Vintage Charm, Luscious Patina, Inventive Decor, Repurposed Style: All Salvaged for a Second-Chance at Love in your Home
Found Objects Gal began as a vintage & artisan made goods shop. Over time it has been a combination of Brick & Mortar space (coolest location around was in a vintage Tobacco warehouse antique market in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania in Amish Country); online shops on multiple sites and pop-up vintage shows around the country. All of this was born from a vintage home décor & vintage purse and accessory obsession that slowly, with a lot of elbow grease, has grown into an actual business.
Growing up in Maryland, just below the Pennsylvania line, Found Objects Gal lived in a historic 28 room Victorian Boarding House, filled with love and stuff! The youngest of eight, my family was made up of Antique Dealers and Estate Liquidators (parents, grandparents, aunt, and uncle). I spent years as a kid, attending Flea Markets, Estate Sales, Antique Shows, and Auctions and became naturally interested in the found item, whether it was left behind or discarded. I wanted to know the story behind it and find new homes for things.
I have warm memories of Friday nights at the town auction house where my grandparents lived. Sitting with my grandfather, a hotdog with mustard and onions in hand and watching him behave like a celebrity: Wheeling & dealing, bidding on vintage items with a slight nod of the head, shaking hands and always explaining to me what he was buying and what he would sell it for. I thought he was amazing.
He called himself a finder of things and purveyor of goods. A natural storyteller who shared the story behind every piece to those buying from him in their shop, The Wee Flea--people just gravitated to him. I remember he asking me “So what did you find this time?” whenever I found something I wanted at the Auction.
I shouldn’t leave out my Grandmother. She was the first one to take me around at a flea market and influenced my first “negotiation” at a show, when I bought something for her and told a story to the seller about why I needed it for a better price. She laughed and laughed when I brought that little Chinese Tea Cup back to her and told me I had it “in the blood”. I loved their collection of Carnival glass. Every time I visited their house, I'd ask her to get vibrant pieces down to admire the swirls of color and design. She influenced my love of vintage glassware to this day. Right now, I have a favorite piece of her on my desk as my inspiration and fondly recall her telling me about it as a child, along with the story of how she got it. It reminds me to listen when people I love tell me things, because they won’t always be here to share.
Both of my Grandparents were into traveling to new places, collecting along the way. My grandmother loved taking pictures and if Instagram had been around in her day, she would have been an influencer I'm sure. Her first camera (a Brownie) sits on my desk right now.
I absorbed their love of travel, vintage things and photos by osmosis I imagine. All significant influences for me. Wanderlust for new places flows through my blood. Finding items to love is my quest and documenting it all along the way is the core of my Instagram! Travel and the hunt are core interests in my heart. Found Objects Gal began with treasuring something that had been special to someone else; frequently found on the road less traveled. Curating the discarded and giving it renewed life. The all-important story.
I love the old, worn and dated pieces that just take some love to give them a new shine. Taking these pieces and layering them into my eclectic mix of finds is like warm layers of paint to me. A story in every layer. A home that has a diverse “Collected over time” patina is a home that speaks a story. Sharing the story is as important in some cases, as the found pieces.
It was all this that led to Found Objects Gal and is still is the adventure that drives me; with pretty antique purses, enamelware waiting to gleam again and random oddities catching my eyes wherever I land.
Today Found Objects Gal is dual coastal, based in warm Southern California for the moment but there will be another location, more road trips, a creative new home base somewhere else again. My gypsy blood requires it. I dream of new places to land and unfound goods that lie ahead.
If you love Vintage, you are always looking for it, sharing it, excited about it and making it available to others. New generations come up who appreciate and want the warmth of layers in their home. Those who are driven to protect the environment. Who act on their values by reusing and recycling instead of buying new. You are all my tribe and I welcome you.
I love making pieces or finding special items that others will value and share with their own families and friends. Let us help you make your house more of a home and guide you towards the layers you need. Follow along on my junk adventures. Let me know what I can help you find!
xo Found Objects Gal
