Update to cost of framing pictures
 

I went to several stores that were having the 50-60% off sales (JoAnn's, HobbyLobby, Michael's, etc.) and a funny thing happened. They all quoted a price very similar to each other and with the "coupon" it came out to the cost of the framing at a local framing shop that I had used in the past which had no coupon.
That was weird. I would have expected the "big box stores" prices to be half of the local speciality shop since they were 50% off.
So without the coupons, these stores would be twice the cost of the local store. I think not.

The real price is a joke because they run a coupon for it every week.

Yep; there sale price is really the REAL cost, not a sale at all.

I hope you went back to the local shop

topstitch,
absolutely! I like to shop local anyway when I can.

I use the local shop in Montgomeryville, PA and have never had a bad deal or bad work. I forget the name but it is at five-points.

Same thing happened to me - 70% off at Michaels - $180.00. I laughed and said "yeah, sure". but she wasn't joking. Are these people for real????? So now I have another project to put in a drawer. It's a good thing that I enjoy the journey rather than the finished product.

And you will probaly be happier with the local store as their service and quality would be better.

I had a 5x7 embrodered piece I made for my granddaughter and was shocked at the cost of framing.
I wanted a mat making the piece 10x12. Aaron brothers wanted $90. Joanans & Michaels with coupon
wanted $40. This is for a piece that I payed $6.99 on E-Bay. So I decided to frame it myself. Got another
shock, the choice of mats is limited. Black, white & gray, did not to go with the project. So decided to
go to an art supply store. Found an off white on the pick side. Worked great, brought out all the colors in the project.
Pay the $2.50 went back to Michaeles found an off white frame. All is good. Went to frame it took the wrapping off
the mat and found that the sun had faded the mat except where there was sticker. So now have what looks like
a stane on the mat. Back to Michaels to find some flowers to cover stane. Found some pink flowers in the scrap
booking section. Put one over the stane, lower left corner and one in the upper right coner to make it flow.
I am so happy with the results. I would not have thought to add the flowers if not for the stane but it just makes the whole thing pop. I love the results but I spent almost as much time trying to frame it as I did working it.

I agree!! I won't be having any "custom" framing done. I'll do it myself.