Busy searching the UK and Europe for goodies

It's been so long since I have written anything but I have been in Wales, Cornwall and London searching for interesting objects to take to the next Antique and Vintage Fair at the Bath and West Show and tomorrow I am off to Italy to continue my search.   I have to admit to having a pretty good time while doing all this, its definitely not all work but then what is life if its all work and no play?  Its a serious business though trying to find lovely objects at the right price.  Recently in Somerset and Devon prices at auctions seem to have risen to daft levels, charity shops charge more than I do at the Fairs and boot fairs are full of ex-Ikea stuff and rarely have anything interesting anymore.  So, its vital to scour every possible source in every part of this country and any other countries that I can get to, if I am to keep my stock as fresh and exciting as I like it to be.

 

Anyway, all my recent finds are now prepared for the next show and I don't want to preview them at this stage.  However, while I am away I thought I would bring your attention to a new shop which has just opened in Shepton Mallet.  Its full of vintage furniture, clothes and all kinds of objects to enhance any interior.  Its run by my good friends Belinda and Wayne and I know that they will give you a big welcome if you fancy going to look at their treasures. 

 

Just pop along to No. 21 at 12 Market Place, BA4 5AZ.  Please note that this is the correct address the one on the web is the address of the old shop!

A visit to No. 21 is definitely worthwhile and you could even go before or after your next visit to me at  the Antique and Vintage Fair at the Bath and West Showground on the 5th, 6th and 7th July.

 

So, I'll be off now to see what I can find in Italy to charm and delight you and then I'll be back for the show and then off to France for a month at the end of July.  You can't say that I don't work hard to find those objects which are a little different and very special! 

 

A busy Antique and Vintage Fair at Bath and West Showground

Well, the gales blew, the rain poured but still I had a really busy fair.  Friday started quite slowly (maybe the £10 entry fee deters many people from coming), but Saturday and Sunday were full of people, and really lovely ones at that!  As usual at these Fairs, I sold loads of furniture on the Sunday which is always a wonderful relief - saves loading it all back into the van!  Four lovely tapestry covered chairs went off to  central France.  An occasional table went to Paris, a wall rack went to Japan and all the rest stayed within the UK (as far as I know).  Its always fun to find out where the things I collect because I love them, finally end up.

 

I met lovely people, had loads of fun and despite getting wet and cold (unexpected in May) I had a really good 3 days.  Then I needed to spend Monday and Tuesday viewing and buying at auction to replenish my stock ready for the next show.  Watch this spot, I've found some good things already.

 

One of my first sales were the lovely Dutch children.  I was sorry to see them go, but they did go to a very good home.   Vintage pictures were in demand, as were all pictures.  I sold loads over the weekend.

 As you can see, we even had a little sun but it was defintely a case of catch it if you can!

 

The stoneware bready crock, the tribal pot, the pine chairs, the step ladders and all the pictures seen here all found good new homes.

 

 I had to say goodbye to the charming small oil painting and to the very elegant tea set and the silver plated tea pot.  Its new owner was going straight home to make a cup of tea in it!

The lovely cake tray went off to Japan and much of the retro stayed quite local  I still have the lovely Art Deco mirrors but everything else in this picture is now sold.

 

 

 I love this vintage tea set and was surprised that it didn't sell. Surprised but not disappointed.  It is always sad when my favourite bits sell really quickly!  I rather like to enjoy looking at them for a couple of fairs!

 Victorian dinner services were not in demand at this show, but I did sell rather a lot of it in March.  I still love it all and have already bought some more to take with me to the next Antique Fair in July.

 

The Deco shelving unit was commented on a lot and I had loads of people who were going to come back to buy it on Sunday, but someone decisive got there before them and off it went to its new home.  It was a lovely piece and I am going to struggle to find anything as good, but I do like a challenge!

 

So all in all, a really good show and I am so looking forward to the next one.  The searching out of things to sell is just as much fun as the selling.  And then there is the re-upholstering, painting, sewing and other jobs to be done to enhance some of the things I buy.  I am rather glad that my collection will not be out in public again until the 3-5th July at the Antique Fair. It will give me time to get some real goodies ready for you. 

 

See you then........

momentsremembered

After Hartley Whitney Vintage its the Shepton Fleamarket!

And the good news for anyone coming to the Fleamarket is that I shall have some of my Vintage stock with me.  The Vintage stock will be an addition to the usual Fleamarket offerings although I will still have the china and other objects from France and England that I so love. 

 

I will also be bringing loads of clearance lines - it is Spring after all and time to have a good clear out!  There will be boxes of pictures to choose from for £2.50 each, tables and chairs from £8.00 and boxes of clearance china and studio pottery to choose from for £1 or £2  plus some clearance lines of vintage linen from England and France.

So, to tempt you to the vintage stock that I will be featuring here are some images from last week's Vintage Bazaar.  Not all of it will be coming as luckily (for me) some was sold.

 

Anyway, come along to the Fleamarket at the Bath and West Showground on Sunday, 5th May 9.30 - 4.00 and see if you can firnd a bargain to tempt you.

 

If you can't make it, I shall  be at the Antique and Collectors Fair at the Bath and West Showground on the 10th, 11th and 12th May.  The stock will be different again - some beautiful pieces of furniture, some very special dinner and tea sets, pictures,  fabrics and ready for that special Father's Day - a wonderful selection of vintage ties - many Liberty silk ones amongst them. 

 

I'll post some images on the blog next week to show you some of the antique stock that I will be having for sale at the Antique Fair.  Its a great day out for anyone who likes antique or vintage things.  You don't need to be a serious collector just someone who appreciates objects from the past i.e. having a preference for the beauty and craftsmanship of earlier times to modern day, knock 'em out cheap objects.

 

Come and have a look, have a chat and maybe you'll find something you love - everything I sell is something I have chosen carefully because I love it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some interesting studio pottery

Life seems to have been very hectic recently.  I have been selling so much fabric on line, its been a lot of fun.  However, I will still have some really interesting bits to take to the Vintage Bazaar at Hartley Witney on the 27th April.  I also had a coup the other day and got hold of some large remnants from a retired upholsterer.  I think I'll take some of the lengths to the Antique and Vintage 3 day Fair at Shepton on the 11th, 12th and 13th May.

 

My other find this week that I really love is this Norwegian studio pottery.  It is so retro and really stunning.  I shall definitely be taking it to the Antique Fair, it is so unique and beautiful.

 

The four pieces are lovely together but each stands well on its own.  Somehow there is a real vitality to the design and I've nearly talked myself into keeping at least one piece!  

 

The large platter is 12 inches across, the pair of vases are 8 inches high and the small dish is 6 inches across.  On the vases and the little dish the banana appears on the side not showing.

 

It is an interesting design - why bananas, apples and multi-coloured cherries?   It really reminds me of designs created in the 1950's in the UK.  I have no idea when these pieces were made although each has its own registration number on.  If anyone can throw any light on these ceramics please let me know.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fallen in love with the North of England

Well, what a wonderful week in the Lake District.  Unspoilt beauty, deep snow and lots of sunshine plus really good hunting ground for interesting bits of vintage.  It was like being in heaven for the week. Not only did we enjoy the Lake District we also fell in love with Morecombe Bay and Whytwick Manor in Wolverhampton.  We found ourselves saying that Northerners must feel exceedingly smug when they hear us Southerners believe that we have the best of everything.  We certainly do not, life in the North of England (and even the Midlands) seemed pretty wonderful to me.

Anyway, I came back with two huge boxes of stuff and here is just a little to whet your appetetite for the Vintage Bazaar at Hartley Whitney on the 27th April.

 

.  I found this lovely picture of poppies dating back to the 1930's.  There is a full history of the artist and his work on the back of the picture and it seems that Jean Phillippe Markovitch (the artist) lithos were published and distributed throughout the world.  The printing is so good that many people believe that they have an original.  As I have all the information about the lithos on the back of this picture I am assuming that it is not an original!  However, it is a delightful piece of artistic work and certainly brings with it a much needed feeling of summer. I am selling this lovely picture for £15 - a real bargain.   I also found this traditional enamel coffee pot, the exterior being in immaculate condition and the interior showing signs of many a cup of coffee enjoyed from it. £10.90. There is also a lovely Vintage Indian bedspread £8.50 and needless to say, I have gained a large collection of Beatrix Potter books (£3 each). Well, it would be hard not to collect these delightful books while in the Lake District.                                                                  

 I also did some good vintage clothes hunting.  Found some lovely bits including a Laura Ashley wool crepe jacket from the 80's, a Norman Linton 1940's tea dress and a lovely design crepe dress which would be simply wonderful for those hot summer days I am sure we are going to have.   I've got loads more than this to take to Hartley Whitney, just in the middle of pressing them all at the moment.  

I didn't want to forget the men either and had loads of fun finding lovely vintage silk ties.  I've collected quite a few and just hope I can persuade several men to button up their top button and put back the tie!  It will be an uphill battle I am sure, but these beautiful ties are too lovely not to be seen and I am selling them from £2.50 each. 
 
So, now its busy times ahead.  I've still got some lovely china to sort out, some vintage children's clothes, linen, jewellery, shoes, hats and on and on. And I have another 2 weeks of scouring the area to bring the very best of vintage goodies to share with you.  Please come along.

Preparing to be vintage

This week has been hectic.  Van still in intensive care.  Decided to empty container and move all my stock items to a storage space in a friend's house.  Thank goodness for the loan of a friend's van and her strong arms!  Just trying to get up the energy to move everything from the ground floor to the first floor. 

 

In between this I have been preparing for the next vintage bazaar.  I really like having the three different kinds of stock - the antique, the fleamarket and the vintage.  Having lots of fun scouring the charity shops, auctions, people's houses, markets etc. etc. to find some really lovely things to tempt everyone with.

Thought this little hat would be a good start to Easter.  It may not actually be an Easter bonnet, nor may it be the lovely fur hood that we probably need.  But it is a little bit of vintage nonsense and really rather charming.

 

The Liberty Recipe and Menu book, Visitors book and Photo frame are all rather nice pieces and in immaculate condition.  It seems that most of the world still loves this Liberty design, which is no surprise.  I only wonder why they do not still make the lovely purses, glasses cases and other bits in it.

 

I shall be selling the Liberty bits from £7.50 and the hat at £16.   They will not be on show anywhere until the Vintage Bazaar so I am hoping you might like to come along to buy one of them or something else that I may have to tempt you with.

And then just to remember that it is still Easter this weekend I thought I needed to find a rabbit to sit in my lovely old Provencal bowl.  Even though it will be after Easter before I appear in Hartley Witney with my vintage collection, he will still be with me.  The bowl will be for sale at £12 and little bunnykins will be sad to be sold at £4.

 

I am going to take a break from blogging as I am heading up to snow bound Cumbria to enjoy a wonderful spring break in the Lake District.  Somehow I imagined daffodils and warm sunshine when I booked it, but it seems as though it may be log fires and toboggans.

 

Should I be able to get out and about without skis I will be continuing my search for lovely Vintage pieces and interesting antiques.