Time for a LOTS OF POTS Sale at Found!
Need one pot?         Get 10% off
2 planters or pots   20% off both
3 planters or pots   30% off all three
Need 4 or more? 40% off all of them!

By Katy Trame, Team Found.

The owner of Found has memories of planting trees on Arbor Day as a child and of her Grandpa Berg grafting a tree in their backyard with five different kinds of apples -  on one tree! With Arbor Day approaching, living in a place nicknamed “Tree Town'', and that memory from Mary, got us thinking about the origins of Ann Arbor and this annual celebration.  

Back in January of 1824, John Allen and Elisha Walker Rumsey founded what we know as Ann Arbor. Figuring out a name for what would eventually become a beautiful college campus and one of the best cities, they took to love and nature for inspiration. Coincidentally, both of their wives names were Ann, so naturally they had to pay homage to that, bringing us the “Ann” of “Ann Arbor.” To this day, Ann Arbor lives up to its name, with the nickname of “Tree Town” given to the city.

One of the most loved parts about Ann Arbor is all of the lovely parks and nature that surround the city. One can go for a walk through Kerrytown to shop, then shortly after go to the river and feel isolated from the city. Some of the best activities to do in Ann Arbor have to do with getting closer to the trees, like walking through the Arb or going through a bike trail.

It’s no surprise that Arbor Day would be loved and celebrated here. Arbor Day, much like Earth day, celebrates nature. It’s purpose is to encourage people to plant trees, and traditionally many communities and schools get involved in this to organize tree planting, often to honor the memory of a loved one. The city of Ann Arbor is celebrating Arbor Day this year by giving away free trees to residents to plant on private property from April 30 to May 2. There was such high demand that all of this year’s trees are spoken for, but it’s the perfect weekend to visit a local nursery and find a new tree for your yard. Find more ways to celebrate Arbor Day at www.arborday.org.

April 28, 2021.

Through a springtime mix of Michigan weather that included sun, rain, sleet,and even some snow, colorful, happy blooms appeared at Found! As part of Ann Arbor's annual FoolMoon celebration in early April, we chose a garden theme that brought smiles to those who visited the area all month long. Our featured artists were Olivia Guterson @midnightolive, and our very own Fiona Thursby and Michael Smothers.

If you aren't familiar with with "FoolMoon", it's a light-filled event on a Friday near April Fools day, organized by a local arts non-profit called WonderFool Productions. Next year, we hope the companion FestiFools event returns. Read all about these two events and Ypsilanti's YpsiGlow, and photos on the WonderFool website.

As we prepared for FoolMoon, photographer Leisa Thompson documented it with the photos I'm sharing below:

Olivia at Midnight Olive created three huge luminescent window murals that will be up through late May. We were thrilled that she decided to work with us this year. I've always felt that the energy of the artists we work with contributes to the energy in the shop, and the positivity and calm that Olivia carries with her is inspiring. Her sweet, little curious baby was an added delight on installation day.

Another aspect of Olivia's installation were fourteen handcrafted Lumenality Studio  lanterns, created in collaboration with @Laura_Earl_Design. Stop by to see the ones we still have for sale. Inspired by the intersection of curiosity and hope, these lanterns and glowing patterns are an invitation to experience the presence of light as a source of inspiration, peace, and wonder. 

We all LOVED the design that Fiona Thursby came up with for a special sidewalk mural outside our windows. Inspired by the Kerrytown Market & Shops logo, she used bold colored sidewalk chalk to add these happy blooms!

We learned from Jen at Unicorn Feed & Supply in Ypsilanti, that brushing MILK over sidewalk chalk makes it hold up to rain (and snow). She was right!  Fiona started testing it out right before a huge downpour. And worked though all kinds of weather to complete this large scale work of "street art". All month long, folks have using it as a photo backdrop!

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A Moon Garden in the Kerrytown Courtyard was filled with giant blooms and lighted mushrooms, crafted by Michael Smothers of Found. He's been creating whimsical luminaries for several years and this year went all out!

On FoolMoon night, illumination and black lights made it extra special.

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Thanks to all the folks at WonderFool Productions for giving us the opportunity to be a part of this extraordinary, light-filled community event!

WonderFool Productions' Jennifer Goulet and Found owner Mary Cambruzzi  welcome Tom Daldin and Jim Edelman of Under the Radar Michigan to discuss Ann Arbor's FoolMoon 2021 celebration planned for April 9th.

In normal times, our annual Holiday Open House, plus Midnight Madness/ Kerrytown KindleFest, drew large crowds of festive shoppers enjoying the merriment of the season. Not advisable this year.... so instead of those two big crazy days of holiday savings, we offer this special 20% off "Make Your Own Sale Day" coupon to use any one day of your choice this month, in person or online...

Article Excerpt:

We’re navigating through it.”

Those were the first words from Mary Cambruzzi after we hadn’t spoken in a few months – unprecedented months for retail in Michigan. FOUND was set to be the April Retailer magazine’s “In Her Own Words” feature. And then retail shut down.

FOUND opened 15 years ago in the Kerrytown district of Ann Arbor. When you visit you’ll find an array of hand-chosen gifts selected by store owner Mary Cambruzzi. She constantly hunts for items that have character and tell a story. Pre-pandemic, it was a store that thrived on people touching the fabric of a pillow or picking up a piece of pottery. Once COVID hit, she had to adapt quickly and often.

Read The Full Article

Join our customer-focused team!

Seeking Assistant Manager with relevant retail sales experience, and a passion for organization and operations. Also, hiring Holiday Sales Associates to begin in October.

If YOU are interested in becoming part of Team Found or know a great prospect, read on for details...

This recipe for Lemon Avocado Toast with Quick Pickled Onions comes from our friend over at Annie's Kitchen. This Found tested recipe is a staple in Michael's kitchen, the pickled onions are great on almost everything!