Seren
Evanston used to have several really good antique stores, but on this last visit I realized that they have disappeared. But, I found a new one (new to me anyway). It's called Eureka! and its around the corner from Good's. Hmmm...I didn't really find it by myself. I asked the nice lady at Good's (who happens to be from the Minneapolis area) is she knew of a good antique store where I could buy some vintage post cards and photos. This lovely lady was kind enough to direct me around the corner (we took a guess as to which direction would be quicker) and I found Eureka was within 8 mins. of my starting spot!
When I got there I thought I might be disappointed. The shop was small and I didn't readily see any signs of vintage photos...but the owner lady was quick to ask me what I was looking for! She directed me to drawers of post cards and pictures. I found several pictures I wanted and barely made it through one drawer of post cards, oh and a drawer of old-timey black advertising posters. There is a file cabinet of sheet music, which I love to copy and use in my altered books...and a small file drawer of pictures I didn't even get to kinda explore before I ran out of time. There is a basement to the shop, but I have NO IDEA what is down there because my 45 mins. evaporated on me and I ended up speeding through town trying to get to the salon to pick up my sis.
The owner, Bindy, was sooooo nice and soooo helpful, I can't wait to come back to really look around...but she was very destressed when she realized that I wanted to use the photos and such in art projects and that some artists use originals, not copies...but nonetheless, she was super kind! Oh, but she doesn't do credit cards!!! Which bummed me out because I'd left my purse and such in my truck back over by Good's. So cash it was...and I had to leave some cool stuff behind.
Anyway, if you're in the neighborhood, be sure to stop in to see Eureka! If you have time, check out the basement and let me know what it's like...I can't wait to see it!
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Good's of Evanston
714 Main Street
Evanston, IL 60202
847 864 0001
I was roaming around Evanston waiting for my sister and decided to poke my head into some hold haunts. I lived in Evanston for a couple of years and have always loved the college campus feel of the city. There are tons of great restaurants and shops...but there are only a few that I consistently go back to and Good's is one of them.
Good's is simply and art and framing supply house. Not to big, not too small. They have the basics and a few hard to find items, but what makes Good's great is their people. The folks that work there are honest and helpful. They use the products and know how to use the products! The location is right smack in the middle of town and is easy to get to from any direction, but the parking can be a bear...but the window shopping in the area makes this a must see.
Down the street is a fabric shop that has some of the most beautiful fabric I've ever seen...and across the street is a guitar shop that calls to me even though I don't know how to play. There's a post office on the corner, perfect for sending my mail art out into the world, and a Mexican restaurant I've never been to, but have heard nothing but good things about! Even the little rock shop catches my eye. I go there to by small stones to add to my chubby books/altered books.
If you step out of Goods walk around the block to your right you will pass the rock shop, the Mexican restaurant and then go down a small street that is parallel to the Metra elevated train. When you get to the corner of Washington, turn right at the consignment shop and got down a couple of doors...you'll find Eureka! It's a treasure trove of miscellaneousness! See the posting here on the blog for more details.
Tom Thumb Hobby & Crafts
1026 Davis Street
Evanston, IL 60201
847 869 9575
I got to Tom Thumb everytime I got to Evanston. I got there to see if that have anything new or anything that's been discontinued in the rest of the world, but may be lingering there. The prices are not great though...actually kinda high...but they have lots of rubberstamps... especially Hero and Hampton Arts. They have a nice selection of ribbon that used to be grossly underpriced, but now its grossly overpriced! The have a huge bead selection...and tons of paint. The stamping ink aisle is nice, but the color range within each type is limited. The point of this store is to have access to lots of craft supplies. There are a whole lot of choices along the north shore of Chicago, so this store does fill a need. It's also perfect for the crafter on vacation...need an ink fix? Want to troll for a set of Hero stamps you haven't seen in a year? This is the joint for you!
I don't mean to sound negative...it's worth the trip, just watch the price.
Went to Carolina Moon on Friday with my little sister, Catherine.
Small store with nice stuff. I like the samples, although it is very dim and they are high up...trying to discourage people touching them I guess. The prices are higher than if you buy online, but if you are in the area its worth a trip. I bought a few things that I haven't seen in cyber space.
I bought some cool glass slide like things called Memory Glass...they were more than I wanted to pay ($6 for 2x2" and the 1.5x1.5") and some large photo mounts ($2.99/4 pack)...but I have found that if I don't pick up interesting things I haven't seen before I ended up pissed off and not able to find them online. I also bought two stamps --- a small dragonfly ($5) by rubber romance and a word stamp (imagine) by stampers anonymous ($7.60).
The stamps are small, but I LOVE them...and I like to buy at least a few things when I go into a local shop...unless I conclude I don't like the shop. Then no review and no purchase.
If you've been to Carolina Moon and have taken a class I would love for you to post a note about your experience!
Went to Bodacious Beads while in ChiTown (Chicago for non-midwesterners) as well.
Nice shop right next door to Carolina Moon. Very nice beads...more upscale items than I am used to seeing in typical bead stores. But the lighting is good and the beads are nicely arranged. The bead trays and note pads are right by the door so be sure not to pass them up in your hurry to jump right into all the colorful trays of beads.
I bought about $5 worth of small beads to put on cards. Plus my sister found several things she liked...the semi-precious stones were fabulous, but well outside of my budget right now.
The staff was ok...just busy working on their projects...didn't bother us though. We were busy looking around.
If you are in the area Bodacious Beads and Carolina Moon are worth stopping into. If you have to make a special trip to get there -- be sure to go when traffic is sparse...otherwise you may kick yourself for the time spent getting there and back.
If you're a scrapbooker or have a passion for patterned paper, there's a store in the area worth poking your head into...see my post called Precious Memories -- Morton Grove, IL