The hum of fast-talking auctioneers. The rhythmic call of bids. The smell of aged wood and polished brass. For a group of interior design students from Northrop High School’s Bruin Design Academy, that energy was the heartbeat of a day they won’t forget — their first experience at a live Shipshewana Auction.
These students weren’t just attending for fun; they were sourcing inspiration, learning about sustainability, and discovering how great design often begins with something old, not new.
A Real-World Design Lesson in Action
Led by instructor Karyn Brumbaugh, the Bruin Design Academy merges creativity, entrepreneurship, and real-world experience. Students explore everything from color theory and space planning to sourcing and restoration — and the Shipshewana Antique & Miscellaneous Auction proved to be the perfect extension of their classroom learning.
“The auction experience tied everything together,” said Brumbaugh. “It was hands-on learning that aligned perfectly with our curriculum. Students evaluated materials, assessed quality, practiced sustainable sourcing, and applied design thinking to real marketplace decisions — all in one unforgettable day.”
Inside the bustling Shipshewana Auction barn, the students became more than observers. They became designers, historians, and entrepreneurs — analyzing craftsmanship, studying value, and connecting directly with the stories behind each piece.
Pictured above are students previewing items at the weekly Shipshewana Antique Auction
Why the Shipshewana Auction?
Brumbaugh, who has long admired the energy and variety of the Shipshewana Auction, said she knew it would offer her students something unique.
“Design doesn’t happen in a vacuum — it happens in the world, surrounded by people, stories, and motion,” she explained. “A live auction brings all of that together. The students got to experience the rhythm of the marketplace — the anticipation, the strategy, and the quick thinking that happens when design meets business.”
The weekly Shipshewana Auction is famous for that rhythm. Every Wednesday, dozens of auctioneers sell thousands of items — from mid-century furniture and primitives to architectural salvage, art, and collectibles — across multiple auction rings. The pace is fast, the variety unmatched, and the experience unlike anything else in the region.
Pictured above are Design students showing some of their wish-list items for bidding.
Learning to See Beyond “Perfect”
Students quickly realized that auctions challenge you to look deeper — beyond flaws to potential.
“It pushes you to look for potential instead of perfection,” one student shared. “Designers can transform something forgotten into something completely new, and that makes your work stand out.”
Another said, “It’s like creative treasure hunting. You never know what’s coming up next, and that unpredictability keeps things exciting.”
For the students, sustainability and creativity came alive as they imagined new uses for old materials and began sourcing pieces for their upcoming holiday craft fair and online storefront, where they’ll refinish, photograph, and sell their own designs.
A Designer’s Treasure Hunt
From a pink-and-white Hoosier cabinet to a vintage carousel, the students’ favorite finds were as eclectic as the auction itself.
“The Hoosier cabinet stole my heart,” one student said. “I’d totally use it in a farmhouse or cottagecore kitchen. It had that ‘grandma’s house but make it aesthetic’ energy that’s impossible to replicate.”
Others fell in love with the artistry and history of vintage quilts, the sparkle of mercury glass, and even the humor of unexpected oddities like a taxidermy deer.
“Auctions are where you find character pieces that aren’t mass-produced or in every store,” one student reflected. “Real design has personality, and you can’t buy that new off a shelf.”
Pictured above, Karyn Brumbaugh, Instructor, shares bidding strategies with Design students prior to the auction.
Sustainability Meets Storytelling
Beyond design, the visit reinforced the value of sustainability — a principle at the heart of both the auction and the Bruin Design Academy. Students learned how to make responsible, ethical sourcing decisions and understood that restoring an existing item can be just as creative and rewarding as designing something new.
“They learned that creativity isn’t about starting with something perfect,” said Brumbaugh. “It’s about uncovering the beauty and potential hidden in what already exists. Great design is as much about vision as it is about craftsmanship.”
Every item purchased helps fund future projects and supports Northrop’s Care Closet, which provides essential items to students in need. Through this experience, the students saw how design can serve both community and sustainability — and that’s something no textbook can teach.
Excited students pictured above receiving the winning bid on this vintage “Betty Boop” doll.
Confidence, Creativity, and Connection
The excitement of the day stayed with them long after they left Shipshewana.
“They were captivated,” Brumbaugh said. “Even the quietest students became bold, curious, and full of ideas. The next morning, the first question they asked was, ‘Can we go back?’”
That enthusiasm is exactly what the Shipshewana Auction inspires — a sense of discovery and connection that bridges generations, trades, and creativity.
Whether you’re a seasoned designer, a collector, or just someone who loves uncovering a good story, the Shipshewana Auction is a place where inspiration meets possibility.
Visit the Shipshewana Auction
Join the excitement every Wednesday at the Shipshewana Antique & Miscellaneous Auction, where hundreds of buyers gather to bid on antiques, furniture, primitives, and one-of-a-kind décor.
📍 Location: Shipshewana Auction Barn
🗓️ When: Every Wednesday, year-round
🔗 Learn more about the Shipshewana Auction →