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! 

 

Last Minute Gift Ideas

 

 

 

 

Little stockings are great to stuff with stuff.  Like a monkey.  Or travel sized Archipelago lotion.  Or a gift card from FOUND!

 

This Santa Claus, handmade using vintage materials, is pretty special.  So is the knitting elf below and his cousins who paint and crochet!

 

Vintage dishes and odd things from our tiny treasure drawers might be just what you're looking for...  (the head vase already sold)

 

Button bracelets and bud vases crafted from knife handles are a couple of our most popular gifts this holiday season.

 

Candles shaped like artist brushes!  Assemblage boxes by Terri Sarris.  FoundRe frames from salvaged materials.

 

Stop in for more unique gift ideas!

 

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. 

Tidbits

 I always love to see the odd pictures that Jenny Murray snaps between "official" shots that she does for our website and ads.   A couple weeks ago, she was in for a holiday shoot.  (Hopefully, one or more of her photos will be featured in the upcoming issue of AmericanStyle Magazine.)  We scrambled to make one corner of the shop look like Christmas for a few hours.  This was a bit tricky.  I didn't realize just how Autumn-Halloween-ish the shop is this time of year, until we needed to avoid having orange in the background!  At the end of the day, we put the antique ice skates, handmade Santas, vintage ornaments and more away - until the first week of November.  In the meantime, here are a few of the non-christmas photos Jenny snapped that Sunday.

 

Jenny used the word "tidbits" when describing what we have at FOUND.  I like that word.  We DO feature fun, little tidbits of a lot of different goodies. 

Like watch parts and milk caps, in FireKing bowls above.  Or funny dogs with hats. sitting in the drawer with anagrams and scrabble pieces.  Tidbits.

 

Old glass negatives and photographs.  Tidbits for altered art....

 

Love this image of Margaret Shaw's stacked button bracelets:

 

Regards,

Mary 

even MORE whipple workshop photos!

Finally had time to get back to my photos tonight.  Downloaded some that Lynn had sent me more than 10 days ago.  Plus more from my camera.   I'm still in awe of the energy and creativity that filled the Kerrytown Concert House for those 3 fun-filled days with the Whipples.

  

 

Wish I had remembered to take pics at the trunk show and during the few days that the middle section of FOUND was filled with Lynn and John's art - it was too much fun!  Art Fairs are in the past for another year.  Storms closed it down early 2 days, but not before I had time to make a couple purchases!

What a great week we had: workshops with Lynn and John,  Ann Arbor Art Fairs, tons of people stopping by FOUND, Lemonade Days and Margarita nights.  Ahhhh...

Enjoy the rest of these summer days,

Mary
 

First day Whipple Workshop photos

The first of 3 Super Fun Mixed Media Workshops with Lynn and John Whipple was today.   I was planning to get some work done at the shop, but just couldn't resist when Lynn suggested I stay and play....

 

We tried lots of messy techniques - layers built up and wiped away.  More layers added.  Ouey, gooey.  Painting and drawing and smudging, oh my!  Lynn's  sewing machine was loaded with cheery red thread.  Zig-zaggy red thread!

   

 
  
Some of the people in the class are accomplished artists, but they stretched to learn something new, too.  That was encouraging for a novice like me. 

 

 

John kept telling us to be fearless...work fast and loose...

 
 

 

 

 
 
  

 

 

At one point I was almost ready to sneak out the door and mumble that I had something to do at FOUND...  but I kept adding more layers, then sanding them down and remembering that the process of exploring something new is more important than the actual product.   It's good for me to get out of the routine and leap without knowing where I'll land. 

 

In the end, I had lots of fun playing.  But I think I'll go back to being the finder at FOUND!

Happy regards,

Mary
   
 

Lynn & John Whipple Mixed Media Workshops start FRIDAY

In a couple days Lynn and John Whipple arrive to teach three days of SUPER FUN MIXED MEDIA WORKSHOPS! 

This will definately be one of the highlights of the year at FOUND - we just love these guys and know you will, too.  Lynn and John  mix things up in unanticipated ways.  I've been following Lynn's blog and looking forward to seeing what new things she'll bring for this year's Ann Arbor Street Art Fair.  And I just found John's blog today.   Always changing and keeping things fresh with new ideas and techniques! I love Lynns posts on embracing things you're not necessarily good at.  And learning new things, always. 

We're also looking forward to seeing what little treasures Lynn and John will bring to the Trunk Show at FOUND this Saturday night (before the art fair..).  That evening will be a fun chance to spend time with the artists before the bustle (and heat) of the fairs.  Hope you can join us this Saturday, July 17th between 6:30 and 9:00.  We're upstairs in the Kerrytown Market & Shops, 407 N. 5th Avenue.   Stop by and say hello!

Just saw that Lynn won best of show in Madison this weekend. We're in for a treat!  

Hope to see you this weekend!

  

questions?? contact the shop at 734.302.3060 or email me :  mary @ foundgallery.com (use a subject line, cause I've been inundated with spam lately). 

complete info and workshop registration on found website

Chihuly inspired blooms

These colorful blooms called "Delilahs" are a recent addition to the shop.  Although they appear to be made from glass, they are crafted from recycled plastic bottles!

 

The giant petals are hand painted and formed into multi-colored exotic varieties. 

These are from Green Art Studio.  Di St. Jacques-Blue sent them while I was traveling last month.   It's interesting that she sent them the same week that I was  at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London and took photos of an installation by famous comtemporary glass artist Dale Chihuly - Di had told me that his work  is the inspiration behind these recycled flowers.  Here's the piece I photographed:

This MASSIVE chandelier is suspended above the information desk as you enter the museum, in obvious contrast to the architecture of the building.  I needed to turn my camera to fit the whole thing in.  Here's a close up:

There's a interesting little article in the conservation section of the V&A website that shows how this is cleaned.  It was absolutely sparkling the day I visited.  Their cleaning method is quite effective! 

 

In looking up more about Dale Chihuly, I found several works that are in Michigan, including the one pictured above, at the University of Michigan Business School.  I need to go back and look for it!

 

And of special interest is a temporary exhibit called Chihuly: A New Eden, in Grand Rapids at the Frederik Meijers Gardens through September 30th.  This sculpture park is a treat any time, but I may need to take a drive north soon to see these installations.  Take a look at their website for details.  This amazing location just outside Grand Rapids, Michigan is one of the top spots I'd recommend for your "Pure Michigan" list...

 

Hope you're all having a great summer and taking time to see things in a new light!

 

Mary

 

 

 

 
 
 
 

 

Fun Finds! London and Ann Arbor

This morning I went to the Portobello Market in LONDON! !!

  But before I left Ann Arbor, we added a LOT of fun vintage merchandise to the mix....

wheels, wheels and more wheels!!!

lamp part to make things from.  great found building materials for assemblage!

wood spindles that can be combined with antique tart tins to make little candle stands for votive candles.  fun for outdoor parties or anytime..  Katina made these by just using one little nail to attach them.  we ordered nice quality votives in 4 differnt colors.  aren't these fun?

post a comment below to enter to win a FREE candle holder and candle!!!

happy regards,

Mary