Love Vintage Fair, Wenvoe, Wales.

Yesterday I braved the wind and the rain to cross the bridge over to Wales for the first Love Vintage fair in Wenvoe (near Cardiff). The event took place in a charming village hall, that may have been the village school in a former life? I loved the wooden panelling in the main room which was painted a rather brave shade of blue! It made a great back drop to the stalls of eye-catching goods

Above is a rather jumbled view of my stall (as I wasn't quite set up!)

Samantha's stall with pretty linens and some very funky handmade rings, key rings etc

Above is Claire's stand, it doesn't do justice to her unique handmade jewellery & pretty display. She sells under the name of Random Vintage (www.randomvintage.co.uk)

These ladies knew how to set out their stall of fantastic kitchenware to full advantage, even the jelly was real!

Their attention to detail put my efforts to shame! They are "Nest", Shirley & Anna. Nestvintageliving@hotmail.co.uk

This basket of treasures was on Nadine's stall. As well as china, glassware, pictures & prints there were also several rails of Vintage clothing on sale at the fair. I will add the details of the stalls when I unpack the car & locate the rest of the business cards that I gathered.....

The tearoom area looked so pretty with vintage cloths & a fab selection of homemade cakes.

This is Maggie's stall at the start of the fair, there was hardly anything left by the end of the afternoon! Thank you both for organising a lovely fair & we await the date of the next one.......

November, dates for your diary

This months rather gloomy sign from the 1960's school room!

However, it is not all doom & gloom as there are plenty of great vintage events this month.....

Remember how I am always rattling on about going back in time to old fashioned shops? Well, if you take a trip to Ilminster Textiles fair on November 4th, you can pop into Dyers at the opposite end of the High street.... apologies for the quality of the photo, I took it through the doorway. I am always rather shy of taking photos, but one of these days I will be brave enough to ask if I can take some good interior shots of this gem.

The Ilminster fair takes place in The meeting house, Ilminster TA19 0An and is from 9.30 until 4 pm. Admission free.

These photos were taken at last years fair and show the great quality of goods on offer. As well as stunning vintage clothing from Angela Milson there are textiles, trimmings & goodies galore from all the stalls..

Another must for this month is the Stroud international textiles event at Bisley Village Hall, a few miles outside of Stroud on Saturday the 7th of November.

See link to website for full details http://www.stroudinternationaltextiles.org.uk/events.html

Open from 9.30 to 4 and a great event not to be missed!

Last year was well attended, and the stalls were piled high with a variety of vintage goodies for the collector & maker....

Next is the Vintage and Handmade fair on Saturday 14th of November. I had a stall at the very first fair this time last year, and the event has just gone from strength to strength thanks to the hard work of Michele & Jayne.

If the fair in May was anything to go by, this promises to be a bumper event. Quality stalls with beautiful handmade items, vintage toys, pictures, aprons, hats, trimmings, tins, cushions and so much more. The location is the Town hall in the centre of Chipping Sodbury, and is open from 10 to 4. Admission is free and tea and homemade cakes are on sale all day.

http://www.vintageandhandmade.co.uk/

Images from last years Blind Lemon Vintage Fashion fair in Cardiff. A lively & fun event, bursting with sparkle for the Christmas party season. Takes place on Sunday November 15th at The City Hall, Cathays Park, Cardiff CF10 3ND. Open at 10 am (public) Early entry to trade at 9am, and don't forget to hang onto your door ticket for the draw at midday when you get the chance to win £150 worth of vouchers to spend at the fair!

You can tell the Festive season is getting close by the pictures I have chosen to promote the next few fairs.....

Another event in Wales takes place on Saturday November 21st at the Wenvoe Community centre, Old Port Road, Wenvoe near Cardiff. CF5 6AL. The Love Vintage fair is open all day from 10 to 4. There will be stalls selling vintage items, vintage clothes, jewellery, fabrics, textiles and much more..... any questions, email info@plump-pudding.co.uk

Bridport Christmas Market is another new event and takes place on the 28th November at St Mary's church hall, Bridport. Open at 10 am & trading all day until 4 pm. I will be there with a selection of vintage clothing & seasonal inspired goodies!

A great day out as the town of Bridport has plenty of great shops & a vibrant market.

The following day is the Ashley Hall vintage fashion & textile fair in the Assembly rooms, Bennett Street, Bath. Open from 9 am to 4.30 pm, see website for full details

http://www.ashleyhallfairs.co.uk/

Always a super event with a good selection of vintage fashion items, Antique textiles from France and a lot more besides!

At last we have the technology! With the assistance of my son Tim I have finally set up the long awaited (and much discussed) blog. The washerwoman idea started with a set of fun photographs taken by my great mate Mary (of http://web.mac.com/leadesign1). As I buy and sell vintage clothing and textiles, a lot of my time is spent washing, ironing & mending old clothes.I am potty about the designs from the 1930's and 40's, and probably just as enthusiastic about the 1950's, 60's & 70's.... sorry Emma, I still cannot get excited about the 80's yet...

I sell vintage clothing regularly at the wonderful fairs organised by Edwin of www.blindlemonvintage.co.uk/ but before the Autumn run begins I have the exciting Bath Vintage Fashion and Textiles fair on September 14th to prepare for. See http://www.ashleyhallfairs.co.uk/ for further details.

As well as buying & selling vintage clothes I also can be found selling at Antiques fairs where my stall can only be described as eclectic. Niki (of http://www.nostalgia-stonehouse.co.uk/) has said many a kind word about my displays & efforts!

As you can see, my enthusiasm expands to handknit items, vintage toys, bags, buckles, shoes, hats and a bit of old French enamelware for good measure!

At the moment I am keeping busy planning for the run of forthcoming fairs in the Autumn, the most exciting and original of course being the Handmade and Vintage fair on November 22nd being organised by Jayne and Michele http://www.vintageandhandmade.co.uk/

This looks to be a fantastic event, and it will be great fun meeting up with other bloggers and of course eating cake! Thank you to Jayne and Michele for inviting me to join in the fun!