PPFA News Clips

NewspaperARCHIVE.com, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, which contains more than 85 million digitized newspaper pages in searchable format, selected Graphik Dimensions Ltd., High Point, N.C., to enhance their shopping cart feature and to offer customers a selection of custom frames for their historic newspaper print orders. The Graphik Dimensions framer plug-in will enable users to view their selected print in a variety of frames. All framed prints will ship directly from Graphik Dimensions pre-framed and ready to be hung.

NewspaperARCHIVE.com, the largest historical newspaper database online, contains tens of millions of newspaper pages from 1759 to present. Every newspaper in the archive is fully searchable by keyword and date, making it easy to quickly explore historical content. NewspaperArchive.com is a subsidiary of Heritage Microfilm, an archival microfilm and digitization company.

Founded in 1965, Graphik Dimensions Ltd., parent company of pictureframes.com, is a privately held company offering volume printing and framing, as well as integrated fulfillment programs for on-demand, mass-customized products, product development, web services, and image-selling solutions for businesses, artists and photographers.

An AIE Imaging Executive Podcast discusses how business leaders can stay on top of the big picture, rather than getting bogged down in day-to-day minutiae. PMA Senior Editor Jennifer Kruger interviews Amie Devero, author of the book "Powered by Principle" and founder of The Devero Group, a Tampa, Fla.-based consulting firm specializing in management strategy.

Several past podcasts are available for download. You can listen to the current week's show on the site; or, subscribe on the "Subscribe in iTunes" button, and each new show will automatically download to your computer. If you don't have iTunes, you can download it for free. To use another program, click on the small orange and gray button on the site that says "Syndication RSS 2.0." If you still need help, watch the online tutorial. The AIE Imaging Executive Podcast is free and available to anyone. No iPod required; podcasts will play on any computer with speakers.

There are tips on hanging and displaying art; and protecting artwork from light, humidity, water, acid, mold and bugs; as well as articles on framing silver heirlooms, animation cels, ivory objects, wedding bouquets, tintypes, brass rubbings, diplomas, sports jerseys, military medals and more.

Consumers can search for custom framers - including Certified Picture Framers and Master Certified Picture Framers - on an international database.

The site provides access to the Crescent Framing Council, a group of professionals who offer valuable tips and guidance on a variety of topics, from color trends to business strategies. In addition, users can download consumer postcards and articles, and updates on Crescent's ongoing public awareness campaign. Framers also can sign up to receive free tips and quarterly enewsletters.

"We developed the new site in response to demand from framers who have requested additional marketing support," says Kate McCarthy, senior vice president of marketing for Crescent. "We will continue to update and add to the content to provide as many tools as possible for the framer."

Picture framers from around the world have rallied to help Valorie Morgan, owner of Heart & Home Custom Framing Gallery in Carson City, Nev. Morgan was recently hospitalized with pneumonia, but is home again and back at her store. Framers and suppliers have gone in person to help -- or are planning to go -- and/or have donated money, frequent flier miles and more, and sent many cards, flowers, letters and emails of support.

Digital Foci Inc., Compton, Calif., announces a Custom Framer Program for PPFA members for its Image Moments 8 digital photo frame. PPFA members will receive a free Adapter Ring Kit ($10 value) with every purchase of Image Moments 8 (model IMT-083). The program will help framers create unique options for customers that bring together their expertise with Digital Foci ' s high-quality Image Moments 8 digital photo frame

F eatured in Decor Magazine (May 2008) and winner of the Professional Photographer 2008 Hot One Award, the Image Moments 8 digital photo frame 8 ships with 3 interchangeable mats in cream, gray, and black, helping framers create the best style when matching Image Moments 8 with custom molding. The proprietary adapter ring design supports limitless custom framing options said Charles Huang, director of Business Development at Digital Foci

Image Moments 8 displays photos on its 8-inch high-resolution SVGA (800x600) digital LCD screen with 500:1 contrast ratio. Equipped with 450MB of internal memory, Image Moments 8 stores more than 3,000 photos (with an image resolution of 1024x768). For additional memory, photos can be viewed from all popular memory cards, including CompactFlash, SD/HC card, MMC, Memory Stick, MS PRO, xD-Picture Card, and even MS Duo/MS PRO Duo directly, without the need of an adapter.

Star Custom Framers and Gallery, Stow, Mass., presented an exhibit of wildlife drawings by Nina Arbella in April and May, with 5 percent of all sales in April donated to Eye of the Storm Equine Rescue. On May 24, Steve Ziegler, owner of Star Custom Framers, presented Arbella with two checks totaling over $800 for six pieces of her art that were sold as well as 5 percent of the shop's gross sales for April.
Arbella is founder of Eye of the Storm, Equine Rescue, Inc, a nonprofit organization that cares for abandoned and crippled horses. To volunteer or make donations to the horses, call 978-897-8866, or visit www.equine-rescue.com.

PPFA members in Canada can participate in a newly offered plan -- and receive discounts on commercial property/comprehensive general liability insurance. They can select a policy designed specifically for PMA members or receive discounts when custom designing a policy through All-Risks Insurance Brokers Ltd. The policy includes: contents of every description, retailers product impairment, exterior signs, building glass, loss of business income, extra expense, valuable papers, professional fees, sewer backup, earthquake and flood, and comprehensive general liability. For more information, visit www.all-risks.com/pma. U.S. members have property, liability, and workers compensation insurance offered by Meadowbrook Insurance Group.

The PPFA Advisory Committee met at PMA May 7-8. Pictured, left to right: Barbara Pelton, MCPF, Artfully Framed, Poplar Bluff, Mo.; Robin Gentry, MCPF, B & J Gallery, Bowling Green, Ky.; Michael Derr, CPF, Frame-n-Art, Albuquerque, N.M.; Fran M. Gray, MCPF, Roney's Creative Picture Framing & Gallery, Florence, S.C.; Jim Miller, MCPF, GFC, Artframe Inc., Pickerington, Ohio; Gene A. Ausili, CPF, The Picture Show, Valencia, Calif.; Mark Klostermeyer, MCPF, Design Frames LLC, Falls Church, Va; Jenny Erlandson, Vicki Schober Co. Inc., Waukesha, Wis.; John Pruitt, CPF, The Frameworks, Carrollton, Texas; Roy Hermann, CPF, Frame 'N Rail, Canyon Country, Calif. Not pictured: Rob Markoff, CPF,Gallery Services, San Diego, Calif.

Five PPFA members earn MCPF designation

Congratulations to these five PPFA members who earned the designation of Master Certified Picture Framer (MCPF) -- the highest in the association -- during the Lone Star Picture Framers Conference, May 3-4, in San Antonio, Texas :

Stephen Gase, MCPF, Bradley's Art & Frame, Houston, Texas

Robert Grothues, MCPF, Art Incorporated, San Antonio, Texas

Paul MacFarland, MCPF, Art Preservation Resources, Athens, Ohio.

Jennifer Robey, MCPF, Bradley's Art & Frame, Houston, Texas

Lucille Quay, MCPF, Bradley's Art & Frame, Houston, Texas

It brings the total number of members who have earned the advanced certification to 54.

Framing Success Inc., Virginia Beach, Va., a leader in custom diploma framing, was acquired by Herff Jones Inc. on April 4. Framing Success will maintain its name and will continue to operate from its new headquarters building in Virginia Beach.

Since 1989, Framing Success has been a leading provider of custom embossed diploma and certificate frames in the United States, serving close to 2,000 universities, colleges, corporations, and professional organizations across the country.

Manufacturer and publisher Herff Jones, based in Indianapolis, Ind., was established in 1920 and specializes in commencement regalia, announcements, rings, medals and awards, yearbooks, school photography, and other educational materials.

Chelsea Frames, New York, NY., named Jaclyn Acker as its new Director of Operations, and also as a managing partner in the firm.

The company, that has continued to see tremendous growth in the past 15 years, is expanding its Manhattan facility to over 14,000 square feet, President Daniel Beauchemin said.

Lone Star Picture Framers' Conference set May 3-4

The Central Texas Chapter of the Professional Picture Framers Association (PPFA) - a PMA member association -- will hold the Lone Star Picture Framing Conference, May 3-4, at the Omni Hotel, 700 San Jacinto, Austin, Texas.

The event will feature a trade show, and educational seminars by framing industry experts Paul MacFarland, CPF, GCF; Chris Paschke, CPF, GCF; Linda Wassell, MCPF; Fred Horton, MCPF, GCF; and Don Berkman, MCPF.

Topics include gold leaf and water gilding; when to refer a client to a paper conservator; pricing; determining production capacity; selling closed corner frames; fabric wrapping; framing canvas panels; practical preservation; fundamental framing design; understanding digitals; mounting basics; mounting sensitive items; top 10 mounting problems; adding compo corners; framing textiles; adding a class French touch to matting; and gilded accents.

The Conference will also feature the Certified Picture Framer (CPF) exam, and the CPF Recertification course.

For more information, visit www.centraltexasppfa.com.

Ze Frank is an expert on user-generated content. In his presentation, he illuminates how this new generation is using images and other content to have media conversations and how you can think about servicing them in a new way.

PMA, Jackson, Mich., announces that PMA 08 recorded an audited registration total of 19,756. The convention featured more than 200 educational sessions and 400 speakers. There were 604 exhibitors showing their latest products, services and promotions. Representatives from all 50 U.S. states were joined by attendees from numerous countries.

PMA 09 will be held March 3-5, 2009 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nev.

The PPFA, a PMA member association, honored its brightest and best with the annual PPFA Service Awards presented during the PPFA 2008 All-Member Meeting and luncheon Jan. 31. Each year, the PPFA Board of Directors considers nominees for a number of special awards for association members whose past actions, deeds, and vision have greatly strengthened the art and framing industry.

-- PPFA Lifetime Achievement Award: Shirley Damon, CPF, Damon Galleries Ltd., Vienna, Va.

-- PPFA Award of Distinction for Leadership: Chris Paschke, CPF, GCF, Designs Ink, Tehachapi, Calif.

-- PPFA Award of Recognition for Innovation: Frank Chavez, Frank's Fabrics Inc., Van Nuys, Calif.

PPFA members elected their 2008-2009 Board of Directors Jan. 31 at the PPFA 2008 All-Member Meeting. Fran Gray, MCPF, Roney's Creative Picture Framing, Florence, S.C., will serve a second term as PPFA president, and John Pruitt, CPF, The Frameworks, Carrollton, Texas, continues as immediate past president.
Other elected positions include: Gene Ausili, CPF, The Picture Show, Valencia, Calif., as vice president; Molly Webb , CPF, Webb Gallery II Inc., Humble, Texas, as treasurer; and Douglas Highfield, CPF , Art Enhancement Inc., Irving, Texas, as past president.
Serving as directors are: George Alvarez, CPF, framestudio, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; Quentin Webster, CPF, Framing Matters, Manuka, Australia; Jeannette King, SpecialtySoft, Wilmington, N.C.; Ken Link, CPF, Picture This and More, Alton, Ill.; Shirley Damon, CPF, Damon Galleries Ltd., Vienna, Va.; and Bill Zimdar, Frames Unlimited Inc., Grand Rapids, Mich. Ted Fox, PMA, Jackson, Mich., holds the nonelected office of executive director/secretary.

Additionally, PPFA honored outgoing board members Bob Carter; John Ranes II, CPF, GCF; Barbara Pelton, MCPF; Constance Henshaw; and Barry Kaufman.

The "best of the best" in the PPFA International Framing Competition were recognized during a gala reception Feb. 1 during PPFA 2008. There were 40 entries in the PRINT Competition, where participants framed a limited edition mixed media piece called "Floating Flower."

Linda Ellis-Watson, CPF, Mitschke's Custom Framing, Del Mar, Calif., was the big winner, taking home three awards in the PRINT category -- First Place, a Judges Award for Best Use of Fabric, and Popular Choice (selected by a vote of PMA 08 attendees). Deborah J. Hill, MCPF, Greenhouse Gallery of Fine Art, San Antonio, Texas, won Second Place; and Third Place went to Michael R. Drury, South Hill Gallery Ltd., Lexington, Ky.

Honorable Mentions were awarded to the team of Jini Lumsden, MCPF, and Chris Taylor, representing The Art Shop Inc., Greensboro, N.C.; Donna Erwin, Columbia River Gallery, Troutdale, Ore.; Judith Crown, Fast Frame #2, Sherman Oaks, Calif., who also won a Judges Award for High-Point, First-Time Entry; and Amy Engdahl, CPF, Pat Catan's, Akron, Ohio, who also took home a Judges Award for Creativity -- Innovative Presentation. Other Judges Awards went to Melanie Howe, American's Heartland Gallery, Overland Park, Kan., for Best Shadow Box Design, and Susan Young, CPF, I've Been Framed! By Susan Young, Bradenton, Fla., for Technical Expertise.

First-time entrant Myrna Dow, High Desert Gallery and Custom Framing, Sisters, Ore., won both First Place and a Judges Award for High-Point First-Time Entry in the OPEN Competition, where projects ran the gamut of subject, style, and framing technique. There were 17 entries in OPEN. Second Place went to Kathleen and Rick Bergeron, both CPFs, of Rockeby's Custom Framing, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho; and Baer Charlton, CPF, Charlton Productions, Portland, Ore., won Third Place and a Judges Award for Traditional Craftsmanship.

Honorable Mention went to Ken Ewald, CPF, The Great Frame Up, Spring Branch, Texas. Other Judges Award recipients were Shannon Dyce, CPF, Antioch -- Creative Memories, Canton, S.D., for Creativity -- Hand-Carved Mats; Alvin Geddes, Deerfield Frames, Delta, British Columbia, Canada, for Best Use of Moulding; and Corinne Lively and Mary Lyons, Streamside Art Co., Granby, Colo., for Best Shadow Box Design. The team from Streamside also won Popular Choice.

Six members of the Professional Picture Framers Association (PPFA) recently joined an exclusive group of framing professionals who have earned the Master Certified Picture Framer (MCPF) designation. They are: Malia H. Bolt, MCPF, Purple House Gallery & Framing, Gainesville, Ga.; Robin Gentry, MCPF, B & J Gallery, Bowling Green, Ky.; Don Gottfredson, MCPF, LDS Fine Art Framing Group, Salt Lake City, Utah; David Marsh, MCPF, The Framing Studio, Queenstown, New Zealand; Quentin Webster, MCPF, Framing Matters, Manuka, Australian Capital Territory, Australia; and R. Ormond Williams, MCPF, Ormond's Framing, Port Macquarie, New South Wales, Australia.

The six passed the MCPF examination given during PPFA 2008 in Las Vegas, Nev., last month. It brings the total number of members who have earned the advanced certification to 49.

The MCPF program, which began in 2003, has now reached a milestone with the addition of the first three certification holders from the Southern Hemisphere.

When asked what the MCPF means to him, Williams said, "It gives me confidence because I've achieved a level of expertise that's recognized by my peers. And while it's not always easy to convince the general public of its importance, having the MCPF does help in building a level of trust with customers."

Anyone with a minimum of 4 years' hands-on experience in retail or wholesale picture framing, who has been a CPF for at least 4 years, and who has taken or taught a Recertification Course within the last 4 years is eligible to sit for the exam.
The two-part exam includes the disassembly and examination of four framed works (art on paper, art on canvas, textile and object), and the onsite framing of one item, chosen at random.

Four members of PPFA earned the designation of Master Certified Picture Framer (MCPF), during exams October 7 hosted by Eric Zacharias, CPF, Studio Frameworks, Crofton, Md.

The four who earned the MCPF designation, the highest in the Association, are: Susan Gittlen, MCPF, Whispering Woods Gallery, Holland, Penn.; Shirley Keen, MCPF, Ben Franklin Crafts & Frame, Richmond, Va.; Mary Fender, MCPF, Frame Nation, Richmond, Va.; and Shirley Hunsberger, MCPF, Magnolia House, Fuquay Varina, N.C. The four join 39 others who have earned this designation.

Merrill Grayson, MCPF, organized the exam and served as an examiner, along with Mark Klostermeyer, MCPF, Ellen Collins, MCPF, and Kerry Wilson, MCPF. Susan Capps, MCPF, and Meghan MacMillan, MCPF, trained to be examiners, and Diane Day, CPF, proctored the exam.

New book tells how to market your retail store in the Internet age

"Marketing Your Retail Store in the Internet Age" is a new book by Bob and Susan Negen, WhizBang! Training, Grand Haven, Mich.

"The 21st century is bringing with it many new challenges for small businesses," the authors say. "The Internet has changed the way customers shop, and that means you must change the way you market your store. Some retail stores are full of customers no matter what the day, time, or weather; but in others, you could safely shoot a cannon. It's not magic, good luck, or gimmickry that makes some stores successful while others fight to stay alive. It's marketing.

"Fortunately, as an independent store owner, you have the single most powerful marketing tool imaginable at your disposal. You can have a genuine, personal relationship with your customers."

The book provides a Four-Step System for creating and nurturing customer relationships, and offers innovative, inexpensive marketing techniques to develop new customer relationships and do more with the customers you already have.

Some of the topics include:

Why traditional media advertising doesn't usually work for independent retailers and what you can do about it.

How to put the "Rule of Reciprocity" into play and attract tons of new, loyal customers.

Three critical things to do with every first-time customer in your store.

Eleven effective ways to use the World Wide Web to build customer relationships.

Fourteen keys elements to have when building a website.

The secret technique to make e-mail the most amazing marketing tool ever.

Ten copywriting rules every retailer must know to write messages that sell.

How to create promotions that keep customers coming back and buying more.

This book is available through PMA Business Resources, and from all major booksellers.

The newly-released "2006 PPFA Financial Survey of Retail Framing Businesses - Performance and Cost Benchmarks" provides a detailed look at income statement and balance sheet items, and reports key performance measures in areas of profitability, productivity, financial management, and cash flow management.

Part of the report is dedicated to employee compensation and benefits issues and metrics by job type.

The report also includes definitions and implications of the various performance measures, detailed notes of the survey methodology, and a copy of the questionnaire.

Cost: $99/PPFA member, $199 non member. Please contact ddelis@pmai.org . Participate in the survey and receive a free personalized report.

Photo Marketing Association, Jackson, Mich., is launching the Ultimate Imaging Product Directory, providing more than 18,000 members with direct and immediate access to this new business tool available through a link on the association's home page at www.pmai.org . The Ultimate Imaging Product Directory features a broad array of imaging-related product and service listings that will aid PMA and PPFA members in their purchasing decisions.

Within the Ultimate Imaging Product Directory, two different methods of searching for products and services are available: a keyword search in the style of a search engine, and a category search by type of business. For the keyword search, a wealth of industry-specific information is assembled exclusively from the websites of companies listed in the Product Directory. This select collection of data is the foundation of the keyword search, making it simple for users to find exactly the right products and services for their business.

Users preferring the more traditional way of searching through a suppliers guide can search by category. The results of the category-specific suppliers are listed in alphabetical order. Within the results for either type of search, company names, addresses and phone numbers are available. Additionally, many companies choose to include websites and e-mail addresses, as well as detailed product information.

Thank-you notes -- especially handwritten ones -- seem to be going the way of landline phones, reports The Ann Arbor News. That's even more true in a business/customer dynamic. While the Web and e-mail have made it easier for companies to reach out and "mass customize" us, the warmth of a "Dear (insert name here)" message is below freezing.

So Business Editor Mary Morgan writes that she was startled when an employee at Frames Unlimited in Ann Arbor, Mich., sent her a handwritten note thanking her for being a customer. He thanked Morgan in a way that reflected an actual interaction she had had at the store.

The note itself is just a couple of sentences. It didn't include a discount coupon or any other financial incentive to return to the store. "But it was powerful. And I'll go back," Morgan writes.

Hand-written notes are not efficient, she says. In an era of cost-cutting and a focus on squeezing every ounce of productivity from a work force, the payoff might be viewed as not worth the effort. It's also not the easiest thing to do, especially if you make a point to say something clearly personalized. If you don't like to write in the first place, well, that makes it even harder. And, of course, if the volume of customers is high and interaction with them is superficial, the challenge increases exponentially.

But businesses that do take the time are setting themselves apart in important ways. If you're looking for ways to distinguish your products or services from the competition, there's almost no better way to personalize your relationship with a customer than to send something clearly personal, in your own hand.

Frame Destination Inc., Dallas, Texas, introduces its new picture hanging system -- the Picture Placer.

Place framed art where it looks best, give it a gentle push and Picture Placer marks the wall at the precise spot to place the hook at the right level for the picture hanging wire. Using Picture Placer together with a leveling aid makes this process simple.

Frame Destination also offers ready-made and full custom metal and wood picture frames, as well as CD/DVD/Photo storage products and a complete line of picture framing supplies and mounting accessories.

Newsletters can be a great communication tool to your customers and share important information in a creative way. One easy way to create a newsletter is through Microsoft, one of several companies offering newsletter templates. Users can select a newsletter template, download it into Microsoft Word or Publisher and customize it with logos.

3) A listing of newsletter templates will be displayed. Click on any of them to see an example.

4) When you find a format you like, click on the "download" tab and it will download into Microsoft Word or Publisher for you. From this point, you can customize it with your chapter or store logo.