This weekend I have been selling at the Shepton Mallet Antiques Fair. It has been a tough one as the rain was a major obstacle on Friday (setting up day). However after a few hours, the tent was looking cosy with yellow floral curtains lining the sides of the tent, piles of pretty textiles stacked on shelves, china and glass grouped in colourful arrangements....
It was obviously eye-catching as the people who were organising the filming of a new TV programme approached us and asked if they could film on our stand. As trade was very quiet, we agreed and waited for the arrival of Kirsty Allsopp and the crew.... I know some people do not approve of the way TV programmes abuse the Antiques Trade, but in this case Kirsty's enthusiasm for Vintage Textiles can only be a positive thing for those of us involved in this field of the business.
The long afternoon ticked by, and the rain fell harder and harder. It got to the end of the afternoon and almost time for the fair to close. I braved the elements and went in search of the film crew......
They were running behind schedule, and wouldn't get to us for quite a while, so I made my apologies and told them that we had to get home and so wouldn't be available after all.
However, I did give the lovely helpful girl with the clipboard all my details and flyers for the MANY textile fairs that are taking place over the next few weeks, so who knows, I might get my "15 minutes of fame" one day!
24 comments:
Hi Lizzie, I have only ever seen your textile/fashion stands, I would've loved to see your stand this weekend as it sounds brilliant, the TV crew I know will have missed a treat!
I hope that although you suffered the disappointment of not meeting the soooper Kirsty, that the weekend was profitable for you, oh and not too wet?!
Tracey x
Hi Tracey, It was a tough weekend, weather was challenging and sales were slow, BUT the sun shone today and lots of lovely people made encouraging comments & spent some money too! xx
Dear Lizzie
Lovely to see you yesterday! I hope you had a warmer day today and a busy one too.
No doubt you will have your 15 mins of fame as it seems inevitable that your lovely wares will someday be on a TV programme or film.
I hope you are putting your feet up now and cuddling a cat or two,
Have a fab week
Denise x
oh that's such a shame....may be another day :)
Hi Lizzie, what a shame that the weather was dreadful at the fair, I know how disappointing and miserable it can be. I'm glad the sun shone yesterday and trade picked up. We met Kirsty at the February Lincoln fair. They had been filming all day and came to the shopping arcades right at the end of the fair. By the time they got around to us we had almost packed up but they wanted to take a shot so we had to leave one or two items out for the photographs. The crew were super and Kirsty her normal bubbly self. It made a change to have such an understanding and polite television crew visiting the fair.
Sandie at Rag Rescue
Hi Sandie, they must have been the same crew, as they were SO polite and friendly and appreciative. It was such a shame they were running so late! Have a good week. Lizzie
Dear Lizzie,
Do you still have the floral minature in this photo?
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_XfMZ9-c-X3E/S6ZiptT497I/AAAAAAAABbs/xXwnaa_venQ/s1600-h/kirsty+5.jpg
Kind regards,
Charlotte
Hi Liz
Thought of you on Friday as we were driving off into the unknown in very wet conditions. Reminded me of why I don't miss doing Shepton any more!!!!
So is this your new claim to fame? The person who nearly met Kirstie? Who knows - perhaps she will turn up at a Fair Near You soon. Fingers crossed!
It must have been a nightmare setting up in the rain, but it all looked wonderful, and at least Sunday brightened things up.
Sue x
Sorry it was a wet fair, you put SO much work into making your stand an oasis of girliness 'midst all the "antiques".
Kirsty would've loved it!
Elaine
Your stand looks wonderful and how flattering you were chosen to be filmed! It's a shame about Ms Allsopp, I do think she's lovely and hope you get to meet her soon! xx
Hi Liz,
Well it really was Kirsty's loss, as your stand was beautiful (as always) even though I didn't get to see it until the Sunday. I'm sure you WILL have your 15 minutes of fame as she's sure to catch up with you at one of the MANY fairs that you both attend! Lets hope the TV series does some good for the small high street shop traders as well as the fair dealers! ;-))
I noticed Dolly saying that trade was difficult in Notting Hill due to the impact of all the fairs...
Catch up again soon...Good luck for Wednesday,
Niki x
hi Charlotte, have tried to find a way to reply to you via your blog (but failed) the "miniature" is actually a dried flower arrangement behind glass, I think they were made as craft/kits in the 1930's. I think it is now in the box going to the Daisy House open day on April 11th. Best wishes, Lizzie
Hi Lizzie,
Oh dear - I wonder what I've forgotten to do on my blog - as you've probably seen it's a work in progress!!
I'm going to the Diary House fair too on April 11th! See you (and the dried flowers) there??
Charlotte
Oh my, that's amazing! I bet it was for the second series of her homemade home! I hope she films you!xo
Lizzie your stall looked fantastic there is always so much choice! you are really clever in your buying and the result always makes for a stall where most people should find something they love.You get a prize for being your usual cheery self in nasty conditions hugs Lindy xx
thanks Charlotte, see you at the Dairy House Day, not long to wait! xx
I am not surprised they wanted to film your stand, it looks great. I can see so many lovely things for sale. It is just as well I don't live nearer to your shop or I would be significantly poorer. Pan x
Hi Lizzie
Apologies for not leaving comments for a while. What a shame you weren't included in the filming - they're loss as your stall always looks so lovely.
Ruth x
Oh how annoying that they didn't get to you in time, your stall looked so wonderful too!
We have both been almost rans now, our time will come honey ;-)
Well its their loss, your stall looks amazing such flair for arrangeing your wares, hope you sold loads.
Nicky x
Oh what a shame you didn't get to meet her, I saw her once, she was doing a talk on property buying.
Your stand did looked really fab.
Em x
Where are you this coming weekend. I'm down with the children and might leave them to the tender care of my parents and come and see your stand - where ever you are. Rowena
Hi Rowena
it would be great to see you again.. we are in Frome on Saturday at the Rook Lane fair.. so not far from Bath!
All so very pretty
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