FOUND - whimsical art, vintage treasures, fun finds!

May 2011 photos at FOUND. Drawing for camera earrings!

This post is going to have LOTS of photos.  A couple months ago, I got a new camera.  I'm still playing with it and have lots to learn, but this is fun!  Can you tell the difference?  Look these pictures over, then comment at the end of this post to register for a chance to win a pair of camera earrings.

 

This guy brightens up the shop.  I just grin when I look at him.  Handmade in Michigan.

 

"Josephine's Studio" is the name of this mother and daughter crafting duo making these whimsical bird pins from discarded upholstry fabric samples.  Their names are both Josephine, aka Joey and Jo.   

 

Notice the table surface under the pin above - we have a set of tables made from recycled metal cans!

 

We had the Josephines bring in a second batch last week.  If your mom likes eco-funky pins, this would be a great Mother's Day gift.

More button jewelry has arrived!  Button bracelets and pins.   We have 3 different jewelry artists creating with vintage buttons.  All made in Michigan. 

 

 

 

 

This framed button message is great  - "Friends are flowers in life's garden."

 

 

All charms & chains are 15% off through Mother's Day!

 

 

Sylvia and Katina restocked us with scrabble pendants.  Do you play words with friends?

 

 

Found more keys.  Fun to incorporate in jewelry and assemblage.  As are these clock parts...

 

Vintage pots for your spring flowers or just to gather on a shelf.

 

Antique book.  Practical Midwifery.  I should have focused on the spine title...  I'm still learning composition and lighting tricks.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hope you enjoyed seeing photos of the shop. I'm loving my new camera. 

And I'm lovin' these cute camera earrings...

 

If we get at least a dozen comments on this post, we'll do a drawing and one lucky poster will win  these cute camera  earrings (combined comments from blog or facebook). 

Smile and say cheese.... and comment below for a chance to win!

 

Burlap Boutique bags at FOUND

Teresa Rogers, owner of Burlap Boutique from Brighton, Michigan,  brought  more of the wonderful purses she makes from recycled burlap coffee bags into FOUND on Friday morning.   She knows local coffee  importers who roast fresh beans.  This is the source of the burlap fabric she uses.  I love the variety of graphics!

 

This artisan really takes repurposing a practical direction, making pieces that are sturdy, functional and great looking!  From small bags to tuck a phone and wallet in - to roomy totes - to messenger bags big enough for a laptop, Teresa designs them all.

 

 

I like how she incorporates thrift shop belts for the handles on some of them.  All the bags are lined with recycled fabrics, too.   Great gift for a student!

 

We're happy to carry these Michigan made, eco-funky bags from Burlap Boutique at FOUND! 

 

Now at FOUND: Antique Tin Expressions by Lori Daniels

About a week ago, I had the opportunity to meet artist Lori Daniels and her life (and art) partner, Stephen White of Mapleton, Illinois.  I brought back over 2 dozen pieces of Lori's art of various sizes from small 6x6 tiles to a huge 9 foot tall glazed painted tin totem collage.

 

This artwork is called Antique Tin Expressions because the "canvas" is actually antique embossed tin, mostly salvaged from tin ceiling panels, circa 1860 through the early 1900s.   Lori mixes paints, resins and glazes in a unique manner to create the most amazing color effects on the tin pieces.  With Stephen's assistance, the tiles are mounted on wood stretcher frames or assembled into collages.  The effect is stunning! 

Lori and Stephen share a love of antiques.  She was once an antique dealer and Stephen is a noted Folk Art dealer and picker with a passion for great pieces.  Their home and gardens are absolutely overflowing with antique collections which inspire the colors and patterns of her art.  It was a true feast for the eyes (not to mention the feast of homemade french toast Lori feed me)! 

Garden treasures filled the spaces between her porches and outbuildings.  including a wonderful assortment of Victorian-era white iron benches, fabulous old tables, rusty garden chairs, architectural salvage, clay pots in antique holders, watering cans, signs with great patina, welded repurposed metal indians and other sculptures by various outsider artists.  2 old Coke machines formed surfaces she uses as workspaces to paint on.  I left my camera in Ann Arbor... next time, the gardens will be in bloom and I promise to take pictures.

If I thought the yard and outbuildings were interesting, there was more to discover inside her home.  Stuff filled every nook and cranny.  Lori has been collecting Majolica pottery and could write a book on it - I saw painted cabinets filled with more of this amazing Victorian tin glazed pottery than I have ever seen at any antique show.  She had it artfully arranged in vignettes with her painted tin original works.  I could have spent a full day just exploring each room of her home.

Seeing the antique Majolica glazes displayed side-by-side with her handmixed trademark glazes made me understand her connection to the artists and potters of 100 year ago.  From a distance her art resembles Pewabic tile.  In fact the patterns in ceilings would minic the fireplace tiles and other decorative arts of the era. In this detail from one of Lori's totems, you can see the variety of patterns that can be found in the tin tiles she paints and glazes. 

 

It was interesting to hear her refer to each style of tin by the name of the building it came out of.  I purchased several pieces for the shop that she referred to as "International Harvester", from the building in Peoria that a distinctive pattern of tin ceiling tiles was salvaged.

Recently, Lori started incorporating vintage license plates, tin containers, hardware and other recycled items in her artwork.  The bold vintage #6 is part of the series she calls "On the Road Again".  That's something I say whenever I head off on a road trip, so of course I needed to bring a couple pieces from this collection back to FOUND! 

 

Here's another tin "quilt square" (my term) with a vintage coffee tin - a perfect compliment to the mid-century California pottery on our table at the shop this week.

 

Art + antiques abounded!  What fun to get to know the artist behind these unique pieces that have made their way to FOUND.  Thanks to Stephen's packing skills, we fit more in to the van than you would think possible.  Their studio and home were overflowing with creativity!   From the  fabulous pottery collections to the dozens of antique flagpoles in a pot in the corner, to a statue of St. Christoper at the top of the stairs, a gardian angel over the bed and blackened raku pots stylistically interspersed with her artwork surrounding the whirlpool - it was such a treat to get the grand tour of this artist's home!

Learn more about artist Lori Daniels at www.antiquetinexpressions.net.   Or stop by our shop to see her work in Ann Arbor.  If there are color palettes or particular pieces on her website that you are interested in, Lori will work with us to bring them to FOUND.

Eco-funky jewelry findings

 

Game pieces can be eco-funky additions to a bracelet or necklace.   Whether you prefer the old metal Monopoly markers like those above or the more recent colorful plastic, a hole can be drilled and a jump ring attached.

 

Add initials with Scrabble tiles.  These are easy to drill if you have a steady hand and the right drill bit.

 

Other odds 'n ends, like these brass tool tags, can be hung on a chunky chain or a simple cord.

 

In addition to the things above, we have lots of fun recycled pendants from vintage buttons, Patera frames and charms that can be combined with game pieces and other findings for a one-of-a-kind necklace or bracelet.  There are endless examples of artists using game peices on etsy and other places on the web.  Feel free to share your favorite links in the comment section.

Use your imagination and have a eco-funky week!

Eco-funky Wednesday: Valentines & Postcards

 

There's something really sweet and endearing about vintage Valentine cards.   They stir memories of childhood.  Sometimes we find a box that has never been used like those above.  But it's okay to reuse old cards.  Just add your name and an extra xoxox, under Jim or Sally's cursive third grade handwriting. 

 

Some are fun to put out every year - this little cook would be cute in the kitchen.  The chef hat is in rough condition but it's still adorable. 

All year long, picture postcards that were never written on are an inexpensive alternative to gift shop greeting cards.  You can find them at antique stores, resale shops and FOUND! 

 

Just add a message and a 28 cent stamp - and drop in the nearest mailbox.

 

Since many old postcards have interesting pictures, I asked Raun at FoundRe to send us a dozen frames made from salvaged wood, cut to fit standard postcards.  They arrived last week.  For framing, cards that have been used are also good. 

Everything pictured above is available that FOUND (as of tonight).   I'm leaving in the morning to go see my sweet daughter and won't be back until Valentines Day.  

I left a treat for my sweetheart husband who will be shoveling snow at home this weekend - decadent, locally made artisan chocolates from Sweet Gem Confections .  

 

If you have a chance to stop by FOUND this week, mention this blog post and get 10% off anything that has a heart on it!   Tell the shop assistant you read it on the blog when you check out.

Make or reuse something and have a eco-funky Valentine's Day!

Eco-Funky Wednesday: Vintage Men's Ties

Remember when business men wore ties to work every day, male teachers taught in neckties and every man was expected to wear one to church on Sunday?  That was pretty common in the 60's when I was growing up. 

My dad had dozens of ties in his closet - mostly thin and some variation of red, but one special yellow tie and even a wooden novelty tie could also be found there.  Grandpa Berg wore extra wide, fabulously handpainted silk ties to his bank meetings.  I wish I had the one with the bucking bronco that he got in California...

Today, ties seem to be making a style comeback ala Mad Men.  But I'm also seeing more repurposing of vintage ties.  They are widely available for not much money at thrift stores.  A super easy way to repurpose one is to simply add a buckle and use it as a belt. 

Sewing on old silk ties can be a challenge, as the fabric slips easily.  One Ann Arbor seamstress who has mastered the technique is Celibeth Donnelly.   

 

We carry her eco-funky little bags at FOUND.  What a great way to accessorize an outfit AND have a place to carry essentials!   We only have 4 of Celibeth's one-of-a-kind, handmade purses left.  I love the grey and charcoal patterns on this one:

 

And the cute wide vintage rick-rack handle and dots 'n stripes on this one...

One of my customers was telling me about a sentimental quilt she had made from dozens of her father's old ties.  She's reminded of him whenever she sees the quilt.  Incorporating special ties into a pillow would also be fun. 

I've seen various styles of skirts made from vintage ties.  When you remove the back seam and iron them flat the wider end forms a natural flare for a flirty looking skirt.

A quick search on etsy found various sellers making things from ties.  Here's a fun cocktail dress from Glamarita.  Follow the link to see her other items.

 

When combined, the various stripes, dots and prints found in men's ties make them a great, affordable material for eco-funky repurposing!

 

 

Eco-funky Wednesday*: Vintage Button Jewelry

A big bowl of buttons just begs me me look closer and touch.  Made in such a variety of materials, shapes and sizes, vintage and antique buttons are a natural material for crafters and artists to incorporate into jewelry.

At FOUND, we have button jewelry from 3 different local artists, each with their own distinctive style.

 

Margaret Shaw from Manchester, Michigan provides us with stacked button bracelets.  These red and pink versions are perfect for Valentines.  She also makes earrings.

 Elizabeth Busch makes fun button bracelets on stretchy cord that remind me of the colorful sugar candy bracelets and necklaces of my childhood:

 

Ann Arbor artist Cara Rosaen of Sweet Plum Vintage labels all her jewelry with information about the buttons she uses.  This necklace called "Blacktop Crumble" incorporates Victorian era black glass buttons, as well as mid-Century metal and plastic buttons. A chunky piece that is sure to draw compliments..

 

 If you're thinking about making jewelry from your grandmother's buttons or your own collection, we carry this terrific book by Susan Davis called Beautiful Button Jewelry (Sterling Publishing. 2005).   In addition to step by step instructions, this book provides a wonderful history of buttons with clear illustrations. 

My favorite sections are those with stenciled china buttons and the projects using colorful Bakelite buttons.

 

One necklace uses antique mother-0f-pearl shell buttons crocheted with silk embroidery thread.  For those of you who enjoy needle arts, this is a good winter project.

Another shows how to incorporate sparkly rhineshones with Victorian shoe buttons and old glass beads.  A materials list and step-by-step instructions are included. For the photo charms, I think our patera findings would work right in with this bracelet.

 

I look for buttons to add to our supply whenever I'm out shopping for vintage things.  We have bowls of common buttons at $3 per scoop. 

Lots of people have an instinctive reaction to run their hands through this tub of mixed whites.

 

 

If you're looking for buttons for special projects, we have lots of buttons tucked into a big antique Hamilton print cabinet.   Interesting celluloids and early plastics.  Note the extruded ivory colored plastics on the left - they look like curly spaghetti!

 

The carved cream and black buttons below are some of my favorites. 

The button jewelry we carry is popular year round.   

When you wear button jewelry, you're reusing something that was originally utilitarian in a new and eco-funky way!

Regards,

Mary

 

*the title says Eco-funky Wednesday, but for technical reasons this eco-funky look at recycled art is being posted on Thursday. 

Eco-funky Wednesday: Green Daffodil Soy Candles

#1 in a weekly series of posts with earth friendly products

For about a year, we've been carrying soy candles from Green Daffodil Soy Candleworks.  The quality and scents rival all the the high end soy candles that I've tested at the gift markets.  And they are made close to home - in Ferndale, Michigan - by two of the nicest entrepeneurs you'll ever meet!

 

Here, in co-founder Siouxsan Miller's words, is how it all started...

(Green Daffodil)was conceived during a cold mid-western winter by my best friend / neighbor Anne Simonetti and myself. Both of us share the love for a great candle, so long hours were spent researching, and testing many different waxes and wicks to find a perfect combination. The result was pure soy wax and an all cotton wick.

So are you going green? Well, our 100% soy candles can easily help!  Their soot-free burn, long burn time, and wonderful scent throw, are certainly compelling factors to get excited about. But you are also enjoying a green product made from a wax that is completely renewable, eco-friendly, grown in America, vegan, carbon neutral, sustainable, and is just an all-around positive product. The goal was to a make the best candle for you and the planet.

Anne and I hand-pour each candle in small batches at our studio. We use essential oils or phthalate-free fine fragrance oils to offer the best scent possible....We recommend you trim your wick to 1/4" before each use and allow an even wax pool to form. This will ensure the best enjoyment and longevity of your 100% soy candle.

Siouxan and Anne have studied wax and get excited about the properties of pure soy wax for candle making.  They also make soaps and lip balm from soy.  I grew up in Central Illinois, where soybean production is huge.  Until recently, I never gave much thought to it -  just noted the seasonal color changes in the fields as it neared harvest time.    If you're curious and want to learn more about soybeans, there is a pretty extensive Wikipedia article about it, including Henry Ford's desire to incorporate soy products in automobile manufacting and the suit he wore.

 These slow burning soy candles come in 4 and 8 oz tins with clear lids.  We're pleased to offer this eco-funky product at FOUND!

 

Stop in or order these wonderful candles online at www.foundgallery.com.