A surprisingly nice weekend started with a small local-ish village craft fair and market at Birnam, in Perthshire, in aid of the Scottish Charity Air Ambulance.
I shared a stall, and on a lovely sunny day sold some teacup candles which seemed pretty unseasonal, to me, but they will keep - in a cool place, please. (I had a minor incident when I opened a candle that had 'overheated' in the sunshine.
The sales were limited but I was delighted to meet up with friends, Valerie and Jackie, whom I hadn't seen for many years.
The fair was organised by a couple, Lachlan and Gillian, whom I used to meet through work, once a year, and it was nice to see them again, in a new occupation, and with the addition of two little boys.
I met a new stallholder with a fantastic selection of 'upcycled' products, a painted telephone table 'embellished' with an elegant floral motif, 'decoupaged'(?) side tables, a range of cushions, footstools and other things, too numerous to mention.
Maureen doesn't have a name for her stall, "Well, it's not a business, it's just a hobby." She doesn't charge very much, "Well, I just make things out of other things, so it doesn't cost me much to make them."
It seems Maureen doesn't have enough confidence in her self and her work, but if she pays attention to the reactions of her happy customers, she'll surely realise that her goods are very attractive, highly desirable and immensely popular. She sold a number of cushions, footstools and side tables, proving that people will buy if they see what they like and feel they are getting a bargain.
"Thank you," to Dee who puts a great deal of work into keeping most of Perthshire right on stalls, fairs and fun days in and around Tayside. Dee is a great animal lover and friend to any lost or strayed dog. On Saturday, she adopted my noisy and confrontational Jack Russell, Tilly, and kept her at her 'doggy treats' stall.
Next day was different, but not SO different.
The venue was Drouthy's pub in Dundee, a cosy howff, described by one person as 'a winter pub' and indeed, the basement where the market is held IS decorated with dark varnished woodwork, but brightly spot lit over the tables.
It is very much a Makers' Market with some very original makers, including artists, illustrators, publishers and jewellery and 'fabric' makers. I sneaked my vintage rail in, with permission and it seems to match the demographic of the market goers.
Plastix poster man with his best friend
Lesley-Anne Kelly, the woman who put the cross into cross stitch, with - in her own words - "my charming brand of oddly aggressive cross stitched homewares and accessories!"
Magdalen Green photography.
Friends and neighbours, Whimsical Lush and Zombie Pussy, Suzanne and Emma - and a shopper with a Magdalen Green Photography print, apparently.
Feltmaker, Linda Thomson, with whom I had a great time, as a neighbour, at a fair in St Andrews, two years ago! It was lovely to meet Linda again and to realise we are both going to the same market at Newburgh next week. I think Linda's Couthie Designs are far more exciting and exotic than the name suggests - judge for yourself.
Lively and slightly whimsical designs from Starryeyed Crafts, overseen by a number of bunny rabbits.
Artificial Womb - a feminist zine, which is proving to be a financial success, well done, to the camera shy publisher.
Last time I was here Audrey was knitting christmas decs and bunting in this wee nook. She's still there, still knitting, but moved on to baby bunting! - and cushions. (she has been out, though; she has a tan.)
Freya with her very accomplished prints and cards - or should that be the accomplished Freya with her imaginative prints and cards? You decide.
It was a lovely sunny day outside, so people were not greatly drawn to visit the basement market, but it was nice to meet stall holders, off duty stall holders and past customers. There was even time to swap stories and look forward to forthcoming events. A lovely lady bought one of my favourite sets of crockery BEFORE I took any pix, but I have photographed it before, so that's OK, and I am really glad the new owner appreciates the set as much as I do! A further sale off the rail meant that I covered the cost of the table and had enough to go shopping for Danish pastries on the way home! "Thank you," too, to Freya, who took account of the quiet day and reduced the table cost accordingly. It was a gesture that was very much appreciated, and one which other organisers would do well to consider. "Thank you," too, to Drouthy's staff for general good nature and interest in the stalls.
Special bonus! After last week's Little Birds Market I had follow on sales.
Someone enquired about tea sets for a specific purpose - for drinking something stronger than tea from - and today, picked up two 12 piece sets. On top of that, a woman saw last week's table on FB and saw a 21 piece set she hadn't noticed at the market. We met up during the week and she went away with a gorgeous new tea set. I now have a little bit more space than I had before and my Little Birds' sales have almost tripled in size, in a week.
