Merry Christmas

Wishing you all a beautiful holiday!  We will be open tomorrow (Christmas Eve) until 2:00 for those last minute shoppers.

Friday 10-6

Saturday 10-4  

I'll be slashing prices on Friday on Furniture.  Cash or checks preferred for a discount.

Warmly,
Char, Linda & Bernie

Decorating Challenge-Christmas

A friend/customer challenged me and others to decorate with things you already have and I had to laugh a little (ok,  a lot!).  I  always use what I have and every year in a new way.  This year I did buy some of that netting thats about 20" wide and thats it.  It will be a wonderful way to wrap gifts (if the people I give them to will reuse it).  

Then I went down and searched my stash for an old picture frame and some twine.

I added sparkle letters that say PEACE, glued to
a piece of twine.

I love these lanterns because you can fill it with whatever
is in season (a bird nest and flameless candle) .    Add a french
cafe chair in the right color and a deep red table cloth.

 I went into the woods and pulled out grape vine and wired them up on little cup hooks, then strung white lights and a string of patio lights from them.  Everyday on my walk I take extra bags to fill with pinecones etc to use in my decorating.  The urns are full of them.  Its so pretty at night when the lights are all crazy and you don't see the vines.  I went for a simple and understated look that cost me just a few dollars for a half off roll of netting, and only used a bit.

December News

GET IT HERE

Thankful

Thankfulness can barely cover the past 5 years at junk E .  It's overwhelming sometimes to think of all the wonderful people I've met.  

  Junk Evolution is here to stay with  Linda and Bernie  at the helm but I'm ready for some new challenges that will provide me with more of a paycheck.  Money isn't everything, but at this point in my life I need to prepare for retirement and the present position is not the solution.   With that being said I truly thank you from the bottom of my heart for helping to make a lifelong dream  a reality.    I'm not sure what I'll be doing at this point because I want to finish out the year (and I've got tunnel vision) but it will be a creative,  thought provoking job because I need to love what I do.  


All the Best~



Char  

Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving.....

And all through the shop

 The lights were all twinkling...

and that's all I've got!

Harujion Design

Unless you look closely at Hiromi's work, you really can't see all the hard work and detail that goes in to every item.  She just did a blog post on some of her new bags that happen to be for sale at junk Evolution.  Instead of giving a mass produced bag, give a beautiful, one of a kind, handmade piece of art priced similar or even less than a popular cloth bag company.   As a seamstress myself,  I can't even begin to compare to her exquisite  craftsmanship.  Click on her link to read more about what goes in to each bag!  Get them now at junk Evolution through December,  while they last!

hand embroidered details

Recycled jacket and belt with felted wool and sequin embellishments.

phone jackets

Small Mountain Business

Remember my friend Judy who I visited last summer in Victor, CO?   She has a young entrepreneur friend named Autumn that she wants to promote.  She makes beautiful knit items and sells them on etsy.   Her business name is Reinfree.  Check her out and spread the love!  Victor is a tiny little mountain town, so the great thing about the world wide web is that she can sell from there with the help of people like you and me.  

I Love This! A Painters Beauty Tip

I'm not getting paid to promote this product but love it enough to share.  After reading about the mico-derm pellets polluting the great lakes etc here  I was happy that I had picked a natural product made with the shells of apricots (kind of like recycling).  It's also only about $7. for a large jar.  I use it on my face,  hands and feet and where ever I need to scrub off stubborn paint instead of using paint thinner.  (Yes, sometimes it is necessary to use the dreaded oil based paints because of their durability.)   

When choosing products that go directly on my skin I always look for the most natural, you just can't go wrong.

November?

What happened to Fall?  One day I was walking on this

and the next I was driving on this!  The good news is that it really put us in the Christmas spirit.  The fall decorations came down really quick and so many homes are already decorated for Christmas.  junk E included!  Hopefully we will enjoy the solitude of the season and shop leisurely through our favorite small businesses and forgo the hustle and bustle of the big box stores.   Out of all bad, comes good!  

 Hiromi has been busy all year just for this month with her lovely handmade purses, pillows and jewelry.  It goes perfectly with our GLOBAL CHRISTMAS theme.  As we travel through life it makes us appreciate more.  The handicrafts of other nations,  and the artisans and things that we are surrounded with in our own towns.  Thats what this season is all about at junk Evolution.  We strive to help make this season a meaningful, less stressful time.  Don't ever hesitate to ask us to help you find the perfect gift for your special peeps,  it's just the kind of challenge that we love!

This beautiful bag is made from a coat and belt (totally recycled) then embellished
with felted circles and embroidery.

Asian inspired

Holiday whimsey that last past the holidays.

Global Decor

The bungalow room

Merry and Shiny Brite!

Even tho our theme is the Roaring 20's we sneak in a
little something for everyone.

lots of vintage sleds!  Be sure to look up :)

The winter collection of Vintage Twill has arrived!

Kathleen modeling her recent purchase and looking fab!

Novembers Class Will Keep You Warm!

Sorry this is such a short notice but Hiromi has agreed to do a class next Thursday evening, November 13, at 6 PM  if we can get enough people!  She'll teach you how to knit on your fingers and make this beautiful cowl neck scarf that will be a fantastic item for gifting.  She said you can easily make them in a short amount of time and will be easy enough to finish at home if not completed at the shop.  The cost is $25.00 /CC $20. per person.  So grab a friend, sister, or daughter and sign up today!  574-215-7812 or stop by.  Advanced payment is required.

Novembers Looking Great!

If you don't subscribe to the news letter Here it is!

Indian Summer

One of our favorite places to visit in the fall is Traverse City, Michigan.  We haven't gotten to go since we started this business but Ed surprised me and made the reservation.  I'm sure its beautiful any time of the year but we enjoy it in the fall because it's dressed in brilliant hues, and it's not as crowded this time of year.  It's breath taking everywhere you look, the food is amazing, and the peninsula is full of winery's and now distilleries and there are micro brews all over town.  It's a sensory overload and a great way to re-charge!  

Even the clouds are brilliant!

Farm stands are everywhere

The vineyards

and the bay at Lake Michigan

This is our last week of Farm house, and next week we set up for "The Great Gatsby" so here's a last look of October.

custom Farm House table

A grain bin fashioned into a planter, blanket holder, manger .....

Fireplace mantel

Lenox china-perfect for your Thanksgiving table

Bittersweet Wreaths and perfect patina doors

Vintage Twill will outfit you for Fall and winter in darling
apparel.

Lamps and tables and pumpkins-Oh my!

Glass door book shelf

White china tea set

Antique utensils

a new use for a bed footboard-Window Valance or
create a dramatic bed by hanging it above yours
with curtains billowing out from behind!

A perfect country French storage for dishes or to show off
your quilt collection.

The Barn yard