Down in the doldrums - Fair report

 Not my finest hour.  I am at present contemplating if it is worth more investment, but I need to give the Unit the full 3 months and hope the next couple of Fairs might even things out.  Otherwise, a giant half price sale in the spring and draw a line under it all.  I said I was in the doldrums . . .  I worked out that the profit margins on what I paid for the 3 items I sold first thing (to other dealers) plus the couple of pounds on the ONE item sold to a walk-in customer for £9 (bought so long ago I haven't a clue what it cost, but probably four or five pounds) didn't even cover my pitch fee of £45, let alone the diesel for the journey.

Other folks' stands, as I know some of you like seeing them, and including some from the last Fair.

A really lovely Welsh blanket.  That won't have come cheaply.

Looks lovely, but I draw the line at selling used paint brushes and old paint spattered painting cans. . .  not me.

This friend always finds amazing things which the dealers drool over.

The French shabby chic look. Really lovely.  I don't channel this and don't cross the Channel to buy French stuff either . . .

Another fab old Welsh blanket from the last Fair.

Aren't they all lovely and original?  My purse doesn't run to potted plants for window dressing.  Wish it did.

The horse's head drawing is dated 1913, and the girl went on to be a Milliner (I researched her on Ancestry).  I have enjoyed it a good few years now, 10 I think.  Got it in Brecon Auction back in the day, but it is time to have less "stuff" and I thought a horsey friend was coming to the Fair and might have been tempted.  She didn't show.

I am hoping someone will buy my signed and boxed copies of Richard Bebb's amazing 2 volume opus on Welsh vernacular furniture.  He has missed nothing out and Keith and I used to love visiting his shop in Kidwelly.  When his books were launched, we went down to buy our set and get them signed.  Quite collectable now.  I no longer need to own them.  I will stick with Victor Chinnery's book about  oak furniture.  The stone next to the gloves is a serpentine carving from Zimbabwe.  I think Keith must have found it at an old boot sale in Carmarthenshire when we lived there.  A dust gatherer from his gran's dresser.  All the pieces to the left on the small stand are from a forgotten box from the stables.  


I unpacked the car this morning, did a load of washing and hung it out on the wooden clothes horses ("Maidens" is what they were called in Manchester) and have them all dry.  I've done the shopping, and read more of my book.  I made a Hungarian Goulash for my tea tonight, served with wholegrain, red and wild rice, plus runner beans I've grown in the garden.  They couldn't be any fresher.  Looking forward to my mini bottle of wine this evening.

My gosh, that hit the spot!