There are plastic square rods with adhesive on one side. 1/8 inch is ideal. All framers have them but not all will sell to you. Ask around for clear plastic spacers.

Sources I found on the internet want you to buy enough for 2 lifetimes.

True true true! Our local non-chain-store Art Cdnter frame shop sells spacers as single srrips/rods in 1/4" and in 3/8" depths. Same things, adhesive on one side to stick to frame and rest not adnesive. Use with beads of buttons or charms. Just measure the depth of the stuff that sticks up from the surface of yiur cross stitch. Here in my area the two sizes are $6 for 1/4" and $7.50 for the 3/8". Our Michael's does not sell spacers.
I suggest calling all framers in your area.

They are used if you frame with your stitching under glass. Depending on the depth of the beads, charm, buttons, you can depend on matting with a double or triple mat to raise the frame (and therefore the glass) off your stitching. I use glass because I have seen the damage done to precious heirloom stitching when not covered by glass. Not just cigarette smoke but fireplace/woodstove smoke, dust, mold, pet hair and odors of all sorts.

Why use these?

1. The embellishment can get pushed into your stitching.
2. The embellishment can break when it is against the glass.
3. The embellishment can scratch or break the glass.
4. There are some designs that you may not want to mat. Most early samplers were not matted.

Thank you for the feedback. Will start calling around to see what is available. I'm probably going to start my first framing project next week, definitely waiting till after Thanksgiving; keeps me from putting my gravy/dressing soaked fingers on anything.
DH and I decided to make a greek dish called Pastitso (ground beef/noodles; like a lasagna) with a new casserole pan we bought this past week. It came out ok, but each square we cut is close to 4 1/2" DEEP; one piece is a meal....LOL!

Bermuda...your Pastitso sounds yummy, better than frog legs.....it will be just dh and I for dinner on Thursday and we are going for unconventional....Tex-Mex...which we both love...be sure to let us know how your framing project is going, I am also trying to learn how to frame and could use some tips....

Save some Tex-Mex for me! Just DH and I this Thursday as well.
Stick around...I may be needing some tips and encouragement from you. I "saved" the framing tutorial video by Tara C. that I found on You-Tube and will be reviewing Part 1 of it. I've got the supplies, so I'll be following Tara's directions on this small project. DH, bless him, said he's willing to learn how to frame along with me on this small project.

It was going to be just DH and me, but we are going to DD's (darling daughter or x@#%&# daughter), the youngest girl, on Thursday, so DH has decided, being crowned Saint William of King Salmon, that HE will cook a Thanksgiving dinner with all the trimmings on Saturday and invite our two neighbors and today decided to invite an ex-boyfriend of our eldest daughter. Mostly, I will miss my two sons in heaven.
It all means more pumpkin pie for me and days of turkey!

also if your framing your own...please use acid free stuff..no cardboard....no woods...I once re-framed a old piece for a lady that had used cardboard on some plywood...it was awful the damage that stuff did to the stitched piece..it stained it terribly there is acid free tapes and backing boards...they tend to cost a bit more but well worth it in the years to come

Love Greek, will you be having Baklava for dessert? We are going traditional this year, last year we didn't. We are going to DD's and co. DH and I wouldn't mind Campbell's. We are so easy these days.

I will probably have to swallow the bitter pill and do my own framing since our shop no longer does and will either be sold (I hope) or close. Going out of town just seems too much of a hassle and having 5 or 6 done is a big hit to the pocketbook. Right now I am struggling with getting my beads to stand up straight. I have to review the tutorial again - if I can find it in my list of cryptic notes.

Does one require spacers only if no matting is used? I have to check if the stretcher will continue to stretch after the shop closes. That's half the battle.

robertsgunshop, I agree about using the correct materials. I've had that one drilled into my head. Did I read somewhere that you live in IA? Lovely state. We lived in the Quad Cities area for several months. I loved sitting by the river. DH worked on Rock Island Arsenal. I have the fabric for all the Celtic ladies but wish that I had known about the hand dyed fabrics you mentioned. I have a piece for another project, can't remember which, and really like it.

Thank you all for your help! I really love this chat, good people, GREAT STITCHERS, on a website with fantastic Customer Service; help when you need it, emotional support when you "screw up" on a project!. Another thing to be grateful for!

Someone mentioned that using 2-3 mats will act as a "spacer', correct? If so, that is good information to know should I start using matting.

I'll check out for the spacers AND (I didn't know) Acid-free tape. I have stainless steel pins as suggested on the Tara C. turtorial on the acid-free mounting (non-sticky) board. I also found a small frame, with glass, for the project which is Lizzie Kate's "Autumn ABC's" Snippet. Finishing up the "y and z" on the alphabet and will be ready to roll for next week.

DH is showing a healthy interest in learning to frame these projects I've completed. I'm glad because he has the "head for math" that I don't if we start creating our own frames. Do you know that I did NOT USE ALGEBRA-- not even ONCE- today?
Will keep everyone informed how DH and I are progressing starting next week...EVERYONE HAVE A SAFE AND HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Yes, please do, Bermuda. I am curious to know how long his "healthy interest" lasts! :) I hope, for your sake, longer than mine.

Gotta run, DH has an appointment with his nephrologist. Hopefully, I have time this weekend.