Quick take: I've stopped buying from Michaels, where I used to get all my picture frames, after seeing comments from the CEO of its parent company calling pro-Palestinian campus protests antisemitic and anti-American. I'm getting frames and supplies from Blick instead, and thrifting when I can.
Michaels Was My Go-To
If you follow me as Omar Knows Photos, you know I post a lot of photos, and like many creators I've also been speaking about Palestine. I've done short-form content at Michaels because it's a fun place to shoot and the employees are usually really chill, like a Christmas shoot I did with Caroline.
I've also bought a ridiculous number of picture frames there. I only bought frames from Michaels because their style is consistent, and I have a backup pile and a whole box of them. Whenever someone asked where to buy frames, I told them Michaels. Not anymore.
Why I'm Boycotting
Michaels is owned by a private equity firm, and a clip of that firm's CEO describing the campus protests as "absolutely" antisemitic and anti-American is what did it for me. I'd seen Michaels listed on Dis-Occupied, which tracks companies and explains its reasoning for each listing. It also notes this isn't the first time the CEO has made comments like this. I thought I already knew who supported Palestinians, who was neutral and who didn't, so I was surprised to see Michaels there.
Where I'm Buying Instead
Dis-Occupied also lists alternatives. I'm buying from Blick now. You should thrift picture frames when you can, but when you sell framed prints or give them out as gifts in volume, you need somewhere with a consistent selection, and for now that's Blick. If you have a better recommendation, let me know in the comments.
Michaels won't see another dollar from me.
