The First day of Spring!

 Just look at that sky! This was the scene at The Ardingly Antiques and Collectors Fair on Tuesday this week.

 We arrived at our new location (a smaller marquee not far from where we used to be) bright and early ready for the day ahead.....

The sun was already up and pouring lovely natural light into the marquee.

We had the added bonus of having outside space to display things, which is great for presenting an attractive entrance to the stand.

Trading was very brisk, and it was great that our regular customers found us. I also met some lovely new folk who read this blog. A big thank you to them for popping in. I can't tell you how nice it is to meet friendly smiling faces when you have been up since 3 am!

This fella (above) was on our neighbours stand. they are a lovely family from Belgium who have superb and interesting stock.

This little boy was on the Beyond France stand next to mine. Maud also had a busy morning. We are pleased with the move to a new location and you can see us both on Saturday together at The Vintage Bazaar in Hartley Wintney, Hampshire where we are stalling out side-by-side again!

48 hours in France

Many apologies bloggers for the silence over the past few weeks. Life seems to have cranked-up a few gears lately, leaving a distinct shortage of hours in the day!

 However, earlier in the week we did manage to make a long-overdue trip over to France to stock up on goodies for the busy run of Spring Fairs.....

It is always hard work gathering pretty stock at the right price, but I am pleased with what we found over a few days.....

 A selection of these pretties will be on my stand in Frome at The Vintage Bazaar on Saturday 20th April.

 I couldn't resist this "Washerwoman" nursery plate....

and these unusual printing and photographic blocks caught my eye....

 A selection of beautiful 1930s children's straw cloche hats just had to come home with us. I will be taking some of these to The Bath Vintage Fashion fair on Sunday 21st April at Green Park Station in Bath (Near Sainsburys).

 Pretty china destined for The Decorative Living Fair at Eridge Park on Thursday May 16th.....

 This grumpy looking pair of French ladies will be joining me on my stand at The Vintage Bazaar in Hartley Wintney on Saturday 27th April. More details on the blog. 

 These quirky alphabet printing blocks are coming with me to The Annual Dairy House Textile Day on Sunday 14th April. Click here for details. Hope to see you somewhere soon. Welcome to all new followers, it was great to note that there are over 400 of you lovely folk out there!

With a little help from....

I have just had a little trip away from home, and on my travels I met some lovely people. My first stop was here, The Viables Craft Centre where I found this wonderful barn and a lady called Gillian who transforms old furniture in these gorgeous surroundings....

Her business is called Les Jolies Choses. As well as selling furniture, there are many other treasures for sale in the barn...

Gillian will be joining the stallholders at The Vintage Bazaar in Hartley Wintney on Saturday April 27th. I have a real soft spot for this stunning location. An Arts and Crafts Hall built in the 1890s which is well maintained and used for all different types of events.

 My next stop was this shop in Fleet. I grew up in this town and remember this as the bakery. It was good to see the "Hovis" sign remains. Serendipity  is a super shop and has the added bonus of a tearoom! What more can a vintage gal ask for?

After a stroll around Fleet, it was onwards to Farnham for some serious Charity Shopping in the town. We also popped into Farnham Maltings where I shall be selling my vintage wares at the Farnham Vintage Fair on Sunday 2nd June.

We chanced upon this gorgeous little haven of textiles and creativity called Nature' Threads in Crookham Village. I got chatting to the lovely Sue who has very kindly offered to spread the word about The Hartley Wintney Vintage Bazaar to like-minded souls! Her shop is somewhere you might want to visit on the same day as the Vintage Bazaar if you are in the area as the Vintage Bazaar finishes at 3 pm, and Sue is open until 5 on Saturdays.
While on the subject of making and creativity, here is another super business called Asomo Crafts based in Hartley Wintney. Definitely a craft shop with a difference! On offer are a range of classes for all ages from children's workshops, after school clubs to adult classes in knitting, felting and much more. Check out the website for more information.

You can also buy on-line. They stock these metal buttons that you can cover with vintage fabric. I have been asked where you get these sooooo many times and now I have the answer! Thank you lovely ladies for your kind and friendly welcome to the area, see you soon! Lizzie

Time for Textiles

We have scarcely drawn breath since The Vintage Bazaar in Devizes last Saturday and it is time to load up the Blue van for another Vintage Bazaar event!

 This time we are off to the village of North Cadbury for The Textile and Rag Market in the Village hall.

 This lovely 1930s hall will be full to bursting with textiles, trimmings, linens, lace and much more!

 Check out The Vintage Bazaar blog or facebook page for full details....

Update; The next Textile Market in North Cadbury will be on Saturday 23rd November 2013.Doors open at 9 am and the fair will finish at 2 pm. If you are in the village, do check out this lovely local shop. The exterior reminds me of a Lines Brothers dolls house.

The Vintage Bazaar in Devizes

 Big apologies for the lack of posts over the past few weeks. The auction in Bristol has been an all consuming project.

 So, as the last lots from the sale are bagged-up and taken away with their new owners it is time to turn my attention to the other big project, The Vintage Bazaar in Devizes!

 This coming Saturday is an important day for Clare and I as we launch our new event at The Corn Exchange, The Market Place, Devizes,  SN10 1HS

  Doors open at 9.30 and the event will close at 3.30. Admission is £1 for adults (children free)

 We have gathered together our favourite stall holders and invited some new faces along too.

 Full details can be found on the dedicated blog, TheVintageBazaar.blogspot.com or on Facebook here.

Look forward to seeing you there!

Pale..and very interesting.....

As promised here are some more of the fabulous garments that will be up for auction on February 26th at The Collectors Sale at Dreweatts & Bloomsbury's Bristol saleroom. Above is a collection of dresses, lace and accessories taken from several different lots. Photographed by Evie of  Karezona Photography.

 All of these pretty dresses would be perfect for a Spring Wedding or Summer Ball.

 They can be viewed on-line here.

 Free on-line bidding is available, click here for details.

Above is the detail of a stunning Edwardian style dress. This was worn by the actress Susan Hampshire.

Beautiful accessories include straw hats, beaded evening bags, ostrich feathers and much more.....

These are some of my favourites...

Thank you to Vintage Explorer magazine for a fantastic write-up in this months copy of the Vintage Explorer. Do click to their page to find out how you can obtain a couple of this excellent publication. Viewing for the sale is on Saturday 23rd. 9.30 to 1 pm. Monday 25th. 9.30 to 6 pm and on the morning of the sale. If you need condition reports please email me at lhasselt@dnfa.com. For any other enquiries, the office number is 0117 973 7201.