Though it is frigid outdoors, but inside we're anticipating the arrival of spring. Officially Spring arrives in 4 weeks...
These robin egg candles are just $2 each! Also have lots of nests and these brand new platters featuring 3 different birds - the design is based on antique illustrations.
This is a time of planning for the year - after almost 4 years in business, the seasons take on a familiar flow. Merchandise comes in and goes out. We find fun ways to display it. Customers share their tips and creativity with us. Things are hectic at times, slow at others, but always interesting. The finder in me heads out seeking new treasures. Finding the right balance of vintage, new and artisan for the shop is always a challenge - the search is fun. I'm in Illinois right for a couple days - mom called me about a promising auction for a retiring preschool teacher of 49 years (3 generations of students!) With visions of antique kids chairs, vintage readers, flash cards and games in my head, I drove from Ann Arbor to central Illinois (with a quick stop in Chicago to visit my favorite daughter). Stayed at Mom's last night....got up early, drank my coffee and drove 35 miles on snowpacked and icy roads to arrive 25 minutes after they had sold boxes full of 1950's word cards, picture cards and preschool workbooks. 4 hours later my van was half way filled with things I hadn't intended to buy and paid too much for... actually, I was able to get gobs of colorful vintage wood beads that will make wonderful jewelry. And some fun art books and magazines. And some other odd things to take to the shop. Tomorrow, if the roads are a bit better, I'll go the Washington, Illlnois to visit one of my favorite antique malls. I almost always find fun things for the shop there. Last time I went there, I found some little notebooks - one of which I keep in the car to tally my milage for trips such as this one. In the same town is a great little artist studio where I found this great black/white checked platter for the shop. I hope to hit a few other places and find more vintage things to mix in at the shop.
Meanwhile, back in Ann Arbor....Andrea has been adding more things (especially jewelry made from recycled materials) to the website - you can now shop for jewelry and gifts from FOUND in your jammies.
Warm regards - it won't be long until the robins arrive!
Mary