We're Getting Ready For First Friday!

We all keep our inventory in our basements, garages and some have rented storage.  So before the big event we drag it all out, clean it and price it etc.  This is what my house looks like before First Friday.  It's a little unnerving to some (like my husband, the neat freak, but he's such a good sport) and to think it was just clean the day before!

Linda and I started rearranging the store a day early, by the looks of our inventory you can see what our favorite season is for decorating the home!  Well, looking back we did fill a barn last year!  So this time we'll just save enough to keep it fresh and bring newness to the shop every single day!

Who are those masked men???  Just a peek at the fun to come!

It isn't the big pleasures that count the most:  it's the making a great deal out of the little ones.  

                                                                                                                             -JEAN WEBSTER

NewHomes Magazine

I've been holding this in for so long, and can finally breath this exciting news....  NewHomes magazine, a bimonthly publication has asked us to write for them!   Every month we'll be giving out a few of our inner-most thoughts on interior design, home decor and green tips.  We are also working closely with the Habitat Re-Store,  they let us know what they have lots of, and we think of creative ways to use the items and offer classes on repurposing.  Plus they have a 20% off coupon in the magazine for the Re-Store.  

The Re-Store has lots of brass chandelier's and we are hosting a class on October 7th at 6:30 PM on how to update them.  The class is $12.00 per person, and advanced reservations are required.
There's still room!  Here is our contact information:

Char Swoveland

574-215-7812

Linda  Sherck

574-849-0275

528 E. Colfax Ave.

South Bend, IN  46617

You can pick up a copy of the magazine at the shop!

SEASONS

At junk Evolution we enjoy the season's as they arrive, not months in advance.  If you shop at some of the big box stores you're tired of Christmas before it even arrives.  No, we savor every color, sound and smell that mother nature offers.  Today we gathered bittersweet for October 1st, First Friday.  Our theme for the month happens to be Bittersweet.   The store will be dancing with a flurry of fun.   Beautiful dining sets and tablescapes,  Nature in all her glory, and maybe even a witch or two!   

We'll make it worth the wait for seasonal decor, so keep us in mind when you are looking for unique one of a kind items.

My husband and I took these pictures  a couple of years ago in Traverse City, MI.  One of our favorite weekend get-a-ways.

Live each season as it passes: breath the air,drink the drink, taste the fruit and resign yourself to the influences of each.

Henry David Thoreau

junk EVOLUTION Style

You know the saying, if you've got it, flaunt it?  Well, as designers and faux finish painters, we try to paint the furniture in unique and creative ways.  Seems like everyone is doing the black and white thing.  We do that as well, it just seems mundane in comparison. We work on each piece individually and try to create something original that may not go out of style quite as fast because of it's uniqueness.  We strive to create something that's as unique as you are, and you get an original piece of artwork in return.  Theses photo's are just a few examples of what we have created out of pieces labeled as junk.

We shape our dwellings, and afterwards our dwellings shape us.      -WINSTON CHURCHILL

Everyday Recycling

If you follow this blog, then you know I use lots of this for cleaning instead of harsh chemicals.  I really try to live as "green" as possible so if I can make something out of trash then it makes me very happy.  We lived on a small farmett for 15 years and had to feed a lot of hungry animals.  This is a great grain scoop for dog food, bird seed, chicken feed, horse feed etc

I marked a line under the handle for cutting.  

And there you have it, a large scooper.  You can trim it neatly with scissors.  I also have made some great Halloween masks by cutting the handle area out to fit a child's head, but leave the lid.  That's the nose.  I made the big bad wolf, and a pig etc.   Spray paint it a basic color, than use acrylic craft paints for all the details.  It's so much fun to create your own original costumes and the kids will love them for play time.  

Weekends

Out of all bad comes good.  Life doesn't always go the way we want it to so it's best to be flexible and just enjoy the ride, roll with the punches.

Linda and I were invited by the Urban Farmers Market on Bendix Drive,

to come and do some demonstration's and sell some of our smaller items.

The day started out overcast ...

but sweet! The red table cloth booth sells the best pastries!  She
makes beignets on the spot.  Not to mention, the variety of veggies that the
other vendors sell is wonderful.

Then it  turned to this, cold, windy with rain.  Not to many people wanted to stand in the rain and watch a 

demonstration on how to repurpose a wine cork.  So we packed up

and went shopping!  First at the Farmers Market, where they sell beautiful pumpkins etc for fall decorating.  Then for a hot cup of Joe and a big stack of pancakes and french toast-oui!

Once we warmed up we went to Pack Rat Pat's.  What a great store!  You can stand in one spot for 2 hours and not see everything.  She's been in business for 36 years and sells just about anything and everything that comes in a small package.

Then I watched the game, and they played well.  Unfortunately Michigan played better (Linda's team).

Sunday was as sweet as this.  (Sweet Autumn Clematis)

It started with a walk in the sunshine and ended with a date with my

sweetheart.

I planted this last year with the hopes that it would reach my 

bedroom window and it did!

Once we discover how to appreciate the timeless values

in our daily experiences, we can enjoy the best things in life.

Harry Hepner

Details, Details, Details

I tried to be a sales coordinater for a boat company at one point in my life because I always thought that I was good with details.  Their details required all the i's were dotted, and not one mistake.  Not my kind of details!   I begged to go back to my receptionist/HR job working with people.  What I wanted to do is to design the boats!

 These are my kind of details...tweaking something a fraction of an inch until it's just at the right angle.  Does anyone else notice that it looks better that way?  Doesn't matter, it makes me feel better.

Finally something that's just right,, no tweaking needed!   My beautiful, tomboy daughter Rosemary and her dog Paxton.  They came to spend the day with me at the shop.  It doesn't get much better than that.

First Friday Fun

A fun mix of styles and colors

and people!
  Yes, we have the best job in the world, we get to shop, be creative and meet
interesting,  intellegent and fun people.  

Our theme for this month is rust and ruffles.  Industrial and french. Oui!

A friend from design school and her daughter are regulars.  They are on the hunt for unique items to adorn the tables for her wedding, and let me just say...they always leave with a pile of goodies!

  Thanks Mary K and Katie!  You're beautiful even when you're sick!

Window display 

Primitive influence-it's great to add some of these elements to a newly constructed home to add character.

Linda's table scape.  

Locker's- They're not just for school anymore!  We are using these in our

kitchen display.  They have removable shelves thanks to Bernie!

An old hay rack, turned pot holder.  Herb drier etc.  Turn it over and add a top and you've got a one of a kind Foyer table.

our favorite mix,a frenchy chair and an industrial table that came right out of a manufacturing company.

We were suprised when we opened our doors at 5:00 and were met by a film crew who wanted to interview us.  It will air next Saturday at 5:30 on SBT2, Nightlights.  

September Happenings

September 3, 2010 From 5PM-9 PM  

First Friday

strong masculine Industrial meets curvy, feminine, French styling. Our favorite cast of characters. 

September 11-Join Linda and Char at the Urban Market, 1025 N. Bendix Drive. From 9-1:00.  We will be doing some repurposing demonstrations, and selling some small kitchen wares.