Thursday 26 February 2015

Welcoming A New Shopkeeper

We are excited to announce the partnership between Mary Pierce and Anne Faulkner, Soulful Sparrow's new co-owner.

Anne's high energy, creative eye. and long history of retail experience pair well with the vision Mary has for Soulful Sparrow. We anticipate a fun fresh direction as these two begin collaboration.

Anne is a 30 year resident of Elgin's North East Neighborhood. She cut her teeth in this industry as a Kane County Flea Market vendor. After living the vagabond lifestyle for several years she moved on to a bricks and mortar shop, opening a storefront in West Dundee that eventually evolved into Adornments Boutique.  A unique upscale women's boutique and destination shop that was a mainstay in Downtown West Dundee for 15 successful years.

Anne can also claim founder and former owner of The Midwest Antique Clothing and Jewelry Show/Cat's Pajamas Productions. Having built that franchise from a concept to a highly anticipated renowned regional event.

An early supporter of the Illinois Main Street Program, Anne sat on several committees while active in Dundee, including chair of the promotions committee.

Recently Anne has been busy crafting what she describes as "wabi-sabi inspired wearable art" for her boutique business tangerine magpie, which is sold (coincidentally, wink*wink) exclusively at Soulful Sparrow!

Other creative involvements include founder of The Elgin Poetry Box Project, and co-publisher of elginMUSE (with another member of the Pierce family).

Anne's passion (bordering on obsession) for genealogy has led her to blog on the subject as Ancestor Archaeology.

We hope that you will welcome her to the Soulful Sparrow family. As Mary and Anne begin to put their heads together for the future direction of the shop plan to see lots of what you already love about Soulful Sparrow plus some fresh, new surprises to delight and entertain.

Stay tuned .......



Sunday 22 February 2015

Announcing Judy's Retirement


Judy Walsberg and Mary Pierce met in 2010 when Judy owned Tapestries of Nature in Century Corners of St. Charles. Their common interest in art and vintage style led them down a path as store owners together when they created a co-op in the St. Charles location. Within two years the building they were in was sold and the partnership was born when they relocated to Elgin and named the new shop Soulful Sparrow in June of 2012.

It is with mixed emotions that we say a fond farewell as Judy retires at the end of February 2015. Judy's creative flair and business sensibilities have helped Soulful Sparrow make a mark on the Douglas Avenue shopping district in Downtown Elgin. Her artistic, repurposed, handmade merchandise for sale in the shop has been an added attraction that set the shop apart from any other.

Judy will be taking care of her husband in the final stages of a long term illness. She will continue pursuing the arts and showcasing her creations in selected venues as her schedule will allow. Our thoughts and prayers will be with her.

Thursday 12 February 2015

Get Ready! The Vintage Shop Hop Is Almost Here!

We will be participating in the Vintage Shop Hop
this year! Two full days of wonderfulness!
Grab your friends and shop hard!
Watch our Facebook page for frequent updates
and a schedule of events



Never shop hopped? Well, get ready!
This is the mother load of all road trips!


It's a self-guided day of vintage shopping.
A gathering of 200+ vintage shops
and antique stores in northern Illinois
and southern Wisconsin rolling out the red carpet
for you on March 6 & 7, 2015.
You just have to gather your friends and head out!

Valentine's Day Offerings From Your Favorite Shop!

Show your love has wings
with these heart shaped frames
elevated on a stand.

The key to my heart

The bearer of one of these tickets
is entitled to one of these fabulous treats.

"Being a valentine"

Tokens of love