Wouldn’t it be great to turn your passion into a business? That way every working day would be a pleasure, something to look forward to rather than to dread! And I can report (somewhat smugly you might rightly say), that my current job is exactly that!

Having built this picture framing business myself obviously helps to make the days contain exactly the sort of things I like doing. Inevitably there are all the other less interesting administrative aspects common to all small businesses, but on the whole there’s always something inspiring to get out of bed for.

Finishing off a delicate display case for a local sculptor

My CV is quite varied, in the modern jargon I’ve enjoyed a portfolio career. From craft and art teaching, through commercial interior design and furniture manufacture, and now into bespoke picture framing. I like to think I am creative, and enjoy doing creative things. Of all my occupations, this picture framing malarkey is definitely the most rewarding. Running my own business has given me freedom to choose and manage myself, determine my own working day/week and a nice income to afford me a few trappings and to support my modest hobbies. Day to day means dealing with enthusiastic and arty individuals, taking something they already love and value, and enhancing it.. what job could possibly be better than that!

Within the Uckfield Framing Company business there are a few surprising and unusual sidelines to the expected norm of bespoke picture framers, such as manufacturing ‘Funhouse Mirrors’. In fact we appear to be the only UK producer of these distorting fairground hall-of-mirrors style frames, and if order numbers build any further we will definitely have to further expand our production facilities.

Me reflecting on a funhouse mirror

Our display cabinet work (or shadow boxes as Americans call them) is increasingly varied, with enquiries from far and wide for some unusual projects, as well as the medals and sports shirts we regularly frame. Marathon awards, flags, England caps, a snooker cue, an AK47, and several other things all spring to mind. All of which adds up to challenges and great variety. You never quite know what the day will bring in this line of work.

As many will know, I also teach picture framing and woodwork skills. Beginners day courses in framing have really become quite popular over recent years, such that I run these for small groups of five around six times a year. I have been teaching adult woodwork evening classes for around 40 years. All these classes are held here in our own workshop.

Our front door..

Why is he telling us all this I hear you ask. The answer, my friends, is that I am looking for a successor. If the above job description sounds ideal to you too, then we should talk! I would love to find a like-minded individual, or perhaps a couple, and gradually hand over this business to them in the coming months or years. I would like to retire sometime soon, as I have so many more projects in my future portfolio career, as well as spending more time with my family, travelling, home improvements, gardening… the list is endless. And of course fettling old motorbikes!

Tim

P.s. If you are interested, more details of the business sale are listed here