Is it me or has the concept of the 'pop up shop' suddenly become ubiquitous? It could just be an urban trend or a product of the economy but this season I suddenly noticed more 1-day-only or 1 weekend only shopping events than I ever have before. Although I'm against the ridiculous big box commercialism of the holidays, I fully support local artists, Chicago businesses and of course my favorite, sellers of antiques and vintage items. While I'm not a vintage seller myself (I'm a collector/hoarder!), several of my friends and fellow bloggers sell at pop ups on a monthly or seasonal basis.The three ladies in this post were all hawking their wares this Saturday so of course I had to drop by for a chat and to take photos.
My first stop on Saturday was the Firebelly Foundation 's pop up sale for charity. Karyn of Dethrose Vintage was there selling her always well curated selection of pre-1970s dresses, purses, jewelry and shoes. She's wearing a 1970s dress, a hat knitted by her sister and Anthropologie shoes.
I never would have thought to mix together coral and navy but Karyn's display of accessories convinced me otherwise.
Karyn has an eye for merchandising and display too, I like how she nested these colorful wallets in the wooden trinket box.
A vintage suitcase also serves as a display piece. I was amused to see a postcard pack from Tulsa, Oklahoma-- my family used to drive there once a year to go shopping.
After visiting with Karyn I headed off to a 5-story open studio sale held in an artist loft building where my friend Merl maintains her jewelry design business. She also sells vintage and LOVES cats. Definitely a girl after my own heart.Merl teamed up our friend Lisa of Archives Vintage for the one-day sale. Lisa is pictured above on the left and Merl is on the right.
Merl and I posing in front of her display of vintage clothing and purses. I'm wearing a 1970s dress and '60s necklace.
A row of vintage necklaces and supplies that Merl uses in her jewelry design. What I love about her pieces is that she reworks a lot of found (vintage) elements into modern, wearable and often sculptural necklaces, bracelets and rings.
One of Merl's creations, I like how it's both edgy and feminine.
Chunky rings made with natural pebbles, crystals and rhinestones.
I had my eye on the crystal leaf and bronzed leaf necklace. There was just something about the contrast of textures and the natural motif that spoke to me.
Lisa & Merl, two talented and beautiful ladies! Lisa is wearing a stunning suit from the early 1960s (or 1950s?) and Merl is wearing a trapeze style sweater dress, not sure if it's vintage.
Best of all, Lisa was wearing gold glitter shoes! Unfortunately they were tricky to photograph but you get the idea. She also has a pair of silver glitter shoes, I'm so jealous.
Merl happily holding up her purchases from The Savoy Flea, a wondrous emporium of "refined oddments and vintage goods" located on the 5th floor of the building. Truth be told, I actually stopped at The Savoy Flea before swinging by Merl's studio-- I blame their clever advertising. Marianne, the proprietess of Savoy Flea, put a sign on each stair landing pointing upwards to the top.
By the time I reached the 5th floor I was out of breath but was instantly rewarded by the sight of a meticulously decorated and arranged space that wouldn't have looked out of place in an Anthropologie store or Crate & Barrel catalogue. Marianne could you please come to my apartment and redecorate it in the style of your shop?
The merchandising of Savoy Flea was superb, the prices very reasonable and the aesthetic unique. I'm as big of a fan of Midcentury Modern as everyone else but have been on burnout from it lately so it was refreshing to see Marinanne's brand of vintage that emphasized natural materials (wood, leather) and the mixing of masculine and feminine elements.
Yes I'd like everything in this photo please, the sunflower vessels are actually measuring cups.
I especially enjoyed the crafty repurposed elements in the shop as well, most of all the paper garlands are made out of old book pages. Why am I not better at d.i.y.?
An imaginative approach to holiday decorating, vintage Shiny Brite ornaments grouped together in an antique bird cage.
More crafty goodness above and below; traditional paper snowflakes cut out from book pages and even a wreath made from vintage ephemera. A very tasteful and Modern approach to holiday decorating.
Doesn't everyone need a bucket of swords in their home? I've now decided that my future living room NEEDS something similar to what's pictured above-- can you imagine the conversations it would spark?I'll definitely be back to visit Marianne of The Savoy Flea and of course Merl to photograph their spaces again in the new year (with a new camera too!).
Did you make any new discoveries this weekend? Does your town or city host pop up shops and temporary events like the ones I attended?