Went on a quick vintage buying trip for FOUND at the end of February.  Then March came in like the proverbial lion - with plenty of snow and ice in Ann Arbor.  Today was a sunshiny day, nice and cozy by the windows.  Cozy like this furry little mohair cub at the shop. We've been busy adding lots of older things to FOUND lately.  Here are some of my favorite finds.  The outfit on this vintage doll looks like she was a working girl or traveling in style - with her wool tweed jacket and felted hat, and red shoes to compliment the ensemble!  But she got pretty dirty along the way - wonder what adventures she had and where she's been.  Her owner clearly didn't leave her sitting on a shelf. Here's a little purse she may have carried - or it could have been carried by the little girl that owned her.  It's fun to hang little coin purses in a grouping on the wall - or incorporate them into artful assemblages.  I don't mind that they are a bit rusty.  Do you? These antique baby dolls definitely have "condition problems" - peeling skin, crazed composition, crazy hair, discoloration - but there's something about seeing them up on the shelf that makes me smile, knowing each was once some little girl's special dolly. I found this bright eyed bisque doll and a bunch of odd doll parts, like extra legs and arms that could be used in projects.   Some antique dolls have glass eyes that are haunting.  This doll is composed of a variety of materials, with straw filled arms and legs that are disintegrating.... Tiddledy Winks? Tiddley Winks? Whatever you call it, the image on this box is wonderful.  And it come with bakelite "winks". Other children's finds include a few trucks, doll suitcase, lots of lead soldiers, a group of mohair puppets, some antique ABC blocks and more.  Stop in soon to see what we've found!   Continue reading

You can find plenty of vintage Valentine's gifts and goodies at FOUND in Ann Arbor this week.  I especially love the sweet images on vintage valentine cards circa 1930's and early 1940's: Laurie from Stories & Divinations brought in a wonderful selection handcrafted valentine.   We have a half dozen new styles of valentine cards from her this year. Love the one signing L-O-V-E! I love it when we have little gifties that are made right here in Ann Arbor - like these hand-stitched hearts made with vintage felted blanket wool.  Great to attach to a package with a little present for your sweetheart on February 14th! I always look for old skeleton keys.  They are getting harder to find these days.... but I found some!  Just in time for Valentine's Day. Tie a key to your heart with a red ribbon to a handwritten love  note.... A mother and daughter bought spoon rings at FOUND and texted this photo - what a great Valentine's gift idea! Spell out messages with scrabble letters - who wouldn't love to be greeted by this at breakfast? The last few weeks, we've been restocking the shop and have lots of great jewelry and gifts for your sweetie.  Our fresh batch of cashmere scarves made from recycled sweaters will keep your valentine cozy and warm.  Another thing I especially like are the stamp sets with hearts - great for making your own cards or decorating gift wrap any time of year.  Our new order of red sealing wax and heart shaped stamps arrived in time for Valentines Day, too. When I was in Illinois last month, the owner of the Fairbury Antique Mall gave me the valentine postcard above.  She'd set it aside, knowing  that I would appreciate it.  I do!  That sweet gesture reminded me that valentine's day is a great time to pass around the love with little unexpected surprises. Happy Valentine's Day to all of you from FOUND!         Continue reading

After a  relatively mild December in Michigan,  the last few days have turned Ann Arbor into a snow covered winter wonderland.  2012  is ticking away and we're getting ready to welcome a fresh new year! If you're in the area this weekend, all remaining Christmas things are 50% off AND Merry Multiples continues through the end of the year.  We still have snowflakes and Sally Jean candy cane necklaces, some monkey and cardinal ornaments, and even a few candy canes (with 2014 expiration dates).   Our hours during New Years week are:  Saturday 9-6.  Sunday 11-6.  New Years Eve 10-3.  CLOSED Tuesday for New Year's Day.  Starting Wednesday, Jan. 2,  we return to our regular winter hours:  10-6 weekdays, Saturday 9-6. Sundays noon-5.  Click on this link to see a wonderful little thank you from FOUND that Charlene Plagens put together - our heartfelt thanks for a wonderful season.  FOUND 2012 thanks   (note: this will connect to our facebook page - I'm working on how to upload it into the blog).   Continue reading

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Candy Canes & Christmas just go together!  Not only are candy canes yummy, those bright striped colors  just make me smile.  Artist Sally Jean captured the joy of candy canes with her "candy cane fairyette" pendant: Hammond Candy Company in Denver has been making candy canes the old fashioned way for generations.  My personal favorites are the chocolate-filled peppermint canes.  This year we have pomagranate as well.  Tuck a candy cane into a little stocking or felt ice skate for a cute little gift!  Peppermint soy candles with lip balm - made in Michigan. The candy cane red and white stipe motif is repeated on many Christmas decorations. Little red & white striped cones to tuck something into.  And striped gift bags to hold some mulling spices. Enjoy the candy cane season while it lasts! Continue reading

  By now most you know that the front window at FOUND has been taken over by Urban Fairies who have turned it into their late night workshop (and garage).  Sometimes there is evidence that they have been pilfering supplies from FOUND - we don't scold them (cause they wouldn't listen anyway).  And besides, we kinda like that they like to hang around the shop at night when we're gone.  Sometimes weeks go by without any activity, but then there will be a flurry!  ***THIS week they decorated for the holidays and seem to be making jewelry or something.  Here's the evidence: In addition to what's inside the fairy door, there seems to be plenty of fairy dust in the windowsill.  hmmm.... This Friday, Dec. 21, we'll be open til 9 p.m.  for your shopping convenience.   We'll have cookies and a few (Fairy) Door Prizes.  Perhaps some fairies will be at their workshop that night.  You never know....   Continue reading

So far this December, we've only gotten a few flakes of snow in Ann Arbor.  Today was damp and 42 degrees.  Though it's not in the forecast, I wouldn't mind a bit of snow before Christmas.  In the meantime, we have snowflakes at FOUND. Snowball garland and 3-D snowflakes fill the back window. Another group of snowflakes is wrapped fibers and go well with soft neutrals and brushed metal. Deets (the Ann Arbor artist who makes our vacuum tube robots) made "Snowbots" with handmade scarves this year.  These ornaments remind me of old snowglobes. I don't remember when the last time I held an old snowglobe.  The tiny scenes in them were pretty magical - I think I'll try to find some for next year at the shop.  In the meantime, the memory of the softly falling snow in an antique globe can fill my head as I drift off to sleep.             Continue reading

  A quick way to decorate for the holidays is to add some seasonal pillows to the couch and pillar candles to the coffee table!  These washable cotton styles from White Line by Kriss LeCocq are some of our favorites.  They feature simple graphics announcing PEACE, SKI, merry and Brrr.   The felted pillows with stitched snowflakes and a bright red button closure on the back are another direction to go with pillows.  Mix them in with other felted or textured solid color pillows.    Hope you have cozy, comfy time during this busy time of year!           Continue reading

  Lots of people decorate miniature trees with tiny little ornaments.  We found many styles that work on a small Christmas tree (or as little gift tie-ons).  You could make little ornaments with bottle caps and a holiday pictue, or purchase the ones we have at FOUND! Mini sheep look great on this new "feather tree" that is available at FOUND.  In Victorian times, small Christmas trees were handcrafted using actual bird feathers, usually goose feathers.  I once found a blue antique feather trees - each feather had been dyed.  Speaking of miniatures - wouldn't this 1930's vintage doll house be fun to decorate for the holidays?  We have 2 nice wooden doll houses at FOUND right now if you're in the market to buy a house... I wonder if urban fairies might take up residence in a doll house... don't think so, but we do know that urban fairies HAVE set up a workshop and garage in the front window at FOUND.  And it's on the latest version of official Fairy Doors of Ann Arbor poster.  Have a good week.  And don't forget to look around for tiny things that bring a smile to your face!     . Continue reading

It's been a busy week at FOUND.  Lots of candles for Thanksgiving are going out the door.  But many people are thinking ahead and getting holiday gifts and decorations.  Our selection is terrific right now, so it's a good time to shop. We will be closed for Turkey Day, and like most small businesses will have sane hours on Black Friday - 9:00 a.m til 7:00 p.m.  We'll be giving away our new FOUND tote bags with a $40 purchase that day.  These are nice big bags that you'll want to use over and over again. On Small Business Saturday, we hope you'll visit us, as well as our locally owned neighbors! We're loving the nature ornaments we found this year - especially the sweater birds and birds with hats!   Continue reading