As you know I love teacups and feel they should be used and appreciated which is often difficult in our busy lives. Not everyone has time to mess about with cups and saucers when you can sling a teabag in a mug and run. They often have to be washed by hand as the dishwasher will ruin the gold gilding. So most of the time they left in a cupboard and brought out when Grandma visits. That's one of the reasons I started to create items with them making home decorations and gifts as we get see and use the pretty things and they're environmentally friendly too as it's up-cycling at it's best! Here's one one my teacups in stock at the minute it's so pretty and a very delicate china.. At first I started to make cake stands, with plates then as my confidence grew with teacups. This one below was my first 4 tier with a teacup and its still my favourite and probably always will be. I just think it's stunning. It's miss match but complements each other beautifully. I now have more designs of stands than I can recall, it's a good job I take pictures. The quirkier the better, I love using jugs, bowls, teapots and more. here's a small selection. But I do have more, I look back now and can see how much I've evolved and learned along the way. I hope to share another selection with you sometime soon as I originally sat down to tell you some news about my chandeliers and share some of them with you but some how it turned into cake and jewellery stands. I'll leave you with another favourite of mine this china jewellery mountain.
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Who remembers the summer? When we could wear our flip flops, enjoy a BBQ or a day at the beach. Okay our summers aren't great but I'm starting to appreciate them now the colds developing. Here's a vintage glass pear I found in those lovely warm times and created a tea light holder or bird feeder. A lovely fellow designer bought this piece as a gift, you must check out her facebook page https://www.facebook.com/designs.elisabeth and her Etsy shop https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/SilverbyElisabeth My favourite is the seahorse neck lace. Here's the vintage glass pear in it's new home and it's new use. The receiver of the gift chose to use it as a bird feeder!
It's been a busy few days getting everything ready but I made it and enjoyed the day. It's a lovely fair and well decorated, organised and advertised. as you can tell from this pic it was very busy. It was lovely to catch up with some of my local customers especially when they say " We've been looking for you, knew you were coming, saw it on facebook." good old facebook! Plus lots of lovely feedback from new customers and hopefully future customers. It's always nice to hear "I've bought your items before and I love them" Here's a few pics of my stall and items before we opened. There was lots of things going on lovely vintage cars outside although it did rain, you could have your hair done in vintage style and there was some lovely outfits both stall holders and shoppers male and female. a RAF uniform won the best dressed unfortunately I was too busy to get lots of pictures but I did get this fine lady. I managed to sample the coffee and cake, during a quieter moment and watch some of the vintage dancing. They did have some dancers showing how it's done but I'm afraid missed that! All in all it was a fantastic day although I'm pooped and ready to eat my body weight in Chinese takeaway. I don't know how some of them go back for the evening do too!
We're half way through the working week are you ready for Friday? I fear I'll run out of time as I have a vintage fair on Saturday and all my items have to be set up on the stall Friday afternoon. Something is bound to give as I'll have to rush back to pick up my son from school. I'll be ready for glass of wine by the evening. Here's a Mad hatter Jewellery stand I created this week with the fair in mind. I'v got a few bird feeders nearly finished, and some all ready packed here's my display stand I use for the feeders. it's an old picture so I have a lot more different bird feeder designs available now. I'll also take vintage items in their original form as well as a selection of my other makes. I had the joyous job of ironing all the linens e.t.c this morning, at least they're easier than shirts! But it will be a lovely day it's inside so no worries about the weather, lots of other stalls, tea room, vintage hair styles and live music. (there is a evening vintage dance too) I was at the same fair last year and I was amazed at the lovely outfits. Some of the customers and sellers really look the part! Here's a pic of the details of the fair so if your in the area pop in and say hello. the event is organized by a local worthy charity http://www.lindseylodgehospice.co.uk/
Yesterday was spent creating, here's a customer commission, mad hatter cake or jewellery stand. created using the customers vintage miss match china. This is a great way to use your old china, but it's not as easy as it looks. You will break your china and hurt your back if you don't have the experience or the right equipment. Luckily I have both but occasionally even I break a piece in the making. I have also done customer commissions for families at a sad time. This one below was the first commission I did, for a family who had lost their beloved grandma and mother. Each piece was made for a member of the family so they could use it and have it displayed instead of just a teacup in the cupboard. I was honoured to create them and hope Grandma approved. Such pretty china if I spot any of this design I'll definitely be buying some for myself.
I'm so excited as I've now got my new logo and it's fabulous! It's been created by Angie Marie Designs here's her facebook page https://www.facebook.com/Angela-Marie-Designs-446201862109534/ and their twitter page https://twitter.com/AngelaMDesign. you must check them out! Angie sells her lovely designs in The Gallery, something old something new in Barton. see my previous blogs for more info on the gallery if you a designer wishing to sell you wares or a shopper looking for something unique. Angie has also done me a hard copy for my office/work room which will look gorgeous framed on the wall. I love the way she's used the detail of my house and included my designs, the bird table with bird feeders hanging and a table set for tea. All I need to do now is convince the hubby to paint the house pink!!
Just a quick one tonight, I've been so busy all day. It's flown by and it's Friday tomorrow already. Luckily I love Thursday's my treasure hunting day although at 8..30 this morning I wished I'd put gloves on, there was a definite chill in the air. Thursdays are sociable days too I get to mix with antique dealers and other small like minded businesses, we catch up and have a giggle especially when Mr Bell accidentally ran over Maggie's antique pictures. It's a good job I had a good day with others as the china picking was low and the only piece I came home with was this pretty teacup not a saucer to go with it either!
I've sold another one of these bespoke Mad Hatter China Mountains. They make great jewellery stands, unique ornaments, home decorations and could be used for a statement table centre piece for sweets and chocolates. Here's the first one I ever created. I love making these as I never quite know how they'll turn out, although it is a long job as each piece has to be held until it sets and then repeat with the next piece. It sure does give you arm ache but at least I'm keeping bingo wings at bay! I better get hunting for more vintage china as this is the only one left in stock, which is great because that means I get to make another.
A mad rush this morning to get out the house for treasure hunting, only slept through my alarm! Your probably thinking I'm mad setting an alarm on a Sunday, and your probably right. But there's always time for a nana nap in the afternoon. Today's destination was Hemswell car boot and market a fabulous place for vintage and new items. It's one of the biggest Sunday Market and carboot sales in the country with over 800 stalls trading each week. Ideally located, near Caenby Corner at the junction of the A15 and A631 and only 10 miles from the M180. With unlimited parking facilities, toilets and food stalls, indoor and outdoor. Pic taken from cliptec.com Here's one of my teacup finds from today, There's quite a lot more to the set but I need to check it all and give it a clean. I did get a little distracted though as TV crews were there filming for the next series of Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is, allegedly. But it could have been Bargain Hunt, Secret Dealers for all I know. As I never watch them, I may have to now. Just hope I don't spot myself after running out the house and looking my worst. Here's Kate Bliss and the crew (although not the best photo's) and from what I saw she got a bargain too! Are you ready for a cosy Saturday night in or getting your glad rags on for a big night out? Have a great one and remember that pint of water before you go to bed, don't ruin Sunday with a hangover! If your staying in, Strictly or X factor? Strictly for me. I love the dancing, the outfits and sparkle. Some of the beautiful outfits give you a real glimpse of vintage glamour. Here's a picture of a vintage handbag I sold only big enough for your dance card and lippy though.
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