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.

Hectic times!

Members of Young Farmers' club stockjudging teams practising their 'reasons' before being asked to explain the basis of their judgements. 

A very tiring week at the Royal Highland Show - busy preparing to go, busy there walking round the tarmacked roads of the showground in full sunshine, until my feet were so sore I had to buy orthopaedic looking sandals - the sort of thing you could put over a plaster cast-ed foot. (I'd show you a photo, but about 6 hours after I bought them, I walked through fresh dung and had to wash them under a tap; without going into too much detail, the tap gushed at great force and drenched me.) I came home exhausted and slept for the best part of the next few days.

Tilly, my Jack Russell, so charmed the staff of the Scottish Farmer, that her pic became the profile pic of SF on Facebook.

 A quick glimpse of some of the many crafts that caught my eye . . .

Carrie's unique soft furnishings . . .

top knotch knitwear from roddie and louie

McMac Vintage chest of drawers 

 Susan McGill designs

Barely had I caught up on sleep and work than I had to prepare to be on the road again, this time a short hop to Blairgowrie Antiques' Then and Now fair in the Angus Hotel. 

Nigel and Damian do a great job of publicising and promoting their fairs with adverts in an antiques magazine, roadside signs throughout a 20 mile radius of Blairgowrie and repeated notices on FB. I believe the mighty Neil Mackay of the Pend Emporium - does that make him an Emperor? - advertised privately in the local press, too. Thank you to everyone who promoted the sale, the reward came in the sales made.

As usual, Blairgowrie attracted a good footfall - of people who wanted to buy, rather than simply to spectate, which can happen at some events.

As is almost always the case at fairs, the neighbouring stallholders contributed greatly to my enjoyment of the day. Lesley Tweazle's Treasures above and Evelyn Treasurefinder below were on either side of me, with camera shy Peter slightly round the corner - but not round the bend - he is a great guide on antiques old and not so old!

My stall looked a little different from usual, I have been moving things around at home and have uncovered some hidden gems!

My decluttering moved on this weekend as I sold some bulky items - a tweed jacket, mohair cot blanket, a bulky Arran jumper and some crockery, as well as a length of truly vintage fabric, which - to me - justifies my attraction to it in the first place! 

A vintage 'art silk' camiknicker slip went to vintage heaven - Gladrags in Forfar - where it may reappear some day on a scantily clad lady or maybe a very well clad lady who insists on having the right, vintage, underwear to go with her vintage outer wear.

My camera's rechargeable batteries are gradually becoming un chargeable so I have very few pix - apologies to all those people and stalls I missed. I met a number of new faces, all of whom I hope to see again, ASAP.

"Thank you," to all who contributed to making it a great day for buyers, sellers and spectators!

Crafty Weekend

A very sleepy catch up post on my crafty weekend. The drive down to Falkland Summer Craft Fair was beautiful and the sun shone; the Falkland Community Hall was compact, but held a good variety of stalls including a cake and coffee stall run by organisers, Caren and Craig.

As well as hand made items, I had a small quantity of materials with me - pure wool in 2, 3 and 4 ply as well as Shetland lace weight and some double knitting; a few pieces of sewing fabric found new homes and helped to reduce my stash.

I met several new stallholders - Sandy with her cards.

 A lady whose name I don't know, with cushions and and pouches in beautiful tweeds.

Aileen Clark with her attractively designed stall of vividly coloured land and sea scapes in felt, prints of felt and jewellery made of strata of coloured silk. She even managed to co-ordinate her own outfit.

 Apologies for my lack of photos, I was - as usual on fair days - pretty tired.

The day was not very busy, but I didn't have as full an offering as I might have done. Torrential rain mid afternoon dampened spirits, but not before a surprising visitor appeared. 

 The royal party took a turn across to the hall from nearby Falkland Palace

and posed with Aileen's mugs.

Next day was outdoors at Stonehaven.

What is Tilly, my Jack Russell, so interested in?

 A lookalike?

 "Do you mind?"

Book sales helped to lighten my load, but I bought a very comfortable 'director' chair, a basket, plants and toffee. 

A Warm Weekend

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.