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

This week the shop looks entirely different than it did 7 days ago!  Here's a bit of what we've done: Elves and gnomes posing throughout the shop.  This one likes to play with jewelry, another has a favorite toy train, while others play with owls and birds in the woodland section. 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've been traveling a lot the last couple months -  the transportation options illustrated on the antique child's easel are sweet images, but I'm thankful for modern air travel and my trusty van.  Between trips, we changed things up at FOUND, filling the shop with Fall colors.  Though I love summer, the Autumn palette is probably my favorite. Just a simple touch of orange or yellow can add a happy note to a room.  Like these fun striped balls or the yarn wrapped "candy corn" trees above. Just in is the new collection of tagua nut jewelry in fabulous fall shades. The texture of burlap works well as an Autumn accent.  How do you like this doorknob flower with burlap petals?  Now there's an idea for a fun fall project.  We have nice burlap runners and ribbons in stock.  They transition well into the holidays with a rustic theme.  Check out our latest selection of the Burlap Boutique bags made from recycled coffee bags. These metal birds are a great accent year round: Need some old bailing wire for a project?  We have some - wrapped around the barrel above.  Gotta look closely to see what we have for sale! There is more that I wanted to show in this post, but I just realized I didn't take photos of the fall decorative candles or potpourri or Halloween things before I left town this time....  I'll need to get my camera out when I return to Ann Arbor later this week.  I'm bringing back some interesting vintage treasures, too.         . Continue reading