Store

Found objects have always attracted sensitive types who see beyond the items' intended use. The seeking is part of the fun—and so it is with Birdhouses + Benches, an unexpected "store" that must be sought out and which relies on found objects for its wares.

At the crest of a hill between imposing apartment complexes in Magnolia, a sandwich board advertises in block letters: "Birdhouses + Benches for Sale." Sure enough, a driveway between a fenced-in yard and a side garden overflows with some 65 wooden birdhouses, embellished with found objects and painted in the Folk Art style. This quaint place belongs to the Carsons, artisans who prefer to greet you with a sign saying "Welcome to our shop" instead of pushy salespeople.

Each birdhouse has its own signature, be it a perch made from a crystal doorknob, a hammer head or a bent fork; painted insignia from local college teams; or wind chimes dangling beneath. Each one sells for $40-$45, unless marked "Not for sale — in use." (Step closer and you can hear the scuffling and chirps of residents.)

While most of the birdhouses hang, a few are designed to sit, such as the lighthouse tower or the replica of a lodge, complete with miniature woodpiles and a pebble-inlaid chimney ($75). The Carsons also offer concrete stepping stones with stone-and-glass mosaics ($15), the occasional bench — complete with two birdhouses flanking each end ($175) — or even a garden gate ($75).

Whether or not you purchase a birdhouse, the true spell of this secret stash is how nature, art and commerce co-habit so peacefully.

Tip: Bring cash or checks; there is no Visa machine. Call ahead for a personal appointment with the Carsons.

By Alison Peacock
Special to NWsource