A Week of Two Ends

Oops! last week was so busy, I didn't manage to post the pix from the weekend's fairs and now I have another weekend to post.

Last day of November was Funk Fair at Roseangle, Dundee. 

A good day, not as busy as when in the Queen's hotel, but I met some new faces and I came away a little lighter than I arrived, selling some bulky items, including crockery which doesn't often sell well in Dundee.

Candles moving for Christmas!

Next day was the Vintage Bazaar at Edzell 

and some very bulky stuff moved - 

a very heavy coat and a cardboard box which has not benefitted from travelling in the back of the car,

also some 'still in the box' harlequin coloured, sets of glasses, 

and that is a small load off my mind 

as I dread breaking glasses every time I unpack them.

Overall, a successful weekend.

This weekend saw a new event, due to be repeated some time next year. 

 Blairgowrie Antiques held an Antique and Vintage Fayre in the Angus hotel, Blairgowrie.

The event was very well publicised in local and trade press,  

 fliers diligently distributed at other sales 

 and roadside signposts directing travellers throughout the surrounding district. 

 The strategy worked and attracted a good number of well travelled buyers, 

 and sellers.

 I sold crockery,

 candles, fabric and a jacket amongst other things 

and the single event compared well with recent 'two fair' weekends.

Wonderful Winter Weekend!

Another great weekend, with two successful events in two very different places.

Full marks to Emma for organising the Curious Christmas Market in Kirriemuir, which was maybe less a Curious Christmas event than a Marvellous Market - of the Christmas variety.

There were wonders and marvels, as well advertised - Full Marks again for the huge banner hung over the wall of the Guide Hall into the co-cop car park informing anyone who didn't know that the market was on.

Yet again, I had two - in fact three, two on one stall -  lovely neighbours. Seamstress and costumier Susan on one side and Michael the mini helicopter pilot - or more correctly, the controller of the mini helicopter camera who was helping out on the Kirrie Art Gallery stall along with the lovely Lisa from the gallery.

A good mixture of stalls, well attended by local patrons and the further flung, including the magnificent Karen, the driving force behind the Bizarre Beach Bazaar.

My camera batteries - 3 sets of ageing rechargables -  were not in good fettle (I think they discharge when not in the camera) so my pix are limited, but I wish I had taken a pic of Karen, who managed to combine black mourning garb, after a close family bereavement, with the festive touch of a sparkly red frill round the hem of her gown.

A nice local event ended very considerately with mince meat pies and mulled wine for stallholders.

Next day was Drouthy's market in Perth Road, Dundee, and I managed that without having to repack the car - a great bonus. Thank you to lovely Freya, her sister and all at Drouthy's for various help, including a great many gentlemen holding doors open and to the chef for free samples of his second best cake!

It is a quaint, cosy venue, with the odd advantage that anyone upstairs in the pub lands in the middle of the market, en route to the toilets.

One well oiled, middle aged man said his mind was blown to discover that people had gathered to hold a market in the pub basement on a Sunday afternoon, he said he couldn't take it in, and I believe I heard the word 'surreal' used!

I had a lovely neighbour, who I have met before but not really spoken to, to any great extent - Susan of Pepped-Up-Studio - and we had a companionable, crafty afternoon.

It is a small venue for a market, but with a good variety of high quality handmade goods and artworks. I had a rail of vintage coats and winter woolies and a small table of candles and gadget cosies.

I sold to a number of fellow traders and some lovely customers, including a young man who couldn't believe that he could buy 100% silk ties at a bargain price, so he bought two!

A girl with model looks and high quality modelling experience was very flattering in her appraisal of my rail and thought I must be representing an entire vintage shop.

I met stall holders I see regularly at other fairs and some new people with entirely new and quirky products.

I expect to see some stall holders and customers next week at Funk Fair in Roseangle and hope to meet others again, if I manage to return to Drouthy's. December 15th 'clashes' with Gin in Teacups in Chamber East, but I hope the two events can team up to offer a great, joint shopping experience I certainly hope to meet everyone I met this weekend again, and I hope to see some of them very soon!

Another Day, Another Excellent Fair

 After the success of Coupar Angus Christmas fair, I had to make more candles for next day -

at Karen's Bizarre Beach Bazaar.

It included the anticipated collection of wonders and surprises,

 from moustachioed ladies, 

(including the gaffer) and live music,

 from DIY - or participatory - crafts -

to the ready made;

from the traditional handcrafts, 

through the whimsical 

to the zombie world.

Once again, I had two particularly lovely . . .

 stall neighbours,

 and I hope to meet both of them - Ashley and Beverly - again.

The event attracts a diverse audience,

from the blue rinsed . . . to the green;

and talents  

from soothsayers

 to soapmakers.

 A grand day out that genuinely offers something for everyone.