Jonathan was one of 5 excellent students I had in my frame shop this past week making a frame for themselves. It is interesting and rewarding to watch their development and appreciation for what goes into the construction of a true custom frame. I was a teacher before I became a framebuilder and, with that experience as a background, I can say this is by far the most challenging type of class to teach. However, the difficulty of the challenge also increases the pleasure of the final reward. In other words, it's really hard work but so satisfying to admire the results. Inevitably, it doesn't take long to realize that no matter how expensive a custom frame is, it is a real bargain compared to the amount of effort that goes into making them.
One of my students was from Scotland and I found it interesting that now the US is the home of framebuilding knowledge when in the 70's, we had to go to Europe to learn our craft.
Doug Fattic Niles, Michigan
From: Jonathanadamgree@aol.com:
List, I just finally got the time to respond to this email. Last week was a hard week. See my blog below for particulars and a link to my yahoo picture site. During the week as my hands got more tired and cut up, as my back and feet hurt worse and worse I kept thinking it is no wonder Ernesto and Falerio and the other Italians never aspired to die at the bench making frames. It's not glamorous, it's hard, dirty, low paying work. You'd have to do it for the love of creating something with your hands to stick with it. I had a great week and I'd like to do it again, but it was no working vacation. It was just work. By my estimation I spent 72 hours in 5 days in Doug Fattic's shop. I'd encourage anyone interested in building their own frame to give it a go. You'll be rewarded.
Jonathan Greene Oviedo FL
Listmember Jonathan Greene is posting his experiences at the framebuilding
class at Doug Fattic's place up north somewhere. I'm not sure whether he
will post tonight, but it is interesting to read his initial reports. Link
is: http://wallstframeco.blogspot.com/