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Introduction

Mikki Kavich MCPF

Mikki Kavich MCPF

Frequent Poster
 :
Messages
689
Loc
Crossville, TN
Company
Mikki's Frame Shop
I was reminded of my manners, or lack of, this morning!

I have never formally introduced myself here because I know so many of you personally. Sorry!

My given name is Mariska but I have been Mikki since 8th grade when friends hearing my step dad call me mouse starting calling me Mickey Mouse. It stuck but being contrary I chose a different spelling. People had always mispronounced my name and mostly it was "Marsha" those of you that know the Brady Bunch will see why I hated that!

I have been in framing since 1983 and opened my own shop 5 years ago after my first trip to WCAF.
I just earned my MCPF this year in Vegas.

I tend to like to frame "projects" things that I have to figure out or change something about. Frame finishes, multiple layers and table top frames.

My father's family was from Poland and both my names have Polish connections. The last name was one of those that was chopped up at Ellis Island. The first name was my Great Great grandmothers.

I have a 26 years old son, two grand children and a wennie dog!

Thank you for Kai for pointing out that I don't know everyone here, or they know me!
 
.. and a warm congratulations and thank you for joining the PPFA Framer's Corner Committee and moderator team.
 
Hope you don't mind if I follow your lead Mikki.

I'm Walter (Wally) Fay, owner of Sunshine Frames started by my parents and another couple in 1973 as a hobby/business. I started working there in 1978 and bought it in 1979. Prior to that I had been the framer at The Connoisseur, a gallery specializing in Islamic antiquities, in Washington DC.

My business is in Jacksonville Beach, and I reside with my wife, Ellen, in Atlantic Beach. Our daughter is grown and gone (not far though) so we have ourselves and a myriad of pets including Mardi the Parti colored Standard Poodle, who doubles as official greeter at my shop, and Turbo the Smooth Coat Fox Terrierist. The list includes birds, cats, an aquarium, and a pond. Ellen is the gardener, and I am the resident cook.

I have transitioned from being more of a retail framer to more of a B to B. I work for the Museum of Contemporary Art, Jacksonville, private galleries, professional artists, designers, and corporations. I do still do retail, but it has become a much smaller component of the business. I have one full time employee, Mark, who is also a professional photographer and artist.
 
Welcome, Wally. Years ago I spent a couple of summers at nearby Amelia Island, and found that section of Florida very pleasant.

Mikki's shop was the lead story the October-November 2011 issue of FMO. She and I go back a few years, although I didn't know it until recently. We both passed the CPF exam in Las Vegas in 2008, then followed that up five years later with the MCPF last month.
 
Cool Wally! If you were in D.C. in the late 60's in the art scene you may have run into my father. He was the manager of what my mother said was a very happening gallery. It would be great if I remembered the name! My mom worked for several different law offices in D.C. and we lived on G street during the riots. I was clipped by a car on that street. I have a stash of art he collected during that time. His name was John Kavich just in case that rings a bell. He was also a crazy talented artist in his own right. At that point he was doing a lot of etchings.

Byron, I would not remember you from that day, talk about nervous as a cat in a room full of rocking chairs! I do remember there was quite a crowd of us.
MCPF class of 13 ROCKS! LOL!

Thanks Mike!
 
Mikki, thanks for the proper intro. And yikes baby you don't look OLD enough to have a 26 year old.

Having met ya in Vegas, if only briefly, it was tough trying to figure you out. You know, what's this person like...I see ya posting on FB and you seem SO EXUBERANT. In person you seemed more quiet. Your intro helped to know ya more. As a bit of a sensing individual...quiet people unnerve me.
So, real nice to know ya more.
 
Wally,

your parents started the business the year I was born. So HAPPY 40TH ANNIVERSARY!

Hi to my 2013 MCPF buddies!

I can't believe I've been framing for 18 years now. Flies by!

Glad to be hear and part of the corner!

-Sarah
 
Kai Vanuffelen said:
Now there is something interesting. Do you think people who are quiet tend to express themselves better in writing? Does that mean, that many of the frequent writers on this Corner are in fact quiet people?
Click to expand...

I think quiet people are more careful. As in summing things up before they throw themselves out there. With writing, on a forum for example, a person can carefully write in such a way as to not misrepresent themselves.

I surmise this as I am neither thoughtful nor careful, but I am rather shy. However, as I hate for people to be ill at ease, I am normally carrying on a wee circus side show, to make other people feel comfortable, unfortunately at the great expense of my dignity. AH codependency!!! :playful:

Very few people know the real and genuine Cathy, as she is tucked away behind the nutso-ness I present.

And Kai, no I don't think frequent post-ers are shy, in fact, in a forum, either could be the case, as anonymity, even to a small extent can be empowering to the shy, or the more daring. But, all of that IS tempered, I believe, with a running tally of who we are in are previous posts. We all want to be fully known, I think, not just represented in a post or two. Or at least we HOPE people do not judge us on one or two posts.

Hmmm, ya got me really thinking fella....always dangerous. But alas, it is time to close up my popsicle stand.

Until tomorrow then.:smile-new:
 
Cathy you are like a kaladiscope of whirling color! I wish we had some one on one time!!
I was happy to see you wearing the feather hair clip it looked great on you!
I find I get more silly and enjoy life's re now than ever... It is grab the brass ring before the bursitis arthritis mindsitis hits!!!
Thanks for the age compliment!!
We have to pull out the knitting needles next year!!
 
Cathy Coggins said:
Mikki, thanks for the proper intro. And yikes baby you don't look OLD enough to have a 26 year old...
Click to expand...

Agreed Cathy, And how does Mikki pull that off?!?


Nice to get to know several of you whom "I've known" for some time. I really do like the tone of this dialogue and feel like somebody will be offering us a glass of wine pretty soon....

Interesting that several of us have Maryland-DC connections. Being a military brat, I spent some time in the area as well. Lived in Hillcrest Heights (SE DC) 1958-64 while my Dad was at the Pentagon. Actually my parents are both buried in Arlington.

Stayed in the area and went to High School in Severna Park, just north of Annapolis. A couple of years ago, Bossy Ellen gave me a nice little vintage book (1899), "Eighty Views of Washington"... B&W photos. Thanks Ellen - it's those little things in life, you remember! ;)

John
 
Hey y'all - (Needed to speak some "southern") :)

John did you know my Mom is from Annapolis and my Dad from Baltimore?

I spent most of my summers alternating between Annapolis and Massapequa, NY (on Long Island).
 
Cathy Coggins said:
Mikki, thanks for the proper intro. And yikes baby you don't look OLD enough to have a 26 year old.
Click to expand...
She probably had him when she was 7 yrs old!

John Ranes II said:
I really do like the tone of this dialogue and feel like somebody will be offering us a glass of wine pretty soon....
Click to expand...
I hope there might be some lemonade too, for those of us who don't drink!
 
Hi All, Mikki this is a Great Thread!!! Thanks for starting it.

I have been framing since 1997, joined PPFA around 1998/99 don't remember for sure, and became active in the chapter pretty much at that time. I got my CPF in 2002, and MCPF in 2008. A lot of studying but I am glad I did it. I by no means know it all and am always learning.

I have 2 teenagers, a Great husband and lots of animals (as any of my FB friends know). We just moved our shop and I am still getting settled. The customers are finding us and that makes me Happy!

I will say PPFA has been great. I have met many friends and feel comfortable asking them all types of crazy questions. There are also some great mentors out that that have pushed me to do more and more (William Parker:smug: ). With out the encouragement I get from you guys and gals I am not sure I would still be doing this and enjoying it.

So Thanks to Everyone!!!

I look forward to more intros from everyone.

Robin
 
I have absolutely NO connection to DC. Although will be going there for the first time in April for my second marathon. Can't wait. After seven years as a Small biz owner I am finally getting/seizing/demanding a life. And getting fit, doing charity work and traveling at the same time.

I grew up in upstate NY, just outta Albany. In Hudson NY. Big family, parents had a small biz I worked in, a health food store. I hated it. At 16 you aren't thrilled talking about prostates, and cancer, and de-worming and stuff. I loved the work and the people and the responsibility. I was 16, and my parents split in the middle of it, so a lot fell on my shoulders, including my youngest brother who was then 1.
When I couldn't stand the pressure any more I went across the street to the cross stitch shop. Learned a lot, always was an 'old soul'.

Well, divorce of parents brought me to Florida. Worked, and worked a lot. After I got married my depression got outta control (no big family to take care of) and wound up working for this crazy lil' cross stitch shop that did framing. I learned to sell framing and run the shop. Years later I bought the place. And someone had to DO the framing. That was seven years ago, and the place is still open.

Mikki, that is the second time this week, NO LIE, that I have been described as a kaleidoscope of color. I live as I feel. If I am happy, I spread it. I work hard, I try to teach, inspire, empower and make a difference with everybody I meet, unless they creep me out.

The name Cathy means genuine, I try to be that in all I do.
Love people, love knowing them and what makes them tick and try to learn something from everybody, even if it is just what not to do. Perhaps that gets me perceived as immature or naive, but it is way more fun and life is short.

Well there is my introduction. Pleased to meet ya'll. :love::love::love: (What a cut lil' emoticon!!)
 
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