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Mikki Kavich MCPF

Mikki Kavich MCPF

Frequent Poster
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Messages
689
Loc
Crossville, TN
Company
Mikki's Frame Shop
Loving the increase in needlework coming into my shop and friends shops! Wish I knew how to push this trend back to coolness because stitchers make great clients!!

Are you also seeing more needlework in your area?
 
I wish...

We used to have several regular stitcher-customers, but not anymore. I miss them. These days the needle art we get to frame is usually very old, deteriorated, and brought in by heirs who care about it deeply. I wish today's hobbyist-stitchers could realize the potential sentimental value of the needle art they create as a hobby.

There are a few yarn shops and craft stores in our area selling needle art supplies, including "sticky board". They hold scheduled "classes", which are really more like cross stitching parties. The stores are staffed with people who think needle art is nothing more than a hobby, and not worth saving for the future. I have offered to provide cross stitch stretching kits at very low prices, with 8-ply cotton board, cotton thread, and lacing instructions. I have also offered kits with nickle-plated brass pins and ArtCare foam board cut to size, but no takers. I have offered to speak at their meetings & classes about framing, and how they can stretch and frame their needleworks for themselves, but they show no interest.

The yarn shops advise that custom framing is too expensive for normal people. So, their advice goes well beyond just trying to sell their destructive stuff, and actually goes against proper stretching and framing of needleart that could be cherished heirlooms in half a century - if it could survive. It is discouraging. :mmph:
 
Jim, get a needlework sample. Frame it, put it in the front window.

Contact EGA to ge the name of a local chapter. Advertise in their newsletter. Normally $20 a year for a business card size.

Prefer needlepoint tapestry over cross stitch. Contact ANG. Advertise with them.

Need a needlework sample to frame and put in the window, call Chickie, prolly have something to send you. My own needlework rarely gets framed, too busy.

My biggest brain thought idea I am DYING to put to use is contacting designers. Cross stitch designers normally don't drop a bunch on chart model framing, as their area of the fiber, needlework crafty kinda thing is suffering the most (ravaged by photo-copying piracy...don't get me started, it is a HUGE ball of wax).

There are MANY designers out there that could stand the use of a good framer. And a deal might even be made as a credit on a chart. Mikki has a designer friend she does work for. I have had the pleasure of framing for a few designers, and others have expressed interested....good framing sells needlework, well presented samples on charts causes clients to copy. Or even contact the original framer.

None of this will make ya a fortune, but 99% of my framing is Needlework, and framing for me is WAY UP.

If you build it they will come. May be you should cross stitch Jim, I could send you a wizzy kit, you won't be a David Lantrip over-night...but, ya never know.
 
Cathy Coggins said:
Jim, get a needlework sample. Frame it, put it in the front window.
Click to expand...
I have two in the gallery area.

Contact EGA...Contact ANG...
Click to expand...
I do not know these organizations. Could you please give the full titles so I can find them?

Thanks for the suggestions. Framing for hobbyist-stitchers was a big part of our business several years ago, but has simply diminished, and I believe it is for the reasons given above. One of the yarn shops went out of business late last year. Maybe if the other one drops out, too, we'll see more stitchers again. The consumers think the yarn shops offer cheaper options for framing and display. They do not, but perception is everything. I check occasionally, and our prices have always been competitive.

Chickie, I tried cross stitching once. Once. :mmph:
 
The ANG is the American Needlepoint Guild. EGA, Embroidery Guild, maybe?

Framers, remember the PPFA has a lovely informative brochure about framing needlework available to members.
 
Embroiderer's Guild of America I believe its headquarters is in KY. And there are many chapter in every state. Each chapter puts out a newsletter. Advertising in it is very reasonable, like $20 a year. I advertise in 2 or 3 chapter's newsletters.
Much like our organization they have some chapters that are REALLY performing and others...well not so much.
I understand some of the PA and WI chapters are hopping in participation and more advanced needlework and GREAT instructors. Those are just the ones I know off the cuff.

Jim, check http://www.egausa.org/ for a chapter in your area. Or American Needlepoint guild for more Neepdlepointy stuff.

I also believe needlework shops are closing faster than frame shops, yet I personally find needlework is UP. There has got to be a way of reaching some of these stitchers. Like advertising in stitchy magazines, or writing an article on proper needlework framing. Just Cross Stitch magazine was just recently sold by Hoffman Media to Annie's Attic...just a coupla thoughts. Needlepoint has an UBER fantastic magazine, I believe only sold in Needlework shops, called Needlepoint Now. Fab magazine. Sampler and Antique Needlework Quarterly is ALSO only available in Needlework shops or by subscription. Qualified leads!
 
Probably what helps too in getting some more customers with needleworks is to go to these meetings and do a presentation/ talk / seminar about framing needleworks. About the benefits of having their needlework framed by a professional rather than themselves or a friend who does some woodworking in their spare time. Face to face contact.
 
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