Framebuilding in Bike shop or other places with people traffic?

[steve garro]

Saying it is art is like saying that bricklaying is art.

Bricklaying IS an art. Just take on a square dome. it's harder then framebuilding by my reckoning, having done both. The school to be a bricklayer is quite exhaustive, at least to become bonded. - Garro.

[EricKeller]

Bricklaying IS an art. Just take on a square dome. it's harder then framebuilding by my reckoning, having done both. The school to be a bricklayer is quite exhaustive, at least to become bonded. - Garro.

I wasn't denigrating bricklaying. Last time I tried to hire a mason, they were too busy to call me back. I was not happy up on the chimney pouring a new cap.

I suppose the meaning of the word "craft" has been diluted too much -- saying something is a craft doesn't doesn't mean it's easy. On the contrary, it means it requires skill

[edoz]

I suppose the meaning of the word "craft" has been diluted too much -- saying something is a craft doesn't doesn't mean it's easy. On the contrary, it means it requires skill

Well, craft stores are full of hot glue guns, cloth, beads, baskets and fake flowers. Crafts in grade school consists of sticking roughly cut pieces of "construction" paper together with Elmer's glue. They don't even have to teach 5 yr olds how to do it, just give them safety scissors and turn them loose. I'd say that people who work in a trade craft are just about the only ones left who know what the word used to mean.

[suzyj]

Well, craft stores are full of hot glue guns, cloth, beads, baskets and fake flowers. Crafts in grade school consists of sticking roughly cut pieces of "construction" paper together with Elmer's glue. They don't even have to teach 5 yr olds how to do it, just give them safety scissors and turn them loose. I'd say that people who work in a trade craft are just about the only ones left who know what the word used to mean.

Ever since the start of the industrial revolution, industry has been trying to devalue craft. That sticking cutout photos from magazines and glitter on MDF tissue box covers with clag is now what people think of when they hear the word craft is proof, to me, that industry has won.

Art has similarly been devalued. Art isn't allowed to have function beyond the aesthetic, or else it upsets industry. So artists are stuck squeezing preprepared paint out of tubes and smearing it on store-bought canvases.

I prefer the word artisan myself, it hasn't (yet) been sullied.

[steve garro]

I prefer the word artisan myself, it hasn't (yet) been sullied.

How about "tradesman"
- Garro.

[e-RICHIE]

the labels are for others to use and abuse atmo.

[suzyj]

How about "tradesman"
- Garro.

Even better, "tradesperson".

[Mark Kelly]

I prefer the word artisan myself, it hasn't (yet) been sullied.

Maybe if you don't read BSNYC.

[steve garro]

Even better, "tradesperson".

I stand rightfully corrected and concur as well.
- Garro.

[Eric Estlund]

the labels are for others to use and abuse atmo.

Indeed, especially if we are reducing art to paint by number and craft to 5th graders with glue. Label yourself as you will, but lets not look at the lowest accepted form of anything.

What a bunch of cranky frame builders we lot are.*


*Take that, grammar.

[Eric Estlund]

Back on topic- and forgive me if this has been covered:

-If its cool with your zoning, insurance, landlord, and the hoops are jump-able it seems feasible
-If you don't mind working while talking or having your shoulder looked over, it could work.

My biggest concern would be separating the dirty work area (acetylene soot, brass dust and metal shavings are all pretty invasive) with a clean retail area, and making sure you had the flexibility to transition between the two. I'd hate to walk out of frame builder mode to pull back stock of white Assos bibs for a customer without a pretty thorough scrub and costume change.

I think it could be a nice thing for the shop, but I imagine the "real work" of frame building part would happen after hours or require a front person to do the retail shop stuff and a builder in the back. As one guy, I would have an easier time doing both well by not overlapping them at the same time (even if both activities took place at the same address).