....and now for something completely different!

In the past few weeks I have been busy buying for the next run of fairs. These large wooden spools from France have been selling well, and they look great displayed on some of my Antique and recycled Indian painted furniture.

 Yesterday we restocked the Dairy House with this Indian cupboard with wire mesh doors (perfect for the kitchen). We also took some Indian gates and other pieces of carved wood items (below).

 The wood and metal work well alongside gorgeous old French grainsacks....

  This coming Saturday I am selling at a new fair in Ilminster at the Meeting House . I will be taking along a selection of French Linen sheets, Eastern European Mangle cloths, buttons, wooden cotton spools and a selection of these beauties (below)....

 Carved Antique wooden items from India. They look wonderful alongside the linen sheets and other stock.

 Most of them have been adapted so that they can by hung on the wall or used as candle sconces.

 I adore the layers of chipped old paint, some of them would have adorned buildings for hundreds of years.

The following weekend I will be having my usual stall at The Vintage and Handmade Fair in Chipping Sodbury, if there is room in the van I might bring along a few Vintage Indian items to ring the changes to my stand. What do you think?

Two amazing Fairs in two days....

 Sometimes it is hard to decide how to post about fairs. Do you write a before or after account?

My problem this week has been that I have attended two very different fairs for the first time. It is not a lot of help to you (the potential customer/happy shopper) to hear about a marvellous event that you have just missed!

...... So, the purpose of this post is to make sure everyone knows about these two events & get them in the diary for 2012 now!

 The Decorative Living Fair at Eridge Park (near Tunbridge Wells) is an annual event which takes place in May. The perfect month for this beautiful fair.

 The above photos are of my stand, I should have taken more of other people's, but as I didn't know a lot of them I didn't have enough time to ask permission and introduce myself. (something I feel strongly about if one is going to use other people's images on the blog).

 Su  and Jill from The Blue Linen Cupboard had a stunning stall of French treasures....

 This is Jacquie's stand (aka Kitty). I returned to several times to buy myself little treats. Sadly couldn't persuade Mr W that we needed the glorious green kitchen cupboard!

 It was the detail and finishing touches that made this stand special.

 Outside the scene was breathtaking...Beyond the marquee's and outdoor stands was this view!

The outdoor stalls were full of gorgeous garden furniture, plants, Linens, flower pots and of course a cafe where one could purchase refreshments to enjoy in the outdoor seated area.

At the end of a fantastic day at Eridge, it was time to bundle all my stock into the van and head West to here.....

Another stunning location for a Textile fair.

 A selection of the stands from the Avalon Textile and Decorative Fair. It really was the most amazing location for an event. The 14th century Abbey Barn looked incredible, it was hard not to look up at the roofspace (instead of concentrating on setting up the stand!)

 The strings of lighting were perfect to illluminate the space. The stalls were of the highest quality, from buttons and trimming to sumptuous beaded evening wear.

 ..from cupboards, mirrors and yachts!

 I do not know if there is to be another event at this location, so all I can say is watch this space and I will let you know!

New stock coming to the fairs this week...

Having just returned from a buying trip in France, I am about to set off  again to sell at the Decorative Living Fair at Eridge Park near Tunbridge Wells on Thursday.  I will be taking along some English and French Textiles, trimmings, lace, buttons.....

As well as Beautiful old shell boxes from France, hats, corsage, sequined scarves, floral oil paintings, floaty vintage dressing gowns and a smattering of French enamelware.... an eclectic mix I hear you say... That is what happens when I am let loose buying in France!

If you are unable to get to the fair in Kent, never fear.. I am doing the Avalon Textile and Decorative Fair in Chilkwell Street, Glastonbury  BA6 8DB on Friday the 20th of May. The fair is open from 9 am to 4 pm. Entrance is free to the fair and museum buildings.

Vintage wallpaper. Another passion of mine...

 All these images have one thing in common. They may look like pictures or prints, but are in fact all wallpaper designs. The first 2 images are from a Crown design of the 1950's. It was a time when travel to Europe was becoming popular, so what better way to remember your holiday to Italy, Spain or France than to have wallpaper as a constant reminder!

 These next two images are called Illana, and are made in England by Shand Kydd Ltd. I love the soft colours in this one, and it is in wonderful condition considering it is over 50 years old.

 These cowboys and Indians were the bedroom wallpaper of one of my customers. I am not sure how we got around to chatting about wallpapers, but he kindly sent me these images when I said that I would like to do a blog post on wallpapers....

 Boats seem to be a common theme around this time, and I have used some of this design to decorate the front of a painted cupboard in our bathroom. This roll is made by Crown, but doesn't have a design name. It is also apparently washable and "steam resistant", so might be from the 60's rather than the 50's.