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

Next week, we'll all flip our calendars to the November page.  At FOUND, that means we shift into holiday mode.  We've been working behind the scenes for months gathering and prepping great holiday finds. We'll be closed the last two days of October to hang sleds and snowflakes from the ceiling and transform every inch of the shop. On November 1st, we'll reopen as a holiday wonderland!   Here are dates to mark on your calendars:   Oct. 30 and Halloween - CLOSED   Thursday, Nov. 1 thru Sunday, Nov. 4 - first look at 2012 collection & gift with purchase!    Sunday, November 11 - Kerrytown Open House - storewide sales!   Friday, November 16, 5:00-8:00 p.m. - let us help you decorate your wreaths (& sleds) in this free evening demo, with our favorite Melrose rep, Cyndi Valerio.   Friday, November 30 - Midnight MADNESS & KindleFest - an Ann Arbor tradition!   Friday, December 7 - Festive Friday. Open til 9 p.m.  Fresh trees, greens & Gift Market outside, caroling, santa and more.   I'll send more information on each of these as the time gets closer.  Right now it just seems too early to write (or think) about Christmas, but we hope you'll mark your calendars and watch for details later. Continue reading

This Thursday evening, FOUND is hosting a jewelry making workshop.  This is what we're making: But the beauty of this 3 hour class is that the techniques can easily be applied to other projects!  More info and registration in our foundgallery workshop tab.  Thursday, Oct. 18, 6:15. $38, includes all materials       Continue reading

Here's the recipe for the yummy pumpkin bars I made for our Autumn Open House.  My mom has been making this recipe for family gatherings for years.  thanks Mom! Beat together 1 c. oil, 4 eggs, 1  2/3 c. sugar, 1  15 oz can pumpkin until light and fluffy. Add 2 c. flour, 2 t. baking powder, 1 t. baking soda, 1 t. salt, 1  1/2 t. cinnamon.  Mix thoroughly.  Spread batter into greased 15x10x1 inch pan.  Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes.  Cool.  Frost with cream cheese icing. Cream Cheese icing:  Cream together 3 oz softened cream cheese, 1/2 c. softened butter.  Stir in 1 t. vanilla.  Add  2 c. powdered sugar, a little at a time, beating well, til mixture is smooth. A wonderful autumn treat! Continue reading

Come to FOUND on Sunday, October 7th for Cider & Pumpkin Treats!   At the Open House, you'll get a little Halloween ornament with purchase.  There will be special savings on all Fall decor.  And you can enter to win a gift basket filled with Halloween goodies!  As the autumn leaves begin to fall, FOUND is filled with whimsical halloween decorations, harvest colored wreaths, pumpkin & spiced apple scented candles and potpourri, felted wool jacket pins, owls of many varieties, Urban Ashes frames, art from antique tin, jewelry from Michigan artists and so much more!         Don't forget that our Annual Old Stuff Sale continues through Oct. 29th.  30% off all vintage and antique merchandise in stock.   Hope to see you soon!   . Continue reading

I can't take my mind off fairies lately. There are many kinds of fairies, including woodland fairies, flower fairies and tree fairies.  Probably the most famous fairy is Tinkerbell. What has intrigued me lately are Urban Fairies. I've been checking out the Urban Fairies website and consulting with Jonathan Wright, an expert fairyologist (located in Ann Arbor, but consulted by the media worldwide) hoping to understand some odd additions to the bay window at my shop. We're both puzzled.  It appears that fairies are creating what will be a workshop or garage or headquarters or something.... What is strange is that while there is a little door in front, this project is HUGE and has what look like BIG barn or garage doors on the end. Fairies usually don't like big or exposed areas, preferring to protect their privacy... I've been aware of the presence of fairies in Kerrytown since I opened seven years ago. Some live in the clock bell tower and can be seen  flittering around the clock face if I leave the building late at night. I've seen evidence that they like to explore  at FOUND when no one is there - so sometimes I leave little trinkets for them in a jar by my desk. Here are a few photos. Who knows what's next??? Above: looks like a fairy door.   Below: does NOT look like a fairy door...   Below below: some stuff they left in the window.     So, what's going on???  I'll keep you posted, but in the meantime, let me know if you have any ideas. p.s. there is one vehicle associated with an urban fairy that uses an alternative fuel - Vernors     Continue reading

  Sweet little button flowers in our bud vases from upcycled silverware make a perfect Springtime pairing!  Emily has been busy at FOUND making lots of these colorful button bouquets for Mother's Day.  It's an easy project - just thread thin guage foral wire through the button holes, then hold the flower "head" while you twist the wire tight. If desired wire several together and add ribbon leaves for a vintage bouquet.  It's a great project to do with kids.  Small vintage bottles make great vases, too. You'll find charming Mom's Day cards at FOUND (handmade in Ann Arbor) that incorporate vintage story book images.  What Mom wouldn't love these?     This week, all  jewelry and candles are 10% off at FOUND. And  Saturday morning (May 12), we'll have a drop in button flower making session for kids between 10 a.m. and noon.  We'll help them make a couple flowers and wrap them up for Mommy or Grandma.  Happy Mother's Day from FOUND!     Continue reading

Earth Day 2012 is April 22nd.  FOUND has a special eco-funky art show planned for that entire weekend.  We believe artists who use recycled materials are doin' their part to save the earth.  Here's a quick preview of our poster! I'm really excited to be featuring these 6 artists - all of them use recycled, found or vintage materials in ways that make me very happy!  Watch this space for details about the artists and what they're bringing.     Continue reading