With a little help from our friends..............

 Last weekend was a special one, as we held our very first Rag and Remnant Rummage in the small village of Trull, just outside Taunton. The idea grew from a lot of nagging from Mr W about the amount of textiles, buttons and trimmings which seem to overflow from every cupboard and box in the house and shed....
Finding the stall holders was the easy part as I know a lot of like-minded ladies. The challenge was to spread the word so that we had enough customers to make the day a success. I was totally amazed by the kindness and enthusiasm local businesses offered to spread the word and put up posters in their shops. This shop has a blog, so do pop by to see them.....

 Their shelves are groaning with a delicious selection of textiles, threads and most of all ideas!

 The same can be said for the Stitch Academy in Taunton who have been amazing in networking and helping to make our little event a success! (Sorry no interior photos at the moment.. will add some soon!) You can click on the link to the website.

 The next business to give a helping hand was Daisy Cottage Tearooms in Bishops Lydeard. A new business run by some lovely friends who have been in catering for many years. These photos do not really do justice to the beautiful interior, but I am sure you get the general idea. The tearooms are not far from the West Somerset Railway, so do visit both if you are in the area for a really "Vintage" treat.

 Lastly, I want to say a big thanks to all my friends and local stitching groups who helped to spread the word and tell all their friends about the fair. Woo at Dairy House Antiques certainly made sure that any customer who was interested in textiles didn't leave without knowing the words "Rag and Rummage" !!

Do keep checking the Vintage Bazaar blog  as we will announce the date for the next Rag and Rummage - another date not to be missed on your vintage calendar!

A Chilly Week in Newark's Textile Tent

 Greetings faithful readers! Firstly, many apologies for the lack of postings on the blog. 2012 has taken off at break-neck speed and the month of January having gone by in a flash! This week was the first IACF Newark fair of the year. We set off in trepidation, keeping a firm eye on weather forecasts as we drove North.

 Thursday morning dawned and the sun rose weakly over the showground. The four of us who share the Textile Tent quickly set up our stands and got the kettle on! As usual Maud had been working very hard to prepare mountains of pristine linens......

 Business was brisk throughout the morning despite the snow flurries and sub-zero temperatures. As the day progressed the sun shone through now and then. Part-way through the afternoon I managed to meet and chat to the lovely Nilly Hall. Do check out her clever and informative blog, it is one of the best blogs around in my opinion.

After an excellent overnight stay here I was ready for day two of the fair. On Friday the sun was shining through and illuminating the marquee. Business was brisk for a few hours, and I met another blogger - Wend from Ticking Stripes - another of my regular reads!

I managed to take a few photos and wanted to add this one to remind everyone to get the date of Sunday 15th of April in your Vintage Diary! It is the 3rd Annual Vintage Textile and Costume Day at Dairy House Antiques. Hope to see you there!

Dreweatts and Bloomsbury Auction. Put the date in your Vintage Diary!

 As I mentioned in a previous post (here) I have been gathering some beautiful textiles for the forthcoming auction in Bristol  on Tuesday the 3rd of April 2012.

 Here is a taster of some of the items to be included in the sale. Please note that they may not be lotted as they are shown here. The auction will be shown on line where you will be able to ascertain which items are in their specific lots.

 As well as trimmings, there are Toiles, Passmenterie, beadwork, Samplers, Tapestry, Quilts embroideries, Floral fabric covered boxes and lengths of unused Vintage Dress fabric....

Patchwork pieces......

..lengths and lengths of gold and silver lace.........

More lace... veils...stomachers....

silk flowers for trimming hats...

A 1920's beaded dancers veil, head dress and matching rings and bracelets...

 An amazing velvet bejeweled dress from the 1950's. (above) with an interesting provenance in that it comes from the famous and wonderful BBC (now defunct) costume department. I would love to know which production it was used in?

 These trimmings originate from the same place, some of the colours on the beaded items are breathtaking.

So, don't forget to make this a date! See you at the sale! Click here to reach the website for full details.

Sanderson 50's fabric

Just had to share this 1950's Sanderson fabric....

it is a large piece, so might have originally been used as a door curtain...

The problem is, do I keep it - or does it come with me to The Nostalgic Mix fair in Totnes this coming Saturday? If you click on the link you will get all the details about this great fair. As usual there will be a great mix of stall holders and something for every pocket!

The New Textile Tent at Newark Antiques and Collectors Fair.

Here is a photo of our lovely Textile Marquee at Newark last week. IACF Antique Fairs certainly were most helpful and obliging in getting the 4 of us together in this fantastic space.

My new French and English finds looked good in the bright sunshine that poured into the tent.....

There was a bit of a wedding theme going on with this fantastic 40's headdress, veil and poignant photograph of the bride. In front of it is a French wedding cake decoration from the same period.

Amazing 40's French platform shoes soon found a home...

I didn't get the chance to take further photos of Maud or Michelle's stand...

.. but the funky shoes, magazines and fabric (below) are all from Alan's stand which was next to mine.

If you didn't get to Newark, there is always Ardingly next week where I will have my usual stand near the refreshment area, alongside Maud  and Rosie.... might see you there!

The Original Vintage and Handmade Fair & The Vintage Textiles and Costume Day at the Dairy House

It is all happening in The West Country this weekend! On Saturday it is the fantastic Vintage and Handmade Fair in Chipping Sodbury. Click here for full details....

 I will be there with a mixture of Vintage clothing, Textiles, Decorative china and glass....

Vintage toys, ephemera, haberdashery and possibly a few treasures from over the Channel.......

 Then on Sunday, I will be manning the top floor of the Dairy House for the 2nd Annual Vintage Textiles and Costume Day. If it is anything like last year, the front of the building will be overflowing with beautiful stalls.. and inside will be a veritable Alladin's Cave of Antiques, Furniture, Paintings, Prints, Jewellery, Ceramics.. there really is something for everyone!

Oh yes, and I will be bringing a horse!