For a long time, I bought all of my framing supplies (mat board, foam core for mounting, frame sections) from Dick Blick. But though I still often buy my paper supplies from either them or any local art store, I now prefer Art City Frame’s custom cut metal frames for better prices, selection and availability.

I get my glass from a local hardware store that will custom cut any size for a very reasonable price. If you’re in the neighborhood, it’s Cooper Hardware at the corner of 14th and Oak St. NW. I’ve experimented with ordering plexiglass online so I could cut it myself, but it’s a pain and scratches easily. For all of the “non-glare” options out there, I still think regular old glass looks the best and most professional.

I also recommend browsing your local thrift store for quality frame materials. Look for frames that have real glass and frame sections (usually aluminum) that can be taken apart with screws. Though some cheaper frames that use flat springs to hold the artwork in place can work just as well. This is an especially good way to get poster sized frame materials that are quite expensive to order or buy at a frame shop.

And if you’re really serious about doing your own framing, it’s time to invest in a professional mat cutter. You can get pre-cut mats for most standard print sizes, but if you’re going to be framing on a regular basis, you can get a mat cutter for around $100 that is very easy to use and pays for itself with a few uses.

I have a Logan Model 450. The key features are bevel and straight blade cutters that fit into a rail, a “production stop” that makes sure you don’t cut too far and ruin your window, and a parallel mat guide that makes it very easy to set your depth. I can’t believe all of those years I wasted with a hand-held cutter and a frigging ruler, making all of my mistakes on that last cut.

I was tickled to read of this exchange between Lancaster County Amish and New York City’s ultra-Orthodox Jewish communities. I have deep affection for both of these groups of hat-wearing beardos.

First, because my paternal grandfather was Amish as a boy–his family later backslid to become Mennonites, as I am today. No I do not drive a buggy–that’s the whole point. But I do drive a black bumper car. (But only because that was the color of the best-priced used VW Jetta diesel, purchased to run on biodiesel. My previous diesel was a butter yellow ‘83 Mercedes with worldly chrome bumpers that must have had my Amish ancestors spinning in their graves.)

The second reason this story caught my eye was because my all-time favorite and always-reliable photo gear and supply catalog has been B&H, operated by Hasidic Jews in Manhattan. They consistently have the best prices of non-scammers–often better than many of the Hong Kong-based sellers on Ebay. Plus, superfast shipping. The only wrinkle is that they close for sabbath and Jewish holidays, so the Tokina 11-16mm f2.8 I just ordered won’t ship until after Passover. But with their service and reliability, I’m not complaining. One of these days I’ll do a post on other trusted retailers–a constant source of late-night Google searches when I’m agonizing over whether that Ebay seller or cut-rate site is too good to be true. It usually is.

And I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the Simpsons episode where the visit Capitol City and drive by some Hasidic Jews:

Bart: Look, it’s ZZ Top! [leans out the window and shouts] You guys rock!

Hasidic Jew: Eh, maybe a little…