Pictured above: Barney Craw with a selection of framing
materials at his premises 'Tobi Frames' in Long Eaton
A Long Eaton picture framer has achieved an
internationally-recognised qualification from a century-old trade
association - only a few months after taking over a business.
Barney Craw, owner of Tobi Frames in Chapel Street, has become a
Commended Framer with the Fine Art Trade Guild, the association for
the art and framing industry which was set up in 1910.
This is the professional qualification that distinguishes
skilled framers from the semi-skilled and provides consumers with a
recognised way to find excellent craftsmanship and service.
The Guild Commended Framer programme only started in 1994 but is
internationally recognised with qualifiers in 23 countries.
Barney, who served 11 years with the Army, was a musician with
the Royal Anglians and was involved in the First Gulf War as a
medic
After leaving the service in 1998 he had various jobs in the
construction industry and was latterly a photocopying machine
engineer.
"My best mate from the army days and I were going to go into
business together, him as a photographer and me as a framer because
I'm clever with my hands," he said.
But by chance last year Barney heard that Tony Broadhead was
retiring from Tobi Frames, which had been established for more than
25 years.
So in July, after giving up his job, Barney bought the business
and then set about going for the Guild commendation through a
rigorous exam process by an independent tester.
Barney had to produce three pieces of work beforehand and then
do a practical exam in the presence of the inspector and then a
theory test.
"It was one of the most testing times in my working life," he
said. "This was a voluntary act on behalf of the business to
improve standards, and I am delighted to have succeeded."
The business does everything from high volume framing
certificates - such as those for enterprise agency Erewash
Partnership, of which he is a member - and mounting from a wide
choice of mouldings to framing high-value works of art.
Other work includes framing signed sports shorts and memorabilia
and selling art works.