It poured today, torrentially at times - with pausing into drizzle at others. It REALLY affected the footfall and I had plenty of time to go for a wander around. Several of my dealer friends who had been doing this Fair for many years were absent - although one was having a knee op. The two "posh" buildings were half empty. As the Fair has been bought out by another company, they are clearly a new broom sweeping clean. This would appear to be the same for the catering pitches - NONE of the ones which had been there for decades were there, but two or three brave individuals had filled spaces, but who wants to pay £13 for a Greek snack lunch? Or £7.50 for a burger in a bun? However, the date did clash with important Fairs in the South - Ardingly and Detling, and dealers who are permanently on the road, moving from Fair to Fair, would stay down south and not bother to come up to Wales only to go back again a day or two later. The back sheds (where I am) seem to still be well supported with dealers, but there were noticably less outside stalls and NONE at the far end which has always been full to bursting with spread-out stands and vendors sleeping in their vans by them. Disappointing for folk visiting. . . I sold 3 things all day . . .
Whilst I was browsing their stall, and nattering, my eye fell on a lovely old hand-written recipe book, many from the 1940s/50s. I asked the price, and it is now mine. I will write about it tomorrow, when I have done a bit more research on the lady who it belonged to.
Meanwhile, I have my asthma check and my 2nd Shingles jab tomorrow morning. Hope I don't get any side effects.
Lovely walk through. Sad the fair is dwindling tho. Your friend's booth always is lovely, she has the stuffed hearts and I liked the tiny prim child in blue dress painting. The roses quilt is beautifully quilted. The smock is outstanding! A friend and i were chatting about learning and doing hand smoking. We had focused on child's garments. Her girls are adults now, and i am so slow----perhaps the skill could be aimed at an adult garment instead, something to consider. Thanks again. I ll be back later to reread details and enlarge your pics. So enjoyable
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lizzy
Of course, the adult smocks were worn by farm workers, back in Victorian times. I love the individual patterns on them, dependent upon the county they were made in.
Delete'smocking" not smoking, obs.
ReplyDeleteSome interesting bits and bobs there. Not sure that bed-head would be good for a peaceful night!
ReplyDeleteI think someone's son had nightmares from it!
DeleteSeeing your photos from the fairs that you do, highlights to me how much I have changed over the last ten or so years. I no longer see much that I like, and even less that I would want. Although a lovely old recipe hand-written book might make me reach into my purse. I now feel the need to jettison things rather than acquire them, and as none of the younger members of the family would be even slightly interested in inheriting things there seems little point in. Which is a real shame, but just how it is.
ReplyDelete"Fashions" have really changed, Traditional antiques still have a place but the antiques knowledge that many buyers once had, has skipped the younger generation - who were bought up on Bargain Hunt and the detritis that brings up. Everything has to be absolutely perfect - even if 200 years old! Our kids were bought up to appreciate antiques but don't have the room for them. G and D still in small flats and T in an already crammed with "stuff" small house. T carries the flag though and loves antiques.
DeleteWhat gorgeous pottery. Harvey would need to drag me away from that stall.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
The Clarice Cliff (and others) was a good display.
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