New to Framing
I left the federal government after 17 years and was an expert in PACA law and investigations. But I always daydreamed about having an art or art adjacent job.
In April I started at a frame shop in my town. I have learned a ton of stuff and have a lot more to learn. I’ve even tag teamed a Hermes scarf frame job with the owner. I’ve learned the wizard cutter (basics), other needlework, jerseys, v nailing, canvas stretching and am pretty good at selecting mats and frames for customers.
The problem is I feel like I’m making a ton of mistakes still! First…I sliced my finger on the mitre chopper which just felt stupid. I’ve mixed up tickets, put orders into the system wrong, forget to charge for things like backing board. I have had to redo frames because my mitres weren’t meeting as nice as the owner would like (actually this has happened a few times but the majority are fine). The owner has mentioned that my mistakes cost money.
There are many other factors (like all her employees left at the same time through no fault of the owner) and I was hired to replace them all who had 5+ years experience.
There was talk id buy the shop after she retired even.
Now I’m wondering if 4 months in I should be further ahead than I am? That maybe I’m not cut out for the perfection required to be a good framer. I was planning on trying for my cpf at my year mark.
Does anyone have any insight or advice for me? I’m really throwing myself in but feel overwhelmed and like too much information coming in at once.
Any information would be greatly appreciated!
