FOUND - whimsical art, vintage treasures, fun finds!

pictures of recent vintage finds

Here's more vintage things we've recently added to the shop.  Great supplies for your handmade projects. 

 

 

 

More later! 

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
 
 
 
 
 
 

Lynn & John Whipple Mixed Media Workshops in July!

 

photos courtesy Lynn Whipple

We're thrilled to announce that Lynn and John Whipple will be coming to Ann Arbor in July to teach three days of SUPER FUN MIXED MEDIA WORKSHOPS!  Over the years, these Florida artists have stopped by after the Ann Arbor Art Fair to shop for vintage (and sometimes rusty) treasures.  This year Lynn and John will be at FOUND the weekend before the art fairs showing us a whole new way to make art and play with found objects and images.

Featured in galleries and fairs throughout the country, the Whipples often exhibit side-by-side, but have very distinctive styles.  Even if you don't instantly recognize the names, if you've wandered the Ann Arbor art fairs in recent years, you'll recognize their work.  Here's a peak at their artist profiles on this year's Original Ann Arbor Art Fair website:  Lynn Whipple / John whipple.  Creative interpretation of ideas and alternate use of materials is inherent in the collage, sculpture and paintings they create.  Here's the link to Lynn's website: www.lynnwhipple.com . check it out!

The classes:

Friday, July 16.  2-D Collage and Altered Found Images.  An exciting day of exploring collage!  Alter found images with a combination of drawing, painting, sewing and more.  Lynn's overall philosophy of freedom, play, exploration and FUN makes this class perfect for seasoned artists as well as beginners.   Register here for Friday's workshop.

Saturday, July 17.  Working with alternative materials.  Lynn & John LOVE to experiement with unconventional materials, finding that so many ideas come from venturing to unfamiliar playgrounds.  8 1/2 x 11" wood panels will be dramatically altered using, among other things, their "secret surface making materials".  This workshop is designed to allow students to work in fresh ways with materials, opening up new ways to create while learning techniques for use in mixed media and assemblage projects.  Register here for Saturday's workshop.

Sunday, July 18.  Working outside the box - inside a box!  In Sunday's class, you'll explore ways to combine collages with found objects and alternative surfaces in the box format. This class offers great ways to add dimension to your collages and build new ways to work with assemblage, as you create within a found box such as a cigar box, doll suitcase or small drawer.  Register here for Sunday's workshop.


All classes will be held from 10 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. at the Kerrytown Concert House (across the street from FOUND).  The cost per workshop is $150, with registration through our website or at the shop during regular business hours. 

If you have friends who might not be on our email list, but would LOVE to take a class with Lynn or John Whipple, please pass this post on the them.  Thanks a bunch!


Happy regards,
Mary @ FOUND

 
 

photos from earlier workshops, gettin' messy with Lynn!  
 

Busy May

Registration begins tonight for the workshops that Lynn Whipple and John Whipple are doing this summer.  We expect them to fill up quickly.  We are SUPER excited to have them coming - read the previous post for information - registration is through the FOUND website.

I've spent some time away from the shop lately, trying to get a little sunshine, some  inspiration and planning for the coming year. For me, getting in the car and driving  clears my head and helps me plan, so on Mother's day I headed to Illinois to plant flowers with my mom.  The color green in springtime has the most amazing variety of shades.  So fresh...the perfect setting for hatching fresh ideas.

 
 
Stopped in Chicago and went to the Matisse exhibit at The Art Institute with Laura.  We also spent some time wandering through the new modern wing, then over the connecting walkway to Millenium Park.  It's great to have a daughter in my favorite city! 

This was the back of my van when I returned earlier this month.  It took some elbow grease and time getting these things and stuff from the basement prepped and in to the shop last week.

 

Those are shutters with heart-shaped cutouts and a "as found" wicker doll carriage.  I think it would be cute overflowing with flowers.   The blue metal lawn chair is a good heavy vintage one.  I picked up two of them. 

I have 11 boxes of old bottles and tins, some of which made their way in to the shop last week.  All sizes and shapes.  When I opened a small Evening in Paris bottle, the scent immediately took me back to when I was 6 years old and my mom was getting dressed up to go out with Dad... 

Old product names amuse me.  The Dogzoff bottle has a comical illustration.  I like the simple typography on this old unopened can of Ant Food.  

We added more buttons to the stash at the shop last week.

 

Last night I returned from another trip to Chicago - this time for the Seniors Honors Gala at DePaul for my favorite daughter.  It's good to take some time off and celebrate life's accomplishments. 

No buying on this trip.  Laura and I packed lots of city fun into 36 hours!   But I did hit an interesting estate sale before I left Ann Arbor Saturday morning.  Photos of that later....

Regards,

Mary

Lynn & John Whipple Super Fun Workshops coming to FOUND!

Lynn Whipple photo

 

We're thrilled to announce that Lynn and John Whipple will be coming to Ann Arbor in July to teach three days of SUPER FUN MIXED MEDIA WORKSHOPS!  Over the years, these Florida artists have stopped by after the Ann Arbor Art Fair to shop for vintage (and sometimes rusty) treasures.  This year Lynn and John will be at FOUND the weekend before the art fairs showing us a whole new way to make art and play with found objects and images.

Featured in galleries and fairs throughout the country, the Whipples often exhibit side-by-side, but have very distinctive styles.  Even if you don't instantly recognize the names, if you've wandered the Ann Arbor art fairs in recent years, you'll recognize their work.  Here's a peak at their artist profiles on this year's Original Ann Arbor Art Fair website:  Lynn Whipple / John whipple. Creative interpretation of ideas and alternate use of materials is inherent in the collage, sculpture and paintings they create.

Here's what will be offered:

Friday, July 16.  2-D Collage and Altered Found Images.  An exciting day of exploring collage!  Alter found images with a combination of drawing, painting, sewing and more.  Lynn's overall philosophy of freedom, play, exploration and FUN makes this class perfect for seasoned artists as well as beginners. 

Saturday, July 17.  Working with alternative materials.  Lynn & John LOVE to experiement with unconventional materials, finding that so many ideas come from venturing to unfamiliar playgrounds.  8 1/2 x 11" wood panels will be dramatically altered using, among other things, their "secret surface making materials".  This workshop is designed to allow students to work in fresh ways with materials, opening up new ways to create while learning techniques for use in mixed media and assemblage projects.

Sunday, July 18.  Working outside the box - inside a box!  In Sunday's class, you'll explore ways to combine collages with found objects and alternative surfaces in the box format. This class offers great ways to add dimension to your collages and build new ways to work with assemblage, as you create within a found box such as a cigar box, doll suitcase or small drawer.


All classes will be held from 10 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. at the Kerrytown Concert House (across the street from FOUND).  The cost per workshop is $150, with registration through our foundgallerywebsite. . 

If you have friends who might not be on our email list, but would LOVE to take a class with Lynn or John Whipple, please pass this email on to them.  Thanks a bunch!


Happy regards,
Mary @ FOUND

 Here's the link to Lynn's website: www.lynnwhipple.com . check it out!

Mom's Day Button Bouquet Make-n-Take. Saturday 12-2.

 

Mother's Day is just around the corner.  Here's a fun gift  kids can create for Mom or Grandma at a "Make-n-Take" session May 7th.

Drop in this Saturday between noon to 2:00 at the back table in the shop to make a bouquet of five sweet flowers from vintage buttons.  The cost is just $3 to cover materials.  And we'll provide a gift box, so it's all ready for giving!   

Here are some other things that Mom might like:

 

Little pocket mirrors (made in Ann Arbor) and fabric covered pins at just $7.50 and $2.50, respectively, are priced to fit a child's allowance.

 

Wonderful soldered pendants and book marks by Nieka just arrived this week.  Check them out!

 

Mini domino earrings.  Choose you favorite number combinations - perhaps the kids' ages?

 

How about an Archipelago Soy Milk Gift Set?  This lotion has been a FOUND favorite for the past 4 years.  Moms like soft skin. 

 

These 100% pure soy candles from Green Daffodil in Ferndale are amazing.  I'm burning the tangerine one as I write.  Lavender, patchouli clovebud, cucumber melon and lemon verbena are just a few of the natural scents we carry. 

 

And of course, our bud vases made from a knife handle and spoon are perfect for lily of the valley, a tea rose, dandelion or even a button bouquet!

Other ideas for Mom: 

Fork art angel, vintage cake stand, pendant or ring made with Patera findings, Burlap Boutique shoulder bag, candles shaped like asparagus or pea pods or paint brushes, a card you make yourself, pretty vintage plate... and of course, what Mom really wants is for her kids to love each other the way a family should. 

Happy Mother's Day! 

Mary
 

5th Anniversary Sale this weekend @ FOUND

 

 It was five years ago - May of 2005 - that FOUND opened it's doors.  We're starting May 2010 with a 2-day sale to celebrate!

We'll be open Saturday, May 1st from 9:00 til 6:00.   While Obama and our graduates will be at the Big House on Saturday morning, we'll be in Kerrytown kicking off a month of celebrations. We have a feeling that this side of town will be very easy to navigate between 9:00 (when everyone has to be in the gates of Michigan Stadium for security clearance) and around 1:30 when graduation is expected to end.  By then, you'll aready have a good parking spot in Kerrytown!  Sunday we'll open at 11:00 and be here until 5:00.   Parking is free on Sunday and the neighborhood is a great place for a relaxing day.

What's on sale?  EVERYTHING!  10-40% off for 2 days only

30% off all Patera jewelry making supplies

10% off all fork art and a few newer handcrafted items by local artists: fork art, Burlap Boutique bags from recycled coffee bags, perky Celibeth! purses from menswear ties and framed Ann Arbor prints from Katherine Larson.

At least 20% everything else in the store  (and that's a lot right now - new, vintage and new stuff made from old...)

Free soy milk lip balm or travel lotion with any $20 Archipelago purchase

40% off select items with a 2 day "Yellow Dot"

 

We have a fresh supply of Patera pendant frames and great rings to put your own photos or artwork in - we usually use the gel du soleil quick cure resin in them, but our customers have all kinds of adaptation.  Someone who plans to fill them with colorful felted wool was in this week.  At 30% off for these 2 days, it's a great time to stock up for future projects. 

 
Celibeth! tie bags, made in Ann Arbor - perfect for a night out - just sling it over your shoulder with your cell phone and a few little necessities.  If you want to get up and dance, it won't weigh you down or get lost.

A more utilitarian tote, made in Michigan out of recycled coffee sacks will even hold your laptop!  We have about a dozen Burlap Boutique bags right now.  They make great graduation gifts for your eco-conscious friends.  The long handle on this one is a man's belt and the lining is remnant.  It features lots of pockets to keep organized.

 

Have you seen these tapers shaped like paintbrushes yet?  Perfect for your next arty party or as a gift for your favorite artist friend.

 

A fresh batch of bottlecap necklaces from Jen Roder came in last week.  Most of them are from beer caps, but these Izzy soda caps are extra cute.

 

These earrings remind me of Life Saver candy, but they are really made from the neck of an old wine bottle. 
 

I have lots more to show, but I'll save some of it for another day.  I'm updating the website and Jenny Murray is taking pictures for it.  I cropped some of them for this post.  Thanks Jenny!

Regards,

Mary

oh, and a quick reminder:  check out the post directly below this  for info on our month long photo contest -show us what you've done with something you purchased at FOUND and you'll be entered for a chance to win a $50 FOUND gift card and a bucket of junk.

and another contest for those who come into the shop during May:  Come into FOUND this weekend or thoughout May for a chance to win a $50 gift card (must join our email list or be a fan on facebook by the time the drawing is held to win)

Contest! What have you done with your FOUND finds???

 

Now is your chance to win a $50 gift card by showing us what you created with your vintage finds from FOUND. 

For 5 years creative people have been walking though our doors and carrying home an odd assortment of vintage "treasures".   I get a big kick out of knowing that I can bring in dozens of clock parts or rusty old springs or faucet handles or creepy antique doll heads or tattered books...just because I think they're neat...and someone who has an "upcycling" idea will come up the stairs and buy them.  What do you guys DO with this stuff??? 

Thoughout May, we're having a contest and we hope you'll submit photos of things you've done with the vintage stuff you've found at FOUND during the past 5 years.  

The grand prize will be a $50 gift card, plus a bucket of junk (uhh, good stuff) to make more things out of.  To unscientifically determine the winner, my favorite employees and I will narrow all the entries down to 10 finalists, then randomly select the winner by drawing a name from those 10 out of an old blue mason jar.  The other 9 finalists will each get a $5 gift card and some cool vintage do-dads.

All entries must contain:  1.) photo   2) a short description of your creation or unique re-use of something you bought here 3) your name and how to contact you if you win

Submit your entry in one of 5 ways:   It's easy!   1) email it to me :  mary@ foundgallery.com  2) use the comment section below, including a link to your photo 3)  write on our Facebook fan page wall www.facebook.com/foundgallery    4)  come on over to Kerrytown and give it to us   5)  mail your submission to FOUND, 407 N. 5th Ave, Ann Arbor, MI  48104

Some of you have bought a lot of strange stuff here over the years and we're really curious about what you did with it, so we'll allow up to 5 entries per person. 

By entering, you agree to let us share your photos.   Even if you work for FOUND, you can enter (but you can't be a judge if you are in the contest).  Contest ends May 31st.  Winner announced shortly thereafter on this blog.  Need not be present to win.

Let the contest begin!

Mary

p.s.  if the stuff you were going to make something out of is still in a pile in your studio or garage, get crackin' and make something NOW, so you can maybe win!

Clockworks

I can't believe it's been over 2 weeks since I updated.  Life gets busy...and this little pink Baby Ben just keeps on tickin' (if I remember to wind it up).  Found this and the 2 vintage hand vases last month in Illinois.  

Another fun find from the Gridley Community Sale the day before Easter was a huge stash of old clock parts.  I initially thought people would take these clockworks  apart to make jewelry, but my creative customers have lots of wild ideas for them.  Words like steampunk and robot have been heard from the corner of the shop where we put them out...

 

We have dozens to choose from.  And a big box of these metal coils that are just waiting to be grouped on a wall or turned into garden art...

A big sigh of relief heard 'round town as tax day draws to an end and the line at the post office clears.  With that weight off your shoulders, hope you get out and patronize your favorite local, independently owned establishments this fine April weekend! 

Regards,

Mary

 
 
 

(Win a Bunny) Hoppin' down the bunny trail...

I've spent the last couple days at Mom's house.  We've been finding some fun things for FOUND in the shops around the area where I grew up.  Meanwhile, back at the shop, our displays have decorator bunnies and nests and eggs mixed in with the vintage and handmade finds. 

Where I "came from" and what happens at FOUND seem to be intertwined.  In my head at this moment, I can hear Mom playing the organ "Here comes Peter Cottontail..." and kid voices singing, "hoppin' down the bunny trail...hippity...hoppity...Easter's on it's way". 

Lots of songs of my childhood find their way through the grey matter of my brain.  As I write, I can picture me with my sisters  in our straight with a roll of curl at the bottom hairdos and our Easter Sunday hats with the stretchy elastic strings to hold them on... "in your Easter bonnet with all the frills upon it..", we felt like "...the grandest lady in the Easter parade".  on the avenue...5th Avenue...the photographers will snap us.....  and a la, de da, de da, de da... sometimes I forget all the words. 

My dad was a la dee da kind of singer and sometime he wore a yellow jacket.  When I was looking through catalogs to order some bunnies for FOUND, I was immediatelydrawn to this bunny in the yellow jacket.  The company names their bunnies.  I looked at the reference sheet to order him.  This one was named Harold.  My dad's name was Harold!  He wore a yellow jacket.  And Mom signs all her cards to us with bunnies... I smile with a tear in my eye as I write this, remembering what a nice, fun guy dad was.  Fortunate that my childhood was filled with happy times and a dad who sang even though he didn't know the words (and kinda off key).

If you have songs of the past in your head, post a comment below.  I'll randomly select one name to win the bunny with the musical cone pictured above. (Comments of just a couple words are fine... if you can't see the comment section, click on the little blue "comments" tab under my name below.  I select a winner at random on Tuesday 3/30)

Here's to lookin' over a four leaf clover...

Mary