Cancelled at short notice

APOLOGIES to all! The Cats Meaow vintage fair at Alford has been CANCELLED by the organiser,  100% Vintage Aberdeenshire, with less than 24 hours notice with no explanation given.

Anyone looking for lovely vintage crockery can contact me directly by commenting here or through my facebook page ruralreads I'm not sure if this link will work, as the address shows as facebook/home !!! Sorry, folks.

Hi, Summer!

Well it is definitely summer now and we have had great weather. Monday afternoon in a sheltered field in Aberdeenshire was almost unbearably hot. Barley in Angus is turning and some has turned - ready to cut - just!

Chic Retro sale in the Burnett Arms in Banchory was on a hot day and it was thought that this may have affected the footfall, and certainly anyone with children would almost certainly have had other priorities than hunting out vintage!

I was delighted to sell a compact 'phone table' - an unknown concept to the current generation - with a surface for the phone and a shelf below to house the 'telephone directory'. The 'splayed', wooden legs unscrew, so it is easily moved and or stored, but it has been taking up space in my life for too long and it will add a vintage vibe to someone else's life.

I also sold some Carlton ware dishes, one of which had a small ceramic butter knife. I have been in constant fear of breaking it, so I'm glad it has gone to an appreciative home with more space than I have, to store a ceramic knife safely.

At the end of the event, I made a good follow up sale which was discussed at the last fair, and left with a strong note of interest in 'something at home'.

This weekend although there were no fairs, I met up with lovely Rosa who bought a suitably lovely rose patterned tea set and produced an equally suitably lovely young man to hold the precious crockery safe, home in the car.

Looking north again, to Alford next weekend. Meanwhile, plants and sapling trees are being planted on Deeside.  

Several News!

Lots of new things - first, a new (for me) venue -  Ministry of Crafts in Crown Terrace, Aberdeen. a lovely Church. Not the Church hall, but a lovely space which, I presume, has been converted to be adaptable for many different functions, including Church services.

A slightly new look to my stall, under the influence of my lovely assistant, my niece Grace who helped me to set up and pack away again. "Thank you, Grace," and to Paul, for taking Tilly the dog while I was in the Ministry.

My previous experience of Aberdeen is that crockery sold well, and indeed I got off to a very good start, but it slowed down as the day went on although people were coming through the door.

On the brighter side, there were a couple of enquiries which I hope may lead to sales in the future.

I met new neighbours - Dawn and Roger. I have seen their stall of retro toys before, but never really met either of them. They were friendly neighbours and contributed to an enjoyable day. 

There were some interesting stalls and talented crafts people, that were certainly new to me - this textile designer for one,

and this very varied stall which demonstrated a range of artistic abilities. I tend to choose a plain look, but the lady on this stall impressed with her range of illustrative finishes, decoupage, free hand painting and special effects.  

As well as the new there was the familiar and Jilly Tait of Bottled Treasures was opposite me, this was one of her last fairs before she moves to Falkland. Good Luck, Jilly, hope to see you again, maybe further south!

Once more, the camera battery situation started to falter so I don't have many pictures, so sorry to those I haven't snapped.