DECEMBER 2024
It has been a funny old year for us. Some great memories to look back on and some sad moments to reflect on. We have been immensely grateful to all our wonderful customers for your continued support of us and our business. The framing projects we have completed this year are so varied. From simple photographs and prints, to memory boxes and large 3D items. Memorabilia collections, amazing textile work, mirrors and so much more. We’ve seen a huge range of “over-sized” pieces through the workshop. Not just canvases, prints and mirrors, but memorably Wildlife Artist Annie Drew’s largest oil painting to date – a life-size cheetah. Delighted yet again to be a business other South West framers recommend people to!
This year as well as being long-standing members of the Fine Art Trade Guild’s Technical Helpline (for other Guild member framing professionals around the UK), we were pleased to join the Larson Juhl panel of Experts. Larson Juhl are the UK’s largest framing suppliers and their technical support is available to any framing professional in the UK. We received a wide variety of questions via this new forum and were delighted to be able to provide robust help and support. From a right angled frame that would fit into the corner of a wall, to resolving problems with float mounting a series of photographs from the USA. Every framer was given our advice and guidance and the positive feedback we received was very much appreciated.
Looking forward to 2025.
June 2024 saw The Framing Lot turn 18 years old. We are finally an adult! We’ve been able to reflect on just how much our business, and our own knowledge and expertise, has grown and changed over that time. We’ve been move involved in the functioning of the industry than we ever anticipated when we opened the doors in 2006. That new direction encouraged and allowed our development in a way we could not have imagined. Reflecting on our original business plan, real life circumstances, economic realities and industry developments have seen us move in different directions. But each change, each turn, has enabled us to be better as framers and business-people. We have grown so much in those 18 years and none of it would have been possible without the support of our wonderful customers and training students. So to each and every one of you – thank you.
2025 is already looking like a year of more potential changes worldwide. But we will be ready. We will hit the ground running when we return after our Christmas and New Year break on Tuesday 14th January. We have a busy order book to come back to, students already booked in with us during the first few months and plenty of projects for us to get our teeth into.
May we wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy, Peaceful, Restful, Healthy and Prosperous New Year. See you all in 2025!
Alec and Jo
NOVEMBER 2024
We are pleased to once again to be supporting the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal. You can pick up your poppy from us anytime between 1st and 11th November.
We’ve been busy training again – with a Scholarship Student spending two days with us in October and then a Business Consultation Day at a student’s premises in the South West this month. We have loved getting into the education side of the industry. One student had been a working framer for 16 years, but this was her first formal framing education having previously been taught on the job. We were able to reassure on areas she was extremely competent on, and advise and educate where there were gaps in her knowledge. With particular focus on best practice when working with textiles and Level 2 (Conservation) framing. The two days were great exam preparation as she works towards her foundation level Guild Certified Framer qualification in 2025.
We are getting busy with orders due before Christmas – but are not planning on closing our order book until at least early December.
OCTOBER 2024
Bonfire night came early for us this year, as the tides meant that Shaldon Village’s annual Bonfire and Fireworks evening took place on the last Saturday in October, instead of closer to November 5th. Every year we hand over all the unwanted old frames left with us by customers, as well as chippings from where we’ve cut new frames and any twisted or bent lengths of frame moulding. It all gets taken off by the organizing committee and turned into a themed bonfire spectacular on Shaldon beach. This year was a pirate theme and we were happy to make our usual donation to help this great community event.
In true “Blue Peter” style, here’s one we made earlier!
We know that customers can sometimes struggle to visualize a technique we will use, or a style of framing we are suggesting. That’s why we try to keep a good variety of items on our walls to demonstrate what we mean. We also have a variety of visual aids to explain an unfamiliar technique, particularly with methods of supporting items in frames. We often use these when we are training other framers in best practice. But they are very useful to help explain and reassure customers on how their work will be presented. This month we’ve updated our wall display with some additional items to do just that. With more in the pipeline as time allows.
SEPTEMBER 2024
As the nights start to draw in and the weather turns cooler, we are once again gearing up for Devon Open Studios. With so many amazing venues to visit across Devon there will be something new for you to discover. The FREE event guide is available from us here at the workshop. Find out more here -> https://devonartistnetwork.co.uk/devon-open-studios-2024/
Creating truly bespoke frame design in collaboration with our customer’s vision.
Meeting someone “under the clock” at railway stations was a phrase in use as early as 1869. The clock at Waterloo Station in particular has
become synonymous with romantic rendezvous. So what could be better than a beautiful print depicting a romantic meet-up? The bold colour palette deserved something fitting. We created a bespoke paint mix to match the violet tones. This was then used as a keyline detail in the hand painted mount. And then replicated on the frame moulding itself. By creating focus on the shadow colours of the print, we allow the bolder colours to catch the eye. The broad mount borders allow balance and space between the colours in the artwork and the frame. Completed with anti-reflection glazing, this has become a feature piece for our customer’s home.
We keep many hundreds of frame moulding examples to choose from. From the very simple, to the grand and elaborate. But sometimes nothing “off the peg” is quite right. This is where our hand-finished frame mouldings and hand-painted mount options come into their own. Allowing us freedom at the design desk to create a custom piece that is exactly right.
“It’s good to take time to have constructive peer group discussions occasionally. Stepping outside your own workshop environment and observing the world around you to allow fresh inspiration into your work.”
We travelled up to Scotland at the end of September to attend an Invitation Only industry CPD event. We spent time in the cities of Glasgow and Perth. A small select group of qualified framers from around the UK and The Netherlands gathering together. This of course resulted in plenty of discussions on techniques and industry innovations. We reviewed recent projects – shared information on useful new suppliers. As accredited trainers and certified examiners we chatted extensively about the courses and exams undertaken since we last met.
Of course we included cultural visits too – and spent time looking at art and framing in museums, stately homes and even how art is incorporated in retail establishments. With plenty of social interaction too and some fierce rivalry at the pool table! And of course the obligatory Tunnock’s Teacake (or two)!! And as lovely added bonus for us, a brief but very welcome visit from our elder son who is currently working in Scotland.
AUGUST 2024
We are very grateful to everyone for their patience and understanding over the past month. We’re very aware that we’ve had disrupted hours and opening days. Also, that there are have been some additional delays to orders being completed. The warmth of support has been very much appreciated by both of us.
We are slowly but surely getting back to normal working and will be making every effort to achieve normal lead times before the end of the month.
Framing Examination Centre and Training Workshop
Week commencing 19th August we will also be welcoming two visitors to the workshop. On the Monday we turn to our role as the South West Examination Centre for the Guild Certified Framer qualification. This is the entry level qualification from the Fine Art Trade Guild. It is the foundation stone that all framers have to attain before they can progress to the Advanced module learning and exams. We are welcoming one of our former students to take their first exam. Jo will be the examiner on the day and the candidate is one of the Larson Juhl Scholars.
Alongside the exam we will be hosting our latest student for a full week Foundation Course. Alec and Jo will be putting on their Guild Accredited Trainer hats to teach a full week of framing skills. The student is aiming to become a full time bespoke framer and taking over an existing business in the Home Counties area.
But customer work will be taking place alongside our teaching and examiner duties and customer design and collection appointments are available all week as normal.
JULY 2024
We had to delay our return to work after our summer break by a day due to a family bereavement. However, as of Wednesday 17th July we are back in the workshop and open as normal. The funeral is taking place in early August. To allow us time to attend and spend precious time with family and friends at this difficult time, the workshop will be closed on Thursday 8th, Friday 9th and Saturday 10th August. Our thanks to everyone for their kind messages over the past few weeks and for your support and understanding at this time of family grief. It is, and has been, very much appreciated by us both.
Brian Pearce: 14th December 1931 to 15th July 2024
Jo’s Dad, Brian, was a regular visitor to the workshop over the past 18 years. Often imparting words of wisdom on woodworking projects, or sorting out the filing of customer order sheets. A job he insisted on taking on in 2012, and maintained in very good order from then on. Brian helped Alec construct many of our workbenches and he designed our customer design desk. Problem solving the sloping floor, by calculating the individual table leg heights to create a level worktop.
Brian’s career was as a woodwork and metalwork teacher. But his retirement was never about putting his feet up! Always one to be busy, he loved nothing more than to get stuck in – popping on his workshop white coat, tucking a pencil behind his ear and teasing Alec about something or other, before putting heads together to draw up plans and create a saw-dusty mess! Over the 30+ years Alec has been part of the family, Dad has imparted so much knowledge and taught so many skills. Lessons that were then also passed on to our two sons.
Brian was an ear to bend, a treasure trove of knowledge and experience, the lender of many, many woodworking tools. Someone who delighted in our successes, qualifications and accomplishments. He was always ready with a shoulder to lean on and a pride in both of us that has always boosted us and given us that confidence to be the very best we can be at what we do, and how we do it. We shall miss him more than words can say, and certainly as much here at work as we will in every other aspect of our lives.
A true gentleman in every sense of the word. He was one of the very best people we will ever know. Quite simply utterly loved and adored by all his family. We will miss him every day.
JUNE 2024
We are just wrapping the final orders finished this month – before we head off on a well-earned summer break. We head off at noon on Saturday 22nd June. Back in action again from 10am on Tuesday 16th July. You can book appointments with us for when we return via the website – or if you’d rather not register or login, then feel free to email us at enquiries@theframinglot.co.uk and we will co-ordinate with you on our return.
A quick word of warning. As usual we are leaving an answerphone message while we are away. But BT are still resolving some issues with our line and the transfer from the old copper wiring to the new fibre optic system. Unfortunately they cannot guarantee when the “blockage” will sort itself out and the changeover will happen. If it does go live while we are away, our old answerphone won’t be connected anymore. So if you call and there isn’t a method to leave a message – that is why. We will still be able to access any messages on our return, and we can get the new system up and running fully when we are back. Update: the new phone system is now up and running and working smoothly.
It has just started to rain as I’m typing this – so we hope that everyone gets to enjoy some sunshine over the new few weeks (us included)!
June also sees The Framing Lot turn 18 years old! We will raise a glass on the 26th June to this achievement and look forward to continuing to develop our business in the years to come. Our continued thanks to each and every customer who has entrusted us with their framing projects throughout those 18 years.
MAY 2024
Exactly as we planned, our lead times have remained steady at 3 weeks, achieving some jobs under that deadline. We’ve both kept very busy again this month working on a wide variety of tasks. Including plenty of needlework items, 3D items and memory box collections. One collection was of police memorabilia featuring items from the customer’s grandfather and great-grandfather. Both had served in the Metropolitan Police. It included a wooden truncheon, police whistle, photograph and also two sets of mounted medals – on their original mounts which had to be retained. Lots of ingenuity needed to keep everything supported using reversible methods. We loved the finished result and were delighted to receive this warm message from the family …
“We gave Dad his frame today and he absolutely loves it!! He got very emotional and set everyone off. Thanks to you both again, it is an amazing piece that will be loved for a very long time.”
We trained another student on our 5-Day Picture Framing Foundation Course. Chris was a complete novice, but by the end of the week had successfully mounted and framed his course certificate. He laced a cross-stitch, stretched a canvas over bars and learnt the “dark arts” of ruled lines and V grooves as mount decoration. Two more students will be with us next month, taking advantage of our bespoke modular days to create truly individual courses to suit their exact training requirements. You can find out more about our range of professional focussed courses here: Training Courses Overview
APRIL 2024
It has certainly been a damp start to the year weather-wise. That may be why we’ve had quite a few pieces of previously framed art on paper brought in that had cockled and buckled. It usually happens when the paper tries to expand or contract due to a rise or fall in temperature and humidity, but the method of support doesn’t allow it to do that in the right way. Holding the paper tight by taping around all four edges, or in each corner, isn’t a correct method of support. Because it only has the option to expand and contract across the centre – causing those ripples, cockling and buckling. We even had one oil painting on a canvas board that had bent almost into an S shape, with the customer expecting us to say it wasn’t suitable for framing.
Did you know that we are also Associate Members of the Institute of Conservation? This allows us to access their publications, expertise and workshops.
Luckily, through our Advanced Conservation Framing knowledge and drawing on years of learning and experience, Jo has now become very adept at resolving these issues in a safe and controlled way. After we had returned it to a flatter state, we were able to re-frame each piece more suitably. And as you’d expect, this time with the benefit of using the correct hinging methods, or alternative methods of support!
We’re also pleased to report that despite the volume of work we’ve seen during 2024, we have now returned to our normal lead times and will maintain those going forward.
A beautiful piece of artwork from Ukraine.
When a customer brings in a piece of artwork that they’ve bought from a Ukrainian artist to help raise funds for their war effort, what better way to display it than by utilising the colours of the Ukrainian flag? Taking one of our signature hand-painted Keyline mounts and adding a fourth layer gave us the opportunity to focus on the vibrant colours in the piece. Pairing it with a high gloss black frame, and giving it the benefit of anti-reflection glazing. It really felt very poignant to be framing something that was sent out from within a war zone. We loved how the finished piece looked. We hope the artist would agree that we did it justice.
Our Keyline mounts are always hand-painted in the exact colour of your choice. As it’s bespoke there is always the option to add additional layers. This makes it a truly custom choice and allows for many more design opportunities than traditionally produced factory finished mount board colours provide. We produce our Keyline mounts using either Cotton mount boards at Level 1 or Conservation boards at Level 2 framing. Where appropriate we also offer our Keyline frame range. Hand-painted frames in a variety of shapes and sizes to match or contrast with the mount choice.
MARCH 2024
We rounded off this first quarter of 2024 with it being the busiest start to a year for us in our near 18 years of trading. Not only have we seen a fantastic variety of individual bespoke framing orders, but we also completed an order of 84 frames for an artist’s first ever solo show in London. Alec was busy in his sanding and painting rooms producing his bespoke hand-finished frames and specialist construction pieces. While Jo has completed fully reversible support methods for many textile framing projects and 3D memorabilia items. Thanks to all our lovely customers, we’ve had plenty of opportunity to problem solve at the design. Coming up with innovative solutions and ideas to bring our customer’s vision into reality. That truly is such a fun part of what we get to do. 
If you want to see more of what we get up to you can follow us on Facebook and Instagram @theframinglot.
Putting on our “other” hats, March was also busy for us with training and hosting exams. We are the designated trainers for an industry scholarship scheme. This month we welcomed two young framers, both fairly new to the industry. We put them through 2 days of specialist training, designed to move them towards their first framing qualifications. The Fine Art Trade scheme oversee the programme, and it is sponsored by industry giants Larson Juhl UK Ltd. The following week we were delighted to welcome back someone we trained last year under the same scheme. We are a designated examination centre for The Fine Art Trade Guild, with both Alec and Jo Certified Examiners for the basic and Advanced level exams. As an exam candidate, Libby was great and we were delighted to inform her that she had passed her Guild Certified Framer exam. Well done Libby!
March finished with our usual four day break over the Easter Weekend. Setting us up nicely for the start of April …. with more work and training to come!
FEBRUARY 2024
January was our busiest ever. The volume and variety of orders coming in was a great start to the New Year. This has extended our lead time slightly as we catch up with everything, but we are working through the orders very well and are hoping to be back to normal by the end of the month.
Back before Christmas we did a last minute framing job for artist Jane Perkins, that was all very hush hush. TIME Magazine had commissioned her to create a portrait of Taylor Swift, the TIME Person of the Year 2023. Jane is giving an illustrated talk all about the project “Adventure from Devon to NYC in 193 Emails” on Friday 1st March at 7pm in Kenton Victory Hall. Tickets are £10 per person and include a free poster of the unique artwork with “Easter Egg” hunt. The Give 2 Go Green project to mend the broken windows in All Saints’ Church, Kenton will receive all proceeds. With every pound raised match funded by the Church of England. Please give us a call if you would like the contact details.
“Every day is a learning day! Any framer who says they don’t need to continue to learn, has closed their mind to the possibilities of improved methods, techniques and materials.”
This month we travelled up to North Wales as part of our on-going CPD. Peer review and discussion is an important part of our on-going CPD process. With just a handful of working framers worldwide who have achieved the fully qualified status of the base level GCF qualification and all three available Advanced qualifications, it was a great opportunity to get together with some of those colleagues and discuss industry trends, new techniques and products. As they are also fellow Guild Examiners and Guild Accredited Trainers – we also took time to discuss feedback and improvements to examinations and continue to develop our training courses for our students. This was very timely as next month we are welcoming our latest students to the workshop for training and we have an examination booked, with us hosting as a Guild Approved Examination Centre.
JANUARY 2024
A cold start back to the New Year – but the workshop reopened as scheduled on Tuesday 16th January. Despite the weather (and the on/off threats of snow!) we are pleased to see a good few appointments in the diary for customers bringing in new work, or collecting finished items. It is always great to be starting back with a pleasingly busy order book, with our first priority to clear all the work that came in before our break. We certainly have enough to keep us out of mischief this month!
In the final few days of last year we took time out to re-organise our display walls – we have one area by the design desk, and a new area in the main workshop above one of our work benches and along the edge of our mezzanine level. This allows us to show framed examples of various frame and mount design styles. We’ve added some new items such as a stitched sampler from the 1800s, a triangular flag frame and Alec’s bespoke version of a St Ives style frame. You will notice a few gaps in the display though, as we have additional items that will be completed and added to the walls in the coming weeks.
“We’ve finally taken down our Covid glass screening”
It had become such a part of the furniture that we’d almost stopped noticing it. But we’ve now removed it and stored it safely away (hopefully to never need it again) and we’ve redesigned the till area with a low level unit with a bit of storage. This has also created a slightly bigger area to display mount board chevrons and Alec will be making some new display boxes as we expand our range, particularly of our signature keyline mounts.
We’ve recently added the Crescent Mountboard range of cotton Level 1 boards. The range of tones available from our previous supplier was getting more limited, so we’ve moved across to the Crescent boards and have been pleased to see already how they are working at the design desk. Being able to offer the protection level of a cotton board in the right circumstances, with the added benefit of a bigger choice of colours and tones, has made this switch worthwhile.
We are looking forward to another bumper year of framing.