I never set out to make enemies. As a journalist, I avoid topics that generate hate mail. I leave the reporting of gang wars to tougher members of the media, and stick to home design. But after my column on framing artwork appeared last week, along with my opinion that custom framing costs too darn much, geesh, I fear leaving my house. Framing professionals would like to see me tarred and feathered – but only after I issue a retraction. Which I’m not going to do. They have even gone to the grumble blog, and asked fellow framers to gang up and barrage me with complaints. They’ve posted comments all over my online columns because I dared to attack their livelihoods and question their profit margins in these tough times.

So, for the record: As a journalist, my business is not to keep anyone else in business. As a columnist, I’m supposed to give my opinion. Opinions by nature have more than one side. My side is that custom framing is too expensive. I’m the first to admit I’m the Queen of Cheap. Now I appreciate that framing art well is a skill. I know that a lovely frame and mat can enhance artwork. I get that few framers are “rich” as they’ve repeatedly reminded me. But Holy Almighty, I shouldn’t have to pay for a frame with my vital organs. Furthermore, my hunch was correct. While whining to a former framer about the backlash I’d gotten from the frame industry, he shared this industry secret: The mark-up on frame materials is typically 3 1/2 times the cost of materials. “It’s the biggest racket out there,” he told me. I felt vindicated.

My advice remains: If you want a lovely frame job, and the art you want to frame is valuable meaningful, and you can afford it, by all means, support your local custom framer. If you’d rather put your money toward art, not frames, learn how to frame work yourself, buy art already framed by the artist or gallery, or buy ugly art that has a great frame from flea markets or consignment stores and re-use the frame.