Side businesses for fun?

I remember looking for degree frames online and the price for a nice one ran the gambit. The only one thing they all had in common was the fact that they were expensive. I was on the verge of purchasing one for $200 when my wife arrived home one day with one of the best looking frames I have ever seen, and it ran her about two dollars at a thrift store. (See Attached)

My wife and I have been hitting the thrift stores bringing home all sorts of nice antique frames, and using my wife's vinyl cutter, we can change out the matting and create simple titles and logos. Essentially, we've been able to create really nice antique diploma frames at a cost of less than $20.00

Its become a hobby, but I think it would be a fun side business. Especially considering the rate online stores are charging for new frames of lesser quality . . . The one in the picture below is a solid oak frame, that ran me around $2 bucks and a little bit of spit polishing. . . here is how it turned out.

 

The same person that pays $60K for a PhD from UoP, Walden, NCU, Capella, or Trident perhaps?

 

I found another one, I'm using my bachelors to show off the frame. I picked it up for $2.99 at a thrift store and cleaned it up a bit.

 

I don't know much about degree frames, but framing and matting can be quite expensive when it comes to art. I think they look wonderful! Maybe you can find a website to sell them. Good luck on your new venture!

 

Wow, those look fantastic. I'd buy a couple from you, well done.

 

I went to the local frame store and they do get expensive. There are zillions of options for the matte and frame and its almost impossible to frame a diploma for less than $80 at one of these places. A more reasonable price is about $125-150.

 

I took a framing class (hey, that Arts and Crafts store on base had good advertisement) a about 4 years ago. Framing can be pretty expensive. The frames themselves is what cost most of the money. One of my classmates intended on taking her crafts to the flea market. She said several people had been asking for custom frames.

 

They're just expensive, I don't have any to sell as I just started doing this for fun, but it's kinda fun.

 

As a business you need to add in your hourly rate and overhead (car expenses, purchases, tools, sales taxes, SS tax of around 15%, other taxes, shipping, returns, etc). You would have to figure out how profitable such a business would be. You could also branch out into custom framing (for example I bought an Olympic poster from Australia that does not fit into a US size frame).

 

"NorCal" those are some decent looking frames...inexpensive too! Thanks for sharing. I have yet to come across frames that look that nice for $2.99 so I guess I'll have to start looking around.

 

I just go to the Goodwill to find frames.

 

Looks great to me! I have a few then need framing, maybe I should stop dropping coins in my jar and head over to Goodwill!?

Maniac- seriously? You need to get out more That's really what it costs to have something framed. (To do it yourself of course not so much) My MS frame was $125. Hubby bought it for me as a graduation gift (because I am SERIOUSLY a tightwad and wouldn't have!) Confession- it's still in the box.

 

I bought an official frame from campus for my BA. My MS and MA are in frames from Walmart. When I finish my PhD, however, I'm getting a real official frame to show that sucker off!

-Matt

 

I have an NCU frame for my PhD and the frame is still in the closet and the diploma is still in the binder in a box someplace.

 

I've been saying that kinda stuff for some time. One day, when I quit being such a miser, I will break down and properly frame my diplomas. This will be after I earn my PhD but before I pass away (hopefully). But right now, I have mine in frames that average about $5.00 apiece. To me, they look good!

 

Seriously? $200 frame! Must have some gold embedded on it! LOL

 

Hell, you should have it made into a vinyl wrap for your car.

 

My price-ranges:

College thingies (4) - $5 frames.
University thingies (2) - $10 frames

My small collection of works by Native Canadian painters - $80 to maybe $150 frames (1980s prices) depending on size.

The frames had to suit the artwork - because I said. :smile: Sadly, in several cases, the frames cost more than the work.

I paid the schools plenty. What I learned in school was important. The diplomas are not - to me, anyway. The art is.

Johann

PS. BTW - a couple of those art works were framed by "do it yourself" under supervision at a framing shop. You save no money, because most of the cost is in materials, but it's good to learn something in the process.