Gather & Collect

Woooo…To say 2020 was a doozy is a monumental understatement. It was a clusterf*ck…a nightmare…and possibly a blessing for so many reasons. There is the obvious: the neverending Pandemic and the illness, loss of life, feelings of isolation, fear, exhaustion, and anger that coincides. Throw in a side order of social justice crisis, a smather of political divide with extra fake news and divisiveness, and what you got there is a true shit sandwich.

Friends and family once united in Love and Respect have found themselves fractured in Anger and Hate. It has been a year of loss, of change, and of uncertainty. All the while, we try to continue life as normal as possible. A new normal…an everchanging normal. In hopes that our actions now will get us closer to a more “normal normal”. Kids at home for school has been a tough one. Jobs lost and jobs shifted to being home based have caused even more adjustments. Carving out time and space for sanity and focus is tough on any and everyone. But we try. We TRY to continue the best we can; we shift when things aren’t working, and we lean on others to help fill the gaps and for a little giggle in all of this insanity.

That’s right. It’s OK to giggle. It’s OK to embrace the change. It’s OK to hope and dream and plan and make the best of what we have/are going through. “You get what you get, and you don’t throw a fit”… has been a tough one to live by. 2020 and the current 2021 has reminded me that it’s ok to throw a fit here and there, but then we have to pull up our boot straps and try to make the world a calmer, richer (not money rich…), nurturing place for all to cohabitate. If you have the opportunity, read a book, work on a puzzle, learn chess, and carve out quality time for family. It may be through FaceTime or through a window, but it’s something. Things may still suck…I mean TRULY SUCK due to illness, loss of job, financial insecurity, along with all of the other unknowns. I’m trying to focus on the day to day, and by setting short term goals, it’s a little less overwhelming. Your goal may be just to get up and out of bed; to shower, return a phone call…That’s OK.

In the meantime, I hope you all stay safe and sane in this crazy little space called life. It takes a Village. Thankful for mine.

Well, it’s been another minute since I’ve posted. I have every intent, but it’s how I roll…Not much has happened in the last year right? Oh wait…we’re still in the Pandemic of 2020, and civil unrest is more prevalent than any other time in my 51 trips around the Sun. Over the past presidential cycle, America feels more divided than ever.

It’s A LOT to take in… A LOT to think about…to worry about. It feels like rock bottom at times when you turn on the news, but hopefully WE as a nation can recover. We have to…what other choice do we have? I know that I personally have opened my heart…opened my ears…and opened my mind up to the reality that I am pretty damn fortunate to have been born into the privleges that come along with having white skin. I have taken it for granted, lived in a bubble, and it’s time to sit back and listen. Sit back and learn…sit back and reflect…and most importantly…to stand up and act. I WILL make changes and stand up against racism when I see it…when I unknowingly contribute to it…so that the society we live in is equitable for ALL. One person can’t fix the world, but I sure as shit will be part of the solution and not the problem. IT TAKES A VILLAGE.

What have we been up to?

The lockdown seemed like it would never end. Overnight, some ten plus weeks ago, I found myself closing up my little brick and mortar and realizing changes would need to be made to keep afloat. I quickly took to Facebook and Instagram and sold my wares. With the help of friends and family and the Williams boys, we delivered close to 200 orders during that time period. I began working with a web designer to help build an online shop, which is SO CLOSE to being launched. Stay tuned for that!

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I can’t begin to thank those who have supported small businesses since this has all began. We’ve been fortunate to have moved on to Phase III (geez that still sounds so SCI-FI) and have reopened this past week. With new safety protocols in place, we are doing our best to be safe for everyone who enters our door. Masks are required, sanitizer is aplenty, and social distancing is key.

We’ve opened back up, stocked the shelves with new items, with a shit ton more on the way. We hope you will stop in and say hello! We’ve missed you.

We skipped right from a rainy summer to snowy Halloween!

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Man, October flew right by! It’s already November… We are bringing lots of new goods into the shop each day. Stay tuned for pics!

OK…maybe I haven’t actually posted in three years, three months, and 27 days…but who’s counting? Initially, I couldn’t figure out what website to go to actually post…then about a year and a quarter in, I figured out that it was WordPress. For the life of me, it has taken me another year and a half to figure out the username and password. Eventually, I gave in and 37 seconds later reset the whole damn thing! Here I am, ready to post. Before sharing mesmerizing pictures that will bring tears to your eyes, I will reintroduce myself and recap the last 3 years, 3 months and 27 days…

My name is Julie Spiller and I have owned Gather & Collect just shy of 8 years, 4 months. Boy have there been some ups and downs over the years, but I still enjoy what I do. Maybe not the storing it all over my garage and basement and living room and dining room and…you get the gist. A lot goes into owning a business. A LOT…A lot of time, effort, money, sweat equity, and HELP. Huge shoutout to the friends and family that make it possible.

Gather & Collect has changed a lot over the years. Where I started out the venture the first three years with a business partner and sweet friend, Jessica Moran, of @jessicamoraninteriors, I assumed the whole shabang back in 2014. Over time, I have shifted focus, shifted products, added in some snark and for better or for worse, some personality.

The tag line is still Gather & Collect…a place of vintage. I still feel that remains true. Vintage means more than just “antiques” or “aged”. To me, it’s a mix of old school, flashbacks, good vibes, memories, yester year… and so much more. My first few years I painted and sold a lot of furniture. To be honest, it became too hard to keep up with. You know when you feel stressed that you sold a few pieces, it’s time to shift gears.

Now I focus on smaller, more manageable goods. This allows me more time to thrift! I offer an eclectic mix of unique, original artwork, pottery, brassware, classic books, lamps, industrial finds, upcycled treasures, global goods…yadayadayada. I have expanded my lines to include local makers, from jewelry to soaps to candles to honey to stationery…the list goes on. The shop offers a curated collection of boho clothing, purses, scarves, ties, linens, wallets…

Maybe two or so years ago, I added “potentially offensives” to lighten the mood during the election and its current aftermath. Patches, pins, stickers, mugs, glasses, inappropriate cards, naughty pencils…political satire. I know my sense of humor may be offensive to some, and I can appreciate that. My intent is pure…to offer a chuckle here and there in hopes that it may lighten things up and you will share kindness with the next stranger you come across in your day.

That’s it…we’re all caught up! I’ll touch base in three or so years! Just kidding…I’m always posting on Instagram and Facebook, but I’m going to make every effort to post here more often. My goal is to offer items for sale online in the next few months (though for me, that may be next year). Thank you for your continued support of our little village, of my little shop, and for the memories you helped create. It really does take a village.

cheers to a life well lived…Julie

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It’s getting dark at 3:30pm…It’s raining…again.  Fall is a beautiful time of year until the leaves are wet and laying on the lawn waiting to be picked up for the season.  Lot’s of heavy stories in the news to digest.  It’s time for comfort food.  Bowl of macaroni cheese in hand, I survey my surroundings.  Time to make “comfort space”.  It helps getting through the dreary Chicago weather by being able to look around your home and find things that give you a little pep in your step…a little flash of the pearly whites.  Here at Gather & Collect, we hope we are able to help you achieve that goal without breaking the bank.  Stop in.  We’ve scoured the midwest for vintage treasures that will surely help make your house a home.

Cheers to a vintage life well lived.

We’re gearing up for the holidays…stop in…there is literally something for EVERYONE on your list…make this years gifts affordable and personal.