WHEN it comes to picture framing and frames in Birmingham, Peter Frith is usually at the heart of it, but this is no set up – it’s a bespoke skill, thanks to more than 20 years of experience in Birmingham. http://www.frametec.co.uk/
For Peter’s handiwork at Frametec in Harborne has enhanced treasured works of art in homes across Birmingham, Britain and Europe – and it doesn’t stop at paintings.
You name it and it’s been framed – from boxing gloves, to football shirts, medals, records, tickets – even a collection of corkscrews.
“There’s nothing we can’t frame – I don’t think anything has defeated us yet,” said Peter at his framing shop and art gallery in Greenfield Road, with its trademark blue and white striped awning”
“One of the most unusual items we were ever asked to frame was a pair of Henry Cooper’s shorts after one of his famous fights with Muhammad Ali during the 1960s – it worked really well”
“Most of our work is pictures, but so many mementoes work really well when made into a framed centrepiece.”
“We like to offer a bespoke service here where everything we do is a one-off. We manufacture the frames on the premises, so we’re able to give our customers a personal touch. I like to think we know what we are talking about.”
“The important thing about framing pictures is getting the balance right with the picture itself and the colour of the frame. We take as long as the customer needs – that’s our selling point. Often people come in here and they don’t know what they want, so we talk it through with them until they’re happy.”
With an array of more than 1,500 frames, making a choice can be very bewildering, but Peter and his assistant will manage to guide customers through the framing maze.
A new popular range is word names with images placed behind someone’s name or an important event – for example ten images can be framed by the words Wedding Day.
In a typical week, Peter and Wayne make up between 70 and 100 frames at the shop and have a strong customer base. Last year alone, more than 1,000 different people placed at least one order, with many coming back several times in the year.
“I know times are hard, but if people trust a bespoke service they will come back to it time after time. Some of our work ends up abroad as customers have second homes,” added Peter.
They are one of the few framers to use a computerised mount cutter and they also intend to invest in a system which enables the customer to visualise the finished framed product on screen.
Peter, who opened Frametec in October 1988, has a background in engineering and is particularly interested in figurative work and craftsmanship.
The second half of the shop houses a small art gallery, packed with the work of local artists. Two longstanding exhibitors are water colourists Tim Nash, from Stourbridge and Lawrence Hayfield, from Halesowen, Birmingham, along with work from local photographers.
“We like to exhibit work on a sale or return basis and we will frame the exhibiting artist’s work free of charge.
“At the moment we are particularly interested in exhibiting new artists, so anyone who would like to show their work can pop in and see me.”
Frametec can be contacted on 0121 428 1038 or at www.frametec.co.uk, Picture Framing Birmingham.