Name something that could change our industry for the better.

How about a sit-com centered on a frame shop? I'm thinking a John Cleese/Fawlty Towers scenario. Lots of yuks in a frame shop.

"My Name Is Earl" is the only comedy I have seen with a frame shop making a regular appearance. Earl's dad owns a frame shop and occasionally they make reference to it. When his dad wants to avoid family get togethers, etc. he always has a framing emergency.

My favorite framing emergency was at Christmas time when they were supposed to be caroling he had to go down to the shop all day and late into the night because all of the 5x7 frames arrived 7x5.
 
Guess I'll have to watch Earl and pick up some pointers!
 
If you are buying a finished product for resale you are not required to become COC certified. However, in order to MAKE and sell an FSC COC product, you, as a manufacturer in the process would have to become COC certified.


David, Thank you for your manufacturers insight. If I am buying a chop finished for resale is that a product that is different than a length of moulding that is finished for resale? I do not believe custom framers are considered manufacturers in the strictest sense, am I wrong? If we independent framers have to be COCustody certified before you can let clients know they bought a FSC frame , well, that would be a shame. NC must have done enough research to feel they could proceed with an ECO program.Like Bill said, Nurre Caxton is indeed providing the sticker for the back of the frame,and for the back of the samples etc. There is some info to fill out on each one, The stickers are sold in sheets, not provided at delivery of a chop or a length. They are specifically to be used for their Sherwood line and the black satins.
The FSC ,COC is a nuance that I am capitalizing on in my shop. I am very much a cherry picker when it comes to samples on my wall from all my moulding suppliers. For the sake of supporting the effort it takes to satisfy the FSC,COC criteria I carry the samples that satisfy it. I agree Bill, the NC Sherwood line can look a bit 'thirsty', but I am displaying it. My clients cant buy it if I dont show it. NC may not put together that it is the design or the eco-ness that makes the line a success or not. All I can do is do my bit. I sell what looks good for my clients, the FSC is BONUS! Larson is playing well with others too,their Biltmore and Serrano lines come wood burned on the sample backs with the FSC info. They too provide stickers and display info. Time for Roma and Studio and Yadda Yadda Yadda to join in.
My younger clients seem to be even more tuned into this stuff, and we are all looking for ways to generate interest from the younger generation. A fresh high school grad just laid down nearly $200. for a sherwood frame, she liked the less shiny look,and she had several blacks to chose from, so go figure. She was pleased that her choice was also certified ecologically sound. Bonus for everyone: Me Her, NC,FSC,Earth.
 
I'd like to see more branding to the consumer by the moulding companies. In the fashion industry, manufacturers like Prada and Gucci advertise extensively, building consumer demand for what happen to be very expensive items with relatively short shelf lives. These products aren't just sold in Prada and Gucci stores; you can get them at Nordstrom, Macy's, and other retailers.

So it would be nice if the leading companies -- Larson-Juhl, Roma, Nurre Caxton, etc. -- would promote their brands to the public, creating the kind of demand for a Roma or Nurre Caxton frame that there is for that Armani handbag. So far, it seems like only Larson-Juhl is doing this. Create the right image for their products, and people will want them no matter the price. It helps us and it helps the suppliers.
 
Shayla is right on with the CMC visit thing. Especially since we pay what we do for the lease. Even if we could get a free tweak every 24 months. Or pay a small fee if we request a tweak!

Should be some sort of tune up available by a certified tech. I'm sure
there is if you want to throw a bunch of $ at them.

I also would like a magic box that you could put a needlework in and it would come out the other end stretched PERFECTLY! I can do needlework but a NSM would be wonderful. (Needlework Stretching Machine)
 
I'd like to see more branding to the consumer by the moulding companies. In the fashion industry, manufacturers like Prada and Gucci advertise extensively, building consumer demand for what happen to be very expensive items with relatively short shelf lives. These products aren't just sold in Prada and Gucci stores; you can get them at Nordstrom, Macy's, and other retailers.


I totally agree!

Look at the advertising in the home remodeling industry. Mohawk Carpet, Moen and Delta faucets. Olympic Paints. Kohler. Pergo Flooring. It is a long list.

Lowe's and Home Depot do not pay for those commercials, the manufactures do. They want you to remember their name and product when you go to make your purchase. To them, it doesn't matter where you buy, just buy their stuff.

It must work. There is huge money spent on it.
 
If I am buying a chop finished for resale is that a product that is different than a length of moulding that is finished for resale? I do not believe custom framers are considered manufacturers in the strictest sense, am I wrong? If we independent framers have to be COCustody certified before you can let clients know they bought a FSC frame , well, that would be a shame.

From the FSC website:

FSC chain of custody (CoC) tracks FSC certified material through the production process - from the forest to the consumer, including all successive stages of processing, transformation, manufacturing and distribution.

Only FSC CoC certified operations are allowed to label products with the FSC trademarks. The FSC label thus provides the link between responsible production and consumption and thereby enables the consumer to make socially and environmentally responsible purchasing decisions.


I would take this to mean that the moulding company could mark their moulding (including samples) with the trademark, and you could demonstrate that to customers, but you could not label the finished product unless you become COC certified yourself.
 
I'd like to see more branding to the consumer by the moulding companies. In the fashion industry, manufacturers like Prada and Gucci advertise extensively, building consumer demand for what happen to be very expensive items with relatively short shelf lives. These products aren't just sold in Prada and Gucci stores; you can get them at Nordstrom, Macy's, and other retailers.

So it would be nice if the leading companies -- Larson-Juhl, Roma, Nurre Caxton, etc. -- would promote their brands to the public, creating the kind of demand for a Roma or Nurre Caxton frame that there is for that Armani handbag. So far, it seems like only Larson-Juhl is doing this. Create the right image for their products, and people will want them no matter the price. It helps us and it helps the suppliers.

Paul, you do see ads for Larson in many home decor magazines. I may recall seeing Nurre and Roma, too.

Now what about tv ads? If a local chapter of the ppfa could get an ad deal with the local cable company, splitting the cost between participating members to promote local framers, not just one shop that would be a good thing. Something like, "we in the PPFA believe in quality and value yada yada and so do our certified framers yada yada come visit one at one of these stores in your area" and list the shops at the end. Split the ad between four or five shops and it's only a few hundred each, and the cable company handles much of the production. The regions for each chapter span far enough there shouldn't be much concern for competition.
 
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