Be a Frame Maker
By Eric Hammer
 Flickr Photo by Amy
Have you ever purchased a nice painting and then wondered
what to do with it? Odds are, you decided to look up frame makers
in the telephone book because you wanted to get a custom frame
built for the painting. Many people also do the same when they
have a wedding photo made. But how do you make frames? Is there
money to be made as a frame maker? The answer is a definite yes.
A frame maker is a specialized kind of wood craftsman. Most
people who do this kind of work also know general woodworking
skills including how to build a cabinet or a book case from scratch.
However, because there isn't much call for custom built furniture,
many wood crafts people go into frame making, which is still
a popular niche.
How Much Can You Make?
According to MyMajors, frame makers earn in the neighborhood
of around $31,000 per year. Many are however self employed so
the amount you make will largely depend on how good of a business
person and salesperson you happen to be.
Ways to Make More | Related Opportunities
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Being a frame maker is, as noted, a specialized kind of wood
working skill. It involves building custom frames which will
adorn the homes of both middle class and wealthy people alike.
The job does require an eye for precision along with a good eye
for color matching. You need to be able to help customers to
visualize what a photo or painting might look like if framed
with one of your custom frames.
Frame makers also often do other related kinds of work, including
art restoration, restoring old frames and even providing artwork
for the home. Most frame makers actually own their own shops
and will have framed mirrors and pictures available for purchase
in addition to building custom frames for your needs.
Since frame making is a form of wood working, some people
who are interested in becoming a frame maker also tend to have
an interest in becoming a furniture builder, working with natural
wood to create fine, custom furniture. This also tends to lead
to a higher class of clientele since very few middle class people
tend to order custom furniture while custom frames are still
quite popular with the middle class.
Qualifications / Requirements
There are no formal requirements to become a frame maker other
than knowing how to build frames. You can learn this skill from
a wood working class. If you choose to go into business for yourself,
you will however need to get a business license from the government
agencies.
First Steps
Start by learning how to do frame making. Visit some shops
and ask if you can watch as the frames are bei ng made. Don't
be shy about asking questions. Then, contact some local community
colleges to find out if they have classes in wood working and
make sure to check if they cover building frames.
Resources
Check out these helpful resources to learn more about becoming
a frame maker:
FrameCo: Master the Art of Picture Framing -
A series of online courses designed to teach you everything you
need to know about making custom frames.
Stafford
Frame Makers - An example of a professional frame maker.
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