But first!

Before you start answering questions and submitting paperwork, here is some more information to make sure we’re a good fit for each other.

Scheduling

  • we make a weekly schedule, and then repeat it, so you can easily plan ahead
  • as part of working retail, we have a busy holiday season, starting at Thanksgiving and running until early January
    • we take a long weekend for Thanksgiving (Thurs-Mon off)
    • then work regular schedule through till Christmas Eve, no time off/vacation requests granted
    • close early on Christmas Eve, closed on Christmas day
    • work regular hours for a week
    • close early on New Year’s Eve, closed on New Year’s day

Pay

  • we offer direct deposit every two weeks (it hits the bank account on Friday)
  • everyone starts off at minimum wage
    • as skills/competency/capability is proven raises are given
    • art retail example – start work and are officially earning minimum wage. Become familiar with the point of sale software (register) and demonstrate that can operate it unsupervised, then earn a raise. This could take an hour, a day, or a week.
    • framing example – an experienced framer would begin earning minimum wage. They could come in and build a perfect frame and by the end of the day could be earning the maximum for their role, based on demonstrated capability.
  • there isn’t a scheduled timeframe for pay increases.

Learning

  • It seems to take at least 6 months to learn a base level of competence in either department (art supply retail or framing). There are a lot of skills and knowledge to learn in either area.
  • Art Supplies
    • The retail basics can be quickly picked up. You should be comfortable with them in a week or two. Examples include:
      • Operating register
      • Counting change back
      • Stocking shelves from backstock
      • Receiving order
      • Pricing and putting items on shelves
      • Helping Customers
    • We all have our favorite art supplies, and our personal specialties. We also have to help customers find the right art supply for their project. We have to learn a broad range of knowledge in order to help them find what they need. Examples include:
      • Paints
        • Acrylic
        • Gouache
        • Watercolor
        • Oil
      • Substrates
        • Canvas
        • Boards
        • Drawing
        • Papers
      • Crafts
        • Crochet/Knitting
        • Leather working
        • Woodworking
      • etc…
    • In addition to offering advice on how materials work and what might be right for a particular project, we also offer advice on where to get a specific request.
      • We don’t carry everything, but try to keep track of who in town might have it.
      • We aren’t competing with the other specialty craft stores in town and often point customers to another store to locally find what they’re looking for.
  • Framing
    • Building frames is a sort of specialty woodworking. We have to precisely build a wood or metal rectangle to both display and protect artwork.
    • Into that frame goes a package of backing board, mats, the artwork itself, and more.
    • Depending on what materials the artwork is made from determines what materials, techniques, and approaches are used. The wrong choice can damage or destroy a piece of irreplaceable art.
      • ie: Framing a watercolor painting on a piece of paper, a stretched canvas, a cross-stitch piece and a commemorative coin all require dramatically different approaches.
    • After building a base competence with a variety of different skills and approaches… it’s time to start working with customers to design their pieces!

There is a lot to learn! It can be a long process… that never ends. There is always something new to learn, or something to learn in even more depth. If you’re excited by that – you’re in the right place! Just be aware that it will be a long process.

Ready to get started?

Let’s go!