"We have more reasons to love each other based on our common humanity than to victimize one another because of any difference."

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

The Frame Story

Most of you know that I have been laying the foundation to start a picture frame company for well over a year now. This past semester and this whole summer has been heavily devoted to my project and I have made a ton of progress in the past few weeks alone. I have finally tracked down a possible supplier who I am waiting for to give me a figure on how much 400 hand made frames will cost...but the whole story behind the inspiration itself is pretty interesting.

Last summer while living in Orizaba Mexico I was working on an ïnternship" with the Mexican Government. I use the term loosely because in all reality I sat at a desk and doodled hoping someone would talk to me or I could go home early. One day my boss told me to go home and get a sweater because we were going to Tlaxcala together. I asked her if I needed anything else and she said no. So twenty minutes later we were in the car headed to this mysterious Tlaxcala, which, I assumed was 30 minutes away at the most. Three hours, a full bladder, and no lunch later we arrived in the capital city. She turned to me and asked where I would like to be dropped off? I had no idea where I was. No money. No phone. She dropped me off in the city center. There was a large church, an open park, buildings, open air markets, and a grocery store. I searched for 45 minutes before I found a bathroom she told me she'd be back to get me in three hours. I felt like crying.

I wandered around and ended up in this sketchy part of town and ended up walking down some small back alley to a art gallery I had spotted tucked away in a corner. Inside was a bright and beautiful display full of picture frames. Frida Khalo, Che, Andy Warhol style pop art frames, frames with bold colors, beautiful designs, and lots of funky spunk. I was in love. And with no camera and no money I was also highly annoyed.

When I finally returned to San Diego at the end of the summer I wanted to make some frames for my dorm. I pulled out an old miter chop saw who's blade was 15 years old and made a trip to Home Depot. When my mom saw the finished frames she exclaimed, "You should sell these! They are beautiful!"

1 comments:

Unknown said...

Caitlin -- I think your frames are awesome. I definitely want to be your first customer and I can't wait until you are in production.

Please keep me posted on your progress!