Monday, November 29, 2010

December News

Remembrance

Special people and special times but most importantly the reason for the season.  We’ll show you some very creative ways to decorate for the holidays with things you never dreamed of, and gifts to bring back a memory from days gone by.

We’ll start with first friday on December 3
and continue the fun on Saturday December 4th with the Holiday Art Walk.  We’ll have maps available for the other shops and our hours will be from 11-5. Go here for more information
We’re also adding an extra shopping day for the month of
December.  Tuesday -Saturday!
If you’re looking for something fun to do this season, check out the Center for History.  junk Evolution has decorated a tree for their “Trees! exhibit”.
New items arriving at our shop every single day!


Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Happy Thanksgiving


I'm thankful for mornings like this, fog so thick you have to go at turtle speed
then the sun comes out and takes my breath away.




 I'm thankful for always feeling rich, even when eating on 2nd hand finery.
 
I'm thankful for getting to use my creative energy every single day
 and for seeing beauty in imperfections
 and for the light that you all bring to my life!
 I'm thankful for the many blessings of friends that gather here.
and for loved ones that can't be here in person, you are always close at heart!

Just being part of South Bend makes us a little bit Irish at least in spirit!  So on that note, here is 
my favorite Irish blessing.


 May the road rise up to meet you.


May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
and rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

Monday, November 22, 2010

Center for History

Everyone has been coming into the shop to see our Christmas Decorations.  We do have one but it's not at the shop...


In typical junk evolution fashion, and in keeping with our December theme "Remembrance" we decorated a tree for the Center for History along with several other local businesses in South Bend.   For more information about the museum go here.  

I'm just giving you a sneak peak, you'll have to visit the Center for History to see the whole tree!
And just a reminder that we will be decorated with all the vintage finery for First Friday December 3 and the Holiday Art Walk on December 4th.  No season before it's time!  We're still loving Thanksgiving this week!
We are thankful for all of you!

Be thankful for what you have; you'll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don't have, you will never, ever have enough.
Oprah Winfrey 

Saturday, November 20, 2010

Feed The Earth

Have any of you ever seen the movie or play "Little Shop of Horrors"?  Every time I carry my compost bucket out to the pile, I amuse myself (aaahh yeah, it's easy to do) by thinking of the big plant saying "FEED ME!"  But instead it's the earth. 
 Composting is easy to do, and the earth will love you for it.

The slop bucket, as it's known in my house.
I eat pretty healthy so there are lots of vegetable scraps, tea bags, dryer lint, coffee grounds, pretty much everything except meat scraps and grease that you can put into the pile.   Mmm good!


 This is the pile.  It's pretty big when it's fall, because we add lots of leaves, but by spring it will have burned down in size and when you turn it, you'll have rich hummus to add to your garden beds.


It started out behind the fence, but has grown.  Just remember to layer your compost pile like lasagna
a wet layer (food scraps) then a dry layer (leaves, grass, shredded paper from your shredder or newspaper.



If you grow your own tea, then it saves all the paper scraps, staples etc that come with the package.  I also water my plants with the left over herb tea.  If it's good for us, it's good for them.

Did any of you watch the interview with Prince Charles last night? I never really knew anything about him that didn't involve Princess Di, until now.   I now have a new profound respect for the man.  He is a huge environmentalist and practices what he preaches.  He too, is an organic Gardner. He grows his own vegetables, raises beef and chickens on his farm. Surprisingly he does a lot of the gardening himself.  He made a statement that should be wide spread.  We are using the earth like a science experiment, but by the time we realize how horrible we are treating it, the consequences will be irreversible.  We only have one EARTH!
This man is a Prince in every sense of the word !



We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude.
-CYNTHIA OZICK




Tuesday, November 16, 2010

There's a new girl in town

 I don't know why, but revamping a mannequin is just as fun as refurbishing furniture.
Meet Mona.  She was painted grey, with periwinkle pupils and after power washing, and hiring our amish welder to make a stand, she's looking mighty fine.

LIFE ISN'T ABOUT FINDING YOURSELF.  LIFE IS ABOUT CREATING YOURSELF.

 Mona is modeling a junk evolution T, with a fake fur coat, and vintage rubber boots.  You know we love the mix in furniture and it carries over to fashion as well.
She is also wearing  Mountain Man head gear, made by this guy.
Jeramiah
My son, who lives in Colorado and crochets in his spare time. 
GO CONFIDENTLY IN THE DIRECTION OF YOUR DREAMS!  LIVE THE LIFE YOU'VE IMAGINED.  -THOREAU

Friday, November 12, 2010

Who doesn't love cake?

Going back to the spring...remember when Linda came back to the shop with this retro cake picture?



It's straight out of the 70's, and looks like The Big Greek Wedding cake.  My first thought was
"Are you crazy girl friend?"  but the more you see it, the more it grows on you.  It's just so priceless, how could we part with it?  We can't! So we had to come up with an alternative, where everyone can get a piece of the cake!  We rent it.  Yes, for $25.00 you can use it for a weekend, and all the proceeds benefit Breast Cancer, or what ever charity you choose.  It would be great to use for your wedding shower and stick all your bridal party's little faces on the cake people.

One of our customer's (also a Linda) rented it for an event she planned.  The theme was a 70's Polish wedding.

 Complete with a retro bride.
She set this out a few days before the big even to start the excitement!  They served polish sausages and all the fixings, and cake of course!

So make your next fund raiser a Fun Raiser!

Monday, November 8, 2010

Reflection's of First Friday

Ready or not....here it is!

This was a point and shoot, while driving to work Saturday!


We had the best time Friday night and our beautiful models did such a great job.  We were worried about the weather keeping friends away, but it actually brought them in.  Thanks to all our customers, friends and family who weathered the storm!


Haleigh modeling a retro 50's dress

Haleigh in a 60's maxi dress

Cassie striking a pose

Cassie

Thank you both for a job well done!

We've been collecting vintage for years, saving up for a night like this.
A closet full of vintage luxury

Thanksgiving
Tamara modeling Christine's necklace.
Also many thanks to my talented sister, Christine for showcasing her vintage re-makes.  The one above is made with African beads made from old vinyl records.
Nothing says Thanksgiving like a gravy boat!
Gratitude is the inward feelings of kindness received.
Thankfulness is the natural impulse to express that feeling.  Thanksgiving is the 
following of that impulse.      
-HENRY VAN DYKE

To see the complete photo album go to junk evolution on face book.

Friday, November 5, 2010

Tonight's the Night

We started our redecorating last Sunday, and still have more to bring in today,
for tonight!

 So cozy up to the fire, and enjoy a cocktail ...
 We have a special guest artist, Christine Tirotta bringing a case full of new vintage recreations.
 And this wall will be uncovered.
 You always see the after, so here is a before shot.
 Turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, creamed corn, sweet potatoes, and pumpkin pie-yes, it's right around the corner...do you have everything you need for entertaining?
 Stella looking mighty fine.
A new farm house table!
See you tonight at 5-9 for cocktails and appetizers!