During the "Book Week", Pam hired a van and a driver to take us into Chicago to do a little shopping. We stopped at a fabric store, Dick Blick and Paper Source because not all of us are lucky enough to have those stores nearby.
We also stopped at this little jewel box of a store call Soutache in the lovely Bucktown area of Chicago.
There were unususal feathers:
There were lovely ribbon roses galore:
There was a wall of ribbon bolts and a wall or two of buttons:
On the way home we stopped at Hollander's in Ann Arbor. Hollander's is owned by the very lovely Cindy and Tom Hollander. I think they may have the largest selection of decorative papers I have ever seen. It is a candy shop for paper crafters. They have excellent classes, bookmaking supplies and they just added a wonderful kitchen store upstairs. Many of their papers are online, too. Go have a browse. I forgot to take photos because I was too distracted by the hundreds of decorative papers.
Next door and upstairs is "Found". Found is a fun little store with vintage based art pieces and other goodies.
This past week will stay with me for a long time. I loved every minute of it, even the minutes when I got all stuck with paper on the box interior and had to tear it out and start over.
Thanks for the notations on the shops Ginny. I had hoped to be going to Chicago in October but it turned out to be New Orleans. Oh well...but one day I WILL get to Hollanders.
Posted by: Maureen | Wednesday, 31 August 2011 at 10:07 PM
Sounds like a day in heaven to me!
Posted by: Judi | Thursday, 01 September 2011 at 12:23 PM
Wow you go to the coooooooolest shops!! The only think about being homebodies, which I enjoy really, is that when I see photos like these I realize there's a lot of world out there...haha but then I am thrilled people like you are photoing their experiences and sharing them on blogs. Cool :D
The wall of buttons, that is seriously drool worthy! Some of them look like they were huge buttons, just gorgeous!
Posted by: Tracey | Saturday, 03 September 2011 at 02:38 PM
I may not have the best shops for some of my supplies but I live only 45 minutes from Hollanders....when ever I go I find so much to love and buy it is the best paper store ever!
Posted by: Roberta | Tuesday, 06 September 2011 at 05:23 PM
hello a friend sent your site over and I am thrilled with the items you make . Please show more lights.. Love it
Posted by: Lynne Brazzel | Thursday, 15 September 2011 at 09:48 PM
Wow what inspiring shops! Not only are the supplies extremely cool, but the displays are awesome! I just love the way the jars of buttons look in the wooden cubby holes. How did you not go broke buying everything in sight?
Posted by: Cindy Lietz, Polymer Clay Tutor | Monday, 26 September 2011 at 02:39 PM
Those are super cute. I like you on Facebook.
Posted by: justin bieber supras | Friday, 18 November 2011 at 03:18 AM