday.
I'm not a full time framer now, but I may be before the end of the year, as my government contract is scheduled to end in a few months. To jump start this goal, I recently bought all materials and equipment of one of the three frame shops in the area, and my 60' garage is now filled. My focus at present is on the non-framing aspects of running a small business, of which there are many, as most of you know. I'm in a pretty good position to open a shop, but frankly the prospect scares the hell out of me on several levels. I will greatly appreciate the support I know I will get from the professionals on this site.
I joined the PPFA about six years ago, passed the CPF exam in 2008, and am now preparing to take the MCPF exam next year during the convention. Last year, my New Year's resolution was to get more involved in our professional organization, so I became active in the Greater Los Angeles Chapter and volunteered to put together the chapter's newsletter; the 17th monthly issue just went out this week.
One of this year's resolutions was to get more involved in social networking, so here I am. I am also intrigued by the Grumble site, a member of something called Linked In (although I'm not sure what to do with it), and I may even get a Facebook account someday.
I'm not a full time framer now, but I may be before the end of the year, as my government contract is scheduled to end in a few months. To jump start this goal, I recently bought all materials and equipment of one of the three frame shops in the area, and my 60' garage is now filled. My focus at present is on the non-framing aspects of running a small business, of which there are many, as most of you know. I'm in a pretty good position to open a shop, but frankly the prospect scares the hell out of me on several levels. I will greatly appreciate the support I know I will get from the professionals on this site.