• Welcome to the Framer's Corner Forum, hosted by the Professional Picture Framers Association. (PPFA)
    You will have to register a free account, before you can SEARCH or access the system. If you have already registered, please LOG IN
    If you have already registered, but can't remember your password, CLICK HERE to reset it.
PPFA Connect Newsletter

Myths about the PPFA

R

Randy Parrish CPF

Frequent Poster
 
Messages
2,210
Loc
Ann Arbor Michigan
Company
Parrish Fine Framing
I posted this here because it will allow anyone to see and contribute. Whenever I talk to prospect members it amazes me the number of myths and preconceived ideas they have about the PPFA....so let's hear them.

You have to take a test (CPF?) to join....False
 
The comment I often hear is "I don't want to be in an organization with the competition!" FALSE

I see the generic competition as the box stores. Local PPFA members are like family members - yes we argue sometimes - have strong opinions - but we are the same family and we certainly try to help each other out. I guess we might be competition, but not really. We are competitive friends.

For example, one long term framer called and asked if I had a corner sample of xxxx. She needed it right away. So I loaned to her. Another example, I was having a problem on cutting a piece of Museum Glass (I was cutting by hand and long cuts were becoming a problem with my wrist) and I had 1 piece in stock. So I took it over and cut it at her place. {I now have a wall mounted glass cutter, but still cut small pieces by hand}

I visit quite a few frame shops and introduce myself and PPFA. Most are friendly, but a few seem annoyed that I am even in their shop! (that is their problem)

And, as I'm getting older I certainly referring more business to those that are PPFA friendly and maybe specialize in something unique that I don't do.
 
Perhaps not a myth, but certainly an unrealistic expectation!
I get the impression that some framers assume that if they spend the (small) annual fee to join, that money will rain down on them immediately!
In fact there can be a financial benefit from improving knowledge through certification! It does, however require some some studious and intelligent input by the member!

The question "What do I get out of it?" comes up often and it really depends on the individual framer studying the list of benefits and then taking advantage of as many benefits as they wish.


(One of the biggest benefits that many non-members may not see, is fellowship with other members. For me that has been an important benefit. I don't get to see my fellow members in person as often as you guys see each other in North America, but I am very pleased to have know so many of you for quite a while!)
 
You can NOT use clear glass.
You have to use Conservation Glass or UV protection
You can not use mats with acid in them.

If you are in the PPFA you arrive in your shop in the morning and whip up a batch of rice paste before even the coffee.

You frame EVERYTHING like H. Phibbs would, ready to hang in the Louvre.

If you do any of the above Jim Miller will pop outta your closet and bang ya on the head with a framers hammer.

...I just had a lesson the other day. Lady comes in for a frame for a piece of autumnal needlework, just a wee thing. I am punching up the numbers in Lifesaver. MG, Fabric Mats, lacing...yadda yadd.
Client says, "you know Cathy, I just don't want to spend that much on this, it's gonna come outta the closet 3 weeks a year". (Cathy thinks, "Holy Cow...I am pricing my way outta this, just pin it, offer great pricing on scrap pieces of mat and make the gal happy.) She has framed with me before, MG and all that jazz, but this is just a fun piece, let the client decide.

And I don't think that the framing gods will scowl at me. Knowing how to go all Hugh Phibbs on piece is great, knowing when NOT to is important too.
 
Last edited:
Myth: I could never learn all that stuff!

This is what I thought when I first got involved but then I found out I do not have to learn all that stuff. I have a wonderful network of friends from all over to contact and ask questions to make an informed decision. We have conservation experts, restoration experts, mounting experts, frame finishing experts, matting experts, mounting experts, hanging experts, and others available at the click of a mouse or the touch of a phone call to help us make informed decisions.

Myth: Everyone wants to steal my secrets

Surprise there are no secrets, only alternate ways of doing things. And guess what someone may have an easier way to do something that makes your life easier.

Myth: Everything must be conservation/preservation quality.

No it does not have to be, see Cathy's post above she explains it wonderfully! You have the knowledge to do things conservation/preservation but if the client only wants clear glass, slapped down on the photo with a tiny frame, go for it! No one will strike you down, we have all been there done that. But it is nice to explain the difference so the client can make an informed decision.

Myth: I can never dry mount anything again.

Wrong, just be sure you know what not do dry mount and explain why to the client. If they insist then you make the call, happy client or un-happy client?

Okay if I think of more I will post them!

Fun Thread Thanks!
Robin
 
All great points! Do I have your permission to use some of these 'myths' on our Chapter FB page?

The experts, the fellowship, the belonging to the ONLY professional group for PPFA is enough for me!
 
Myth: The cost of membership is not worth what you get out of it? Once a debatable concept like Ormond says some people think it should be a the end of a rainbow. I just totaled up the savings from the supplier offers in the new PPFA Member Advantage benefit. If a member where to use all the offers in the membership year the total saving so far would come to over $800.00 That is one years membership dues several times over.

Myth: The cost of membership is not worth what you get out of it? False
 
My resistance, even though I've been framing for almost 17 years, is that I don't chop and join my own frames, so in some way, I felt like I couldn't become a member because I didn't make my own frames. I may not be the only one that has this fear. Or heck, I may be the only one that doesn't chop and join! What are your thoughts?
 
Carrie Copeland said:
My resistance, even though I've been framing for almost 17 years, is that I don't chop and join my own frames, so in some way, I felt like I couldn't become a member because I didn't make my own frames. I may not be the only one that has this fear. Or heck, I may be the only one that doesn't chop and join! What are your thoughts?
Click to expand...
Many members don't own chopping equipment.
Can you help with why you thought "making your own frames" was a requirement?

There seems to be a perception that there are some kind of minimum requirements other than being a professional picture framer?
Maybe it's the definition of "Professional Picture Framer?"

Come to think of it, I'm not sure I've ever seen a definition?

The following appears on the PPFA website.

PPFA Code of Ethics

A member of the Professional Picture Framers Association shall:​
[TABLE="width: 100%"]
[TR]
[TD]•[/TD]
[TD]Maintain a dignity of manner and behavior in the presentation of services and in all other forms of professional conduct[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]•[/TD]
[TD]Observe the highest standards of honesty in all transactions, avoiding the use of false; confusing; inaccurate; or misleading terms, description, or claims[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]•[/TD]
[TD]Produce a product of a quality equal or superior to the samples displayed[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]•[/TD]
[TD]Recognize the responsibility to properly care for all art in one’s custody[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]•[/TD]
[TD]Contribute to the advancement of the profession, supporting industry standards and continuing education[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]•[/TD]
[TD]Recognize the authority of this Association in all matters relating to the interpretation of this Code of Ethics[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

​

PPFA Mission Statement

PPFA leads, unifies, and serves the art and framing industry as an advocate for its members and by offering programs that elevate professional standards, enhance profitability, and expand sales. PPFA will disseminate timely information, products, and services and provide forums contributing to increased profitability, business growth, and a sense of community for the global framing industries.


​
 
Hi Carrie and welcome! I think it is model that a lot of one or two person shops have taken on, lots of pros: it provides quick turn over, you don't have to eat a lot of mistakes, you don't have to store the materials the only con is you pay extra, but profit should be just as good.

There is no test of skills or knowledge to join, everyone is welcome, we are all here to self educate I think, to better framers and better entrepreneurs!
 
The application has this text in it:

" ... firms in the framing industry t ... memberships for individuals ..."

I guess it is implied that the individual memberships are for people in the "framing industry."
 
Welcome, Carrie!

Your business model is just as legitimate as any other. There are lots and lots of shops that operate that way.

We try to make everyone who loves framing welcome here. If you have ideas about how we can do a better job of that, I would love to hear them.
 
In general, we are custom pictureframers. A customer walks into the door with a certain artwork and of a specific size. That customer has a problem and needs our help to solve this problem.
How we solve that problem is unique to each framer, but it usually involves surrounding the artwork with four rails of wood.
 
Robin Gentry said:
Myth:

Myth: Everything must be conservation/preservation quality.

No it does not have to be, see Cathy's post above she explains it wonderfully! You have the knowledge to do things conservation/preservation but if the client only wants clear glass, slapped down on the photo with a tiny frame, go for it! No one will strike you down, we have all been there done that. But it is nice to explain the difference so the client can make an informed decision.

Okay if I think of more I will post them!

Fun Thread Thanks!
Robin
Click to expand...

I would like to add to this because it is a subject that I often have to deal with when giving advice to framers. I think Cathy Coggins said it best...the knowing when not to use it is important too. There are some hobby framers out there who are not it the business to make a living, but for the 98% who are and need to make a living this is my advice:

When it comes to getting the job or watching the customer walk because they can't afford full conservation framing, I will opt for getting the job every time. There aren't many of us who can afford not to do whatever it takes. The only time that I will not follow that rule is if the customer wants to do something that I know will damage a valuable piece of art. In that case, I will first try to convince them that full conservation is required and why. If they still won't go for it, I will give them some alternatives that will keep the art from being devalued or destroyed. For the most part, most customers are grateful when told that their art is valuable and will generally go for the full conservation. When they still insist on doing harm, it is the rare occasion that I will watch them walk. I've only had that almost happen once in my 20 + years in the business. In the end she did what I wanted her to do.

This would be a really good class for PPFA to offer: How to make a living without compromising the art. My motto: First do no harm, but make some money while you are doing it.
 
Cliff Wilson said:
Many members don't own chopping equipment.
Can you help with why you thought "making your own frames" was a requirement?

There seems to be a perception that there are some kind of minimum requirements other than being a professional picture framer?
Maybe it's the definition of "Professional Picture Framer?"

Come to think of it, I'm not sure I've ever seen a definition?

The following appears on the PPFA website.

PPFA Code of Ethics

A member of the Professional Picture Framers Association shall:​
[TABLE="width: 100%"]
[TR]
[TD]•[/TD]
[TD]Maintain a dignity of manner and behavior in the presentation of services and in all other forms of professional conduct[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]•[/TD]
[TD]Observe the highest standards of honesty in all transactions, avoiding the use of false; confusing; inaccurate; or misleading terms, description, or claims[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]•[/TD]
[TD]Produce a product of a quality equal or superior to the samples displayed[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]•[/TD]
[TD]Recognize the responsibility to properly care for all art in one’s custody[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]•[/TD]
[TD]Contribute to the advancement of the profession, supporting industry standards and continuing education[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]•[/TD]
[TD]Recognize the authority of this Association in all matters relating to the interpretation of this Code of Ethics[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

​

PPFA Mission Statement

PPFA leads, unifies, and serves the art and framing industry as an advocate for its members and by offering programs that elevate professional standards, enhance profitability, and expand sales. PPFA will disseminate timely information, products, and services and provide forums contributing to increased profitability, business growth, and a sense of community for the global framing industries.


​
Click to expand...

I got the idea that to be a "professional" I had to chop and join mainly from other framers. I had met other framers at a few small trade shows and almost everyone of them stopped talking to me about framing once they found out I didn't do my own chopping and joining. I have a small, but awesome!, shop and my husband and I will chop and join special orders, but I've never done it on a regular basis. Come to think of it, none of the people that seemed displeased at my lack of chopping and joining were member of the PPFA. I joined the PPFA because I had for years held myself to the code of ethics laid out by the association, I work to educate my customers in conservation and preservation and when we learn how to do things better, by reading magazines, the forums, framing books, we implement them. I always felt like I was a "professional" but I suppose felt less than acceptable in the industry because I didn't run a saw. Glad I put this out here, thank you for clearing up my confusion. You guys rock. :)
 
Carrie Copeland said:
... I don't chop and join my own frames, so in some way, I felt like I couldn't become a member ...
Click to expand...

This brings up another thought. Some people think you have to hand cut your mats or do fancy hand made decorations on your mats. NOT TRUE. There are framers that have only ever cut a mat on a CMC.

As much as I would love to say I can hand carve a mat just like Brian Wolf or do French Lines and Panels like Linda Wassell, Heck no I can't! My fancy cuts and grooves are done on my CMC. And now I can do Lines on my CMC, Thanks Wizard! I have done them by hand occasionally but do not do it regularly.

And you Have to be able to hand finish a frame like Mikki Kavich. Not me. I can do some basic alterations but that is it. Mikki can take four pieces of a tree limb and make a beautiful frame.

PPFA welcomes all degrees of framers we just want them to go by the code of ethics and always be open to learning and sharing.

Robin
 
Carrie, sometimes I wish I did not chop and join my frames, so much more work. And my workroom is tiny, so it is precarious. But, making the frame itself is really just one aspect of our huge task, and it is not necessarily a big one either, honey.

When people ask me about framing I get so excited as it is what I call a 'full brain' job. One side is technical, mathematical, problem-solving, craftsmanship, adding fractions down to the thirty-second in my head. But, the other glorious side that balances it is adding light, life, interest, brilliance to any piece of art.

Could be wrong here, and this is a Cathy original, no doubt said by someone else before, but nonetheless...The framing teaches the eye what to see. If it detracts from the art it is a fail, if it makes the art a feast for the eyes and your eyes can not stop moving across the piece drinking it all in, we both win. The art is in the glorious subtlety of what we do.

Carrie, your modesty does you credit. Your eagerness does you more. :smile:
 
Carrie Copeland said:
My resistance, even though I've been framing for almost 17 years, is that I don't chop and join my own frames, so in some way, I felt like I couldn't become a member because I didn't make my own frames. I may not be the only one that has this fear. Or heck, I may be the only one that doesn't chop and join! What are your thoughts?
Click to expand...

First, thanks for your honesty, and concern.

Some of the frames I sell are already joined before I get them. Others I buy as chops, and some I chop and join. All three options are viable and appropriate for me. And some of those I chop and join myself, I should probably do differently, because of the waste.

A lot of the framers I know, never chop and join, and it works for them. Sounds like it works for you too. GREAT!
 
Picture Framing Magazine
Back
Top