FOUND - whimsical art, vintage treasures, fun finds!

Madness!

After a busy weekend at the shop, the last 2 days have been fairly calm.  But not for long...on Friday there will be MADNESS in Kerrytown. 

Midnight Madness, that is! 

 The first Friday in December, downtown Ann Arbor merchants host an evening of festive shopping with special sales and events.  This year that falls on December 3rd.  At FOUND we start our sale at 10:00 in the morning.  It ends at Midnight.  The Kerrytown District is an especially fun place to shop!

 

Our special that day is 20% off almost everything in stock  (handmade artisan things will be 10% off), which can be combined with "Merry Multiples" savings of over 35% off.   Merry Multiples is our season-long special where if you buy 5 of something, you get a 6th one for FREE!   That can amount to some pretty great deals during Midnight Madness on presents for those on your list (and yourself) when combined with the 20% off sale.  Here's how it works - if you need 6 sock monkeys to tie on packages or decorate your tree, take 20% off AND get one of them for free.  Need made in Michigan candles?  Take 20% off and get a free one when you buy 5.  A great day to stock up on stocking stuffers, tree ornaments, chocolate filled candy canes and more!

 

Can't make it in on Friday????  We love the hub-bub of Midnight Madness, but some prefer a calmer shopping experience.  We understand and have a plan.  If you're reading this, you're special, so you can get the magic words to extend this to a 4-day sale.  Say the magic words when you come in for the 2 days before or 2 days after Midnight Madness, and get the same great deals as on Friday.   As Bing crones in all those holiday albums, "I'm dreaming of a White Christmas" - those are the magic words you can use anytime between tomorrow, December 1st, and Sunday, Dec. 5th to make your own sale day!

 

 

 

 

Thursday Sunshine Club

 

Want to make Pateras with the resin that cures in sunshine, but not sure we'll have enough sunshine?  For the first 3 Thursdays in December, we'll have our UV lamps plugged in - makin' some artificial sunshine for those of you who have Patera projects to finish.  Stop in Dec. 2, 9 or 16 between 4:00 - 7:00 p.m.  Start your Patera Pendants at home and use our complimentary big bottle of gel du soleil and UV lamp to cure the resin. 

 

This Thursday, Cyndi will be here showing simple wire wrapping techniques as well.  We've gathered game pieces, charms, buttons and other little things that can be added to a charm bracelet or necklace.   Stop by December 2nd between 4:00 and 7:00  and she'll help you walk out the door with something special.

 

 

Holiday Hours

 

Monday - Friday   10 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Saturday   9 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Sunday    10 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. 

Patera making supplies and help dates

 

Many of our customers are now familiar with these little jewelry frames called Pateras.  They are made by a small Washington state company, started by Becky Nunn, called Nunn Design.  The word Patera is a Latin noun for an ornamental amulet.  Many different materials and techniques can be used with the Pateras, but we like to insert mini photos or bits of vintage papers in them, then use a quick cure resin called Gel du Soleil to produce personalized pendants.  Many people use photos of special people (or even pets) and add their Pateras to a charm bracelet or design a necklace, keychain or ornaments using these great little frames.  The technique is quick and easy to do.

 

The photo above is from the Nunn Design website.  We carry all the materials for this project.  The basic 4-step technique is:  glue image into patera frame, seal top of image, allow glue to dry, apply thin layer of Gel du Soleil UV resin and place in strong sunlight for 20 minutes to cure. 

Simple!  But wait... this is Michigan, where many days in late November and December have no strong sunlight.  No worry, we have UV lamps designed for this purpose.  You can purchase them at FOUND or come to the shop on designated Thursdays in December to finish your project by using our UV lamps, if needed.

While we don't have the space this year for a full fledged workshop, you can start your Pateras at home, knowing you can come in for tips or a bit of artificial sunlight in plenty of time for gift giving!   We'll have our UV lamps plugged in and complimentary Gel du Soleil from our big bottle from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. on these Thursdays:  December 2, December 9 and December 16th. 

Ready to make some gifts!

Mary

P.S.   We have an excellent selection of styles right now - stop in soon, while it's on sale at 15% off

Front Page of Sunday Paper

For 8 weeks every year, FOUND becomes a whimsical Christmas Shop.  This is our 5th holiday season in Kerrytown and things are off to a festive start.   Last week, the local newspaper Ann Arbor.com sent a photographer and we were on the front page of the Sunday edition (above the fold, even).   Thanks to everybody who stopped and mentioned it!  Click on the link to read the article.  Although we're not quoted in the article, our friend Vicki at Heavenly Metal and other locally owned businesses are.

Our strategy has always been to have a unique mix of merchandise at Christmas that includes lots of new little things in the under $10 range that make good stocking stuffers and hostess gifts.  We have a great selection of candles, including Green Daffodil Soy and glowing snowflake candles that are made in Michigan.  Add to the mix wonderful handmade items like the wool angel by Greta Chirco and felted ornaments by the Au Gres Sheep Factory, plus vintage sleds & ornaments and that antique yellow bird cage.  This is a fun place to shop for unusual decorations and gifts. 

For 8 weeks the magic continues!

Regards,

Mary

 

 

Ready for Christmas at FOUND!

 
 
Our annual transformation for the holidays is complete!

There was an article about FOUND in the Michigan Daily last week that captured the essence of the variety of things you'll find here  - a fun mix of  vintage, new and artisan.  (If you have time, take a peak at this link to the article from the university newspaper)  Look closely at the photo above and you'll find things in each of those categories.  The vintage print of 2 women fencing, an old orange cabinet and a 70s model airplane giving Santa a lift.  New decorative cream & while Santa, mitten and snowmen ornaments.  Handmade items pictured are made in Michigan needlefelted polar bears, wreaths from wool scraps, birdhouse from recycled farm materials and picture frames from Chicago salvage.  That's just one little snippet of our holiday displays.  Here are a couple more:

 

Aren't these snowmen ornaments cute tumbling and sledding on this old saucer-style sled?

 

Snowmen in a fun variety of styles and cute candy cane stripe candles fill this table, covered with an nubby white chenille bedspread.  Vintage restaurant cups + a snowman ornament + a homemade cocoa mix would make a great gift!

Warm regards,

Mary