The 3 "R's": Retail, Recycling & ReUsing

We are having a “attic” sale, in case you haven’t heard, beginning on Sept 17.  I have been charged with getting the attic (storeroom area with a teeny tiny attic space) ready for the sale.  It’s mostly a job of organization, and I'm kind of into that.  OK, who am I kidding?  OCD me is so excited he might pee his pants!  It's like a theme park thrill ride for OCD me.  Imagine all that clearing out, cleaning up, labeling bins and shelves!  Seriously, that is living the dream: a place for everything and everything in its place.   
Since I began working at The Frame Shop & Gallery, I have been aware that Owner is a re-user and a re-purposer of things.  It's a good quality especially in a businessperson.  It was not an oddity to me to discover Owner is a re-purposer because my dad was as well.  She has repurposed many items especially for the storage of scrap moulding.
While working on the attic, I couldn’t help but be reminded of my dad when I saw several big, old, metal coffee cans erupting with some leftover mouldings.  You see, my dad saved a lot of stuff. He saved plastic milk jugs out of which he could make ice blocks for the ice chest or he would fill them with concrete to use as anchors. He saved coffee cans, lots of them, which, in the words of Pooh, can be "a useful pot to put things in". I think he saved every Styrofoam coffee cup he ever got, and he did reuse them sometimes for coffee or to sprout seeds to be transplanted to the garden. He saved pieces of packing Styrofoam to make "corks" (bobbers) to use when fishing.  He was the king of repurposing items, and as such we, his children, often laughingly and lovingly refer to him as "the original recycler". If he could conceive of a way to make an item serve a new purpose, whether that ever came to fruition or not, he saved it.  Were you to open his trunk or look in the bed his truck, you would find any number of things he had saved because he could use it for fill-in-the-blank someday.  Someday rarely comes when you have too much saved stuff as in 143 styrofoam coffee cups.  At some point, it really does just become junk. 

God bless my mother.   

Owner, like my dad, can find a use for almost anything others would likely discard without a second thought. As it happens, I have a bit of the same bent. I wash and reuse Ziploc bags unless they've had onions in them; you will never get that smell out.  I save bubble wrap.  I have actually saved Styrofoam which I reused when packing for my last move.  Don’t misunderstand:  While I appreciate the art of reusing, and I engage in it from time-to-time, I also am a fan of getting rid of extraneous stuff.  My sister might disagree after having seen my garage, but in my defense, there is only so much stuff one can cram in the trash (or recycling bin), and I didn’t have a truck to haul it off.  Regardless, reusing a few milk jugs is one thing, but having a stash of say 10 or 15 is unnecessary.  How many anchors does one man really need?  There’s a fine line between saving for reuse and an audition for “Hoarders”.  Thankfully, Owner doesn’t seem to have my father’s affliction of over-saving everything; we are cleaning house!  Out with the old and in with the new!

Now, I’m off to the shop to make ready the “attic”.  I hope I get to see some of you during the sale.  We have much to offer, and the prices just can’t be beat!  33 Year Attic Sale – Sept 17-22.

Fletch(er) Lives and the Mexican Prison Bus

Upon entering the shop yesterday afternoon, I found a note from Owner written out on scrap mat board with a list of items I was to work on. It looked like a fairly easy list: move a computer, clean out and organize a box of Art Walk supplies, price Velcro dots in bulk, repair point drivers.  Huh? Do what? Repair point drivers?  Do we sell golf clubs?  What IS a point driver?  I was a bit confused. Instead of trying to figure it out immediately, I went ahead with the easy stuff on the list. i.e. those things I actually understood.

Later, in the work area, I noticed a basket full of the staple gun thingies we use to shoot brads in frames to hold mats etc inside the frames.  There were some printed instructions lying there with them. It finally dawned on me through the haze of allergy medication: the staple gun thingies ARE the "point drivers".  (My genius astounds me sometimes.)

Some who know me may not think of me as being particularly handy, and I'm not so sure I would say that I am, but I am fairly determined, and since I had some instructions, I figured I could make it work.

I was reminded of being in Mexico with friends a few years back. We were riding mopeds and found ourselves off the paved road headed toward the jungle.  One of my friends was lagging behind due to a muffler malfunction on his moped. We stopped to wait for him at the head of the jungle path. When he caught up to us, his muffler was dragging on the ground, slowing him down considerably and making crazy noises every bit as annoying as finger nails on a chalkboard but much, much louder. About the same time he caught up, we heard the sound of a truck coming through the jungle, and it was headed toward us. The path we were on was narrow; it was not a road.  What could this be?  Knowing us, it was probably wasn't going to be good.

A large van began to appear.  It was pushing aside banana trees and other jungle flora as it made its way. The hood of the van was painted with several words. The one I recognized was "Policia".  Great.  As the van drew nearer, we could hear the sounds of lots of men yelling. Finally the van was upon us. Where there should have been sides and windows on the van, there were bars! As in prison bars. The van stopped. I have no idea what was being said, but it didn't sound good at all.  The men behind the bars were screaming, shaking on the bars, and it was just the tiniest bit scary. (Thanks Hollywood; job well done). So at this point, I'm thinking, "No freaking way, am I going down like this, and please lord don't let Montezuma’s revenge strike now!"

Not wanting to die in the jungles of Mexico murdered by some lawless criminals or end up in a Mexican prison (again, hats off to Hollywood), I was determined we were going to get the "H" out of Dodge. Pronto! I began examining the moped, and I decided I could fix it. I had a backpack on, and it had an extra strap. Using a stick and a rock for tools, I affixed the muffler (still really hot) to the moped using the strap together with a piece of metal found on the roadside in hopes of preventing the muffler falling off again. Victory! Muffler was repaired, we all lived, and I was given the nickname "MacGyver" for the duration of the trip.  So I figured if I can fix a moped in the middle of the hot, steamy Mexican jungle while being harassed by a busload of criminals, surely I can repair a point driver in an air conditioned building with the aid of instructions and proper tools.
 
Only one of the Fletcher point drivers was operational.  I used that as my baseline for acceptable point penetration into the frame moulding.  With the help of the instructions, I got two of the four non-functioning point drivers fixed in fairly short order; the other two were less cooperative. I decided I would have to go in; surgery was required. As I opened the first one up, a large spring sprung out nearly taking out my eye.  (No, I didn’t wear protective eye gear.  Lesson learned:  Framing can be dangerous; wear eye protection).  After about half an hour in the O.R., I realized the damage could not be repaired.  They both needed a transplant.  Lucky for the point drivers, springs are pretty easy to come by.  They should be good as in new within the next week. 

Sleeping in your tennis shoes

It's a beautiful day in New York City according to the Weather Channel.  I cannot confirm that information personally since I am still in Arkansas.  I missed my flight yesterday morning, and despite many attempts to get on another one, including talking to at least 5 different Delta agents, I was not able to make it happen.  If I had an extra grand to spend on the fair difference, I could have done it.  Pretty much I am completely bummed out about not making the trip, and in truth, I'm a bit heart-sick.  I was looking very forward to spending time with some of my dearest friends.  I have the feeling that I let my friends down, and I really hate that. 

After the Art Walk on Friday, which was a great success by my measure, I went to see some folks here in town.  I got home later than I had intended, but I truly thought I would be able to rally and get myself together.  I woke up at 3:00 AM, as planned, did a couple of things to get ready; sat down on the bed, and next thing I know it was 2 hours later!  Even in what is presumably non-existent predawn traffic, I could not have made the hour plus trip to the airport in time for my 6:00 AM flight.      

When I was in college, working 40 hours a week and taking a full course load, I would often stay up most Thursday nights studying.  Typically, I would go to bed around 4 in the morning or so.  In an effort to make sure I would get up at 8 to make it to class, I would sleep in my tennis shoes.  I have no idea how I stumbled upon that trick or why that seemed to work, but it did.  (I'm going to go out on a limb here and say it probably helped that I was considerably younger then).  Who knows?  At any rate, I tried the same trick Friday night, and it worked.  At least I got up;  I just didn't stay up.  All that to say, I am still in Arkansas having not-so-great feelings about it presently.  Naturally, I want to blame Delta since had I not been bumped from the 10:30 flight, I would have been golden, but Delta didn't stay out too late, and Delta didn't not get up in time to get to the airport.

Lessons learned: BriGuy needs to make reasonable plans and sleeping in tennis shoes isn't a sure thing.  As Daddy always said, "Each day is a do-over" - another chance to get it right.  Onward and upward. 

Art Walk was a blast.  I saw what seemed like scores of people I hadn't seen in years.  I hugged more necks than I have in the previous 5 years combined.  I met and had the chance to visit with a couple of the artists we represent in the gallery.  A hightlight of the night for me:  A woman, whom I know I am supposed to know, who knew me, and so I couldn't ask her name (bad, I know), walked around the gallery showing me some of her favorite works.  Here is what I loved most:  She was admiring what she thought were six or seven new pieces.  I did not tell her that, in fact, those were NOT new pieces; they had just been rehung.  It felt good that all my staring, contemplation and wall vacuuming seemed to have paid off.  Mission accomplished:  people were seeing the art anew.

It was definitely a lot of work to get ready for Art Walk, but it was completely worth it.  It was a great night and fun for all I think.  After it was all said and done, Owner told me this was probably the hardest part of the job.  I smiled inside.  That was further confirmation for me that this just might be the right-est move I have ever made.

"It's the day of the show y'all!"

Art Walk is today!  We are sooooo close to being ready.  I only have about 57 things to get done and we'll be all set!  Seriously, I have a list of about 57 things to do.  Poor Owner.  I hope I'm not stressing her out.  Owner if you're reading, I am all about TCB and gettin 'er dun.  It's how I roll. 

Tomorrow I head off to NYC.  I was supposed to be going to a framing boot camp run by none other than the one and only Guerrilla Framer himself, but the class was canceled.  C'est la vie.  So, I'm going to spend the week going to frame shop/galleries asking questions and taking pictures trying to learn what I can about the business and how to organize and store the myriad items one needs to have a framing business.  You really can't imagine all the "stuff" one needs and accumulates.  It's a bit overwhelming.  It should be informational, educational and enjoyable.  How bad can 5 days looking at art be?  Plus, I've never had a bad time in New York, and I'm going to get to see many friends which makes the trip worth it regardless of anything else.   Unfortunately, I have a 6:00 AM flight - it used to be a 10 AM flight, but Delta changed the flight time.  Thanks Delta.  You're a real peach.

Yesterday, I got to see one of my favorite people.  Schweg is her name, well it's a nickname.  Her daughter "Aude" and I have been friends since we were little children.  I hadn't seen the Schweg, or the Schwegmeister as we sometimes referred to her, in many years.   She brought many items to be framed, and naturally, we visited for so long that she had to leave before we had a chance to look at mouldings or mats.  Clearly, I am shaping up to be a very hard-sell kind of retailer.  It was definitely the highlight of my day.

I'm not sure how everything will come together for tonight's Art Walk, but it will.  What will be interesting is what I wind up packing for my trip.  Since I'll be packing in a rush, I'm pretty sure I'll wind up dressing like a mismatched hobo while I'm in the Big Apple.  The last time I packed at a whirlwind's pace, I left all my pants, sans those I was wearing, lying across my bed.  Hard to believe I'm a nearly 40 year old man sometimes.  Haste makes waste as they say, and I suppose packing in a hurry makes one naked in public?  But really...what's one more guy in New York without pants on going to hurt?

So, I'm off to finish my many tasks before the Art Walk tonight.  Arkansas friends, if you can make it down, I'd love to see you.  Hope you all have a great Friday! 

P.S.  I've had a couple of comments about font size being too small.  Let me know if I need to change it.  I'll be happy to increase it or recommend a good optometrist. 

Staring at The Walls & Hugging Customers

Remember that kid in elementary school who would stare at the wall, his mouth open just a little with an utterly vacuous look on his face?  Well, that was me yesterday just 35 years older.  I spent a good part of the day staring.  I did manage to keep my mouth closed except when I was talking to myself.  (Yes, I do answer my own questions, and no, I don't think that makes me insane and neither do my other selves).  Truly, it takes an incredible amout of thought to rehang a gallery full of paintings in a meaningful way.  Certainly, I was tempted simply to hang them up and hope for the best, but that was a fleeting thought.  There is no room for carelessness in this process.  One has to think about the space between and not just the objects themselves.  Seeing the sight lines, creating them.  All-in-all it is time-consuming work, but it is incredibly satisfying to see the fruits of all that staring.  Today, I plan to get all remaining pieces hung and all the pottery displayed.  Grand plans, but hope springs eternal!  Good thing it's a fun way to pass the time. 

On another note, I have decided how I will solve my shirt tucking problem.  I think I shall simply begin wearing overalls.  I liked wearing them as a kid, so why not now?  I loved riding my bike as a kid, and I love riding my bike now.  Granted, I might look a bit like a weirdo or a kook, but what the hey!  NOTE:  The likelihood of me actually wearing overalls to work is about slim to none.  Many have suggested suspenders with my pants, but I have never had much luck with suspenders; they tend to work too well and I end up looking very Steve Urkel.

Last bit of news before I head off.  A customer came in yesterday, a woman I haven't seen in probably 15 years.  I had just seen her mother last week.  I said to her, "I just love your mother!"  I couldn't believe I said it, but I did it.  And when she was leaving, I gave her a hug.  Now, that is life in a small town.  I'm not much of a hugger, but it seemed liked the most natural thing in the world to do.  Connectedness & community make you feel good even for us non-huggers.   I hope you have an experience today that makes you feel like you've been hugged.


"A good painting to me has always been like a friend.  It keeps me company, comforts and inspires."  Hedy Lamarr.

Keeping Your Shirt Tucked In

Yesterday, I was on my own at the Frame Shop.  Owner was out for the day, but I assured her all would be well, and that I was all about TCB (Takin Care of B'ness).    Thankfully, I had no customers ask me any hard questions, like "how much does that cost?"  You see, I haven't yet learned fully how to price things like mats, glass and frames.  And by "fully" I really mean at all.  The pricing isn't hard, but it's the measuring that requires some skill.  A woman came in with three very old, small watercolors done by her son's grandmother which she wanted to have matted and framed for him.  (Really nice of her and naturally I wanted to help her get something not just suitable but perfect, because like that's just the nicest thing to do for your kid.  I bet he cries when he gets them; well, he should anyway).  We found the right mat, selected a simple and tasteful moulding - I grabbed one out of existing stock that I eyeballed and figured would be enough to frame all the pieces in case it was a discontinued item or some other kind of newbie framer nightmare.  Much to my surprise she never asked how much it would be.  What a relief!  Granted, I need to let her know how much it will be and when the job will be completed, but I was really glad not to have to attempt pricing on my own.  BriGuy was TCB. 

You know when you get something new for your house like a pillow for the sofa or a new vase and you start fiddling around with where it looks best?  Next thing you know you're thinking "maybe if that chair was over there and that side table was next to the other chair..."  Before you know it, you've completely rearranged the entire living room.  Well, that's what happened to me yesterday.  Owner and I had decided to move a polyptych (a painting of 4 or more panels (sic) - totally had to look that up) before the Art Walk on Friday.  I know myself fairly well.  The minute I took the first panel down, I knew this was going to be one of those times when nothing was safe from my moving mania.  Again my OCD friend paid me a visit.  It became obvious that I needed to do some light dusting which naturally means drag out the vacuum and begin vacuuming the entire brick wall aided by a 10 foot ladder and the longest vacuum hose extension I've ever seen.  Remember, I am supposed to be minding the shop and helping customers - normal retail stuff, right?  Presumably one should look decent and not like he was mowing the yard.  Fail.  I had on decent clothes and my awesome new shoes, but when you're vacuuming a 20' high brick wall, you be doin some fo real work!  I found myself engaged in the battle of keeping my shirt tucked in while combating pervasive perspiration.  (Thank god for paper towels).  It's really hard to go up and down a ladder holding a vacuum cleaner tank and giant hose, clean the wall AND keep your shirt tucked in your britches no matter how tight you make your belt.  In fact about 3 hours in I simply gave up.  Lesson learned:  do this kind of stuff when the store is closed and don't wear khakis and a button-down to do it. 

It's time for me to head down to the shop for another day of hanging art.  I must tell you, it is really a gift to be able to work with art.  I enjoy seeing it and engaging it, if you get that, in an effort to try to find a place where it can best be seen and tell its story.  More on that later!  Have a great day.

Mats, Mounting & Embracing my OCD...

Yesterday, I did my first vacuum mount and cut mat board.  Yee Haw!  I know that may not sound like it's very difficult, BUT for someone like me who is a wee bit obsessive, it was a challenge to make sure I fully understood the process soup to nuts (whatever that really means).  But more than being somewhat difficult, it was actually a lot of fun.  Yes, I said fun, and no, it isn't because of the contact high I am sure one can easily get from the spray adhesive.  And NO, I haven't tried it.  In fact, to avoid the fumes and subsequent momentary intoxication, Owner devised a most ingenious solution:  tuck your nose into your shirt while spraying.  It is cheaper than face masks, you look just as crazy and is equally effective! 

The difficult part of mounting prints:  Spray adhesive is sticky and unforgiving and OCD people don't like sticky.  EVER!

Lucky for me, I was only mounting pictures from a magazine* and not someone's priceless item.  I had the chance to mount someone's photo, but Owner saw the look of horror on my face at the mere suggestion and gave me another option.  Whew; bullet dodged.  True enough, the process really is easy as long as one doesn't rush and screw it up.  Apparently, I have some skill (or I like to think so) as my three mounts turned out just right.  There were no pesky wrinkles on the prints, and I deemed it a success.  The hard part of the process is affixing the print/art after it has been sprayed with adhesive to the mounting surface.  It takes a bit of time and precision and this is where the OCD comes in quite handy.
*Find a cool pic in a magazine, in a calendar or wherever and I can mount and mat it for you!

The fun part of matting:  Picking out the mat board. 

I am sure I could spend 3 hours looking for the right mat without any problem except that taking 3 hours to select a mat IS a problem.  But in defense of my OCD, there are approximately 740 million mat board colors and types from which to choose.  All that to say, it was pretty much a blast selecting the right mat board to complement the prints.  (Your nerd-alert should be sounding any time now).    I can hardly wait until I start putting frames together with mats and prints.  Remember the Dr. Pepper commercials in the 80's where everyone was happy, singing and dancing in the streets and they were so darn glad to be a Pepper?  Well, that's pretty much the scene in my head while I'm doing this stuff.  I assure you in my erstwhile career that was never the case.  (Your nerd-alert probably just broke).

And to top my day off, I got a new pair of kicks to help me be the best FramerGuy I can be.  I haven't worked on my feet this much since I worked at the Western Sizzlin way back when! 

Ok, so my new shoes and I are off to The Frame Shop & Gallery for a little more fun with framing!  Have a great Labor Day weekend and don't forget to put those white shoes away.  Ciao!

P.S.  Shoes came from Feltner's in Russellville.