Like minded people ...

For me one of the most rewarding aspects of selling my wares at antique and vintage fairs is the people I meet.  Everyone is there for the same reason - we have a shared loved of the beautiful, bizarre, amazing, enduring items from a time gone by.  The things that some people wouldn't give houseroom we love and save, restore and enjoy.  I really do look forward to seeing my regular customers and meeting new ones.  Of course, there are also the other stallholders - I see some of them at least once a month; more often than I see many members of my family and my other close friends!  One of the stallholders that I see regularly has become a good friend and we met up for a coffee at Barrington Court on Thursday.  Mrs J - thank you for a lovely morning and for topping up my supply of THE best redcurrant jelly!  When we meet up we talk non-stop, hardly pausing for breath it seems, time flying by.  In fact ...  there could well be a couple of donkeys with no hind legs pirouetting near Barrington! 

I am now also lucky enough to have the friendship of so many of you wonderful bloggers,  supporting each other across the globe.  Amazing!

After picking up little man from school I scuttled off to one of my favourite haunts to see if I could replenish my linen stocks.  I found no linens worth having, but instead bought some lovely sheet music (for me to keep) and these beauties:

A beautiful, sparkly cake stand of grand proportions and, unusually, it is square.  It is much bigger than any I have had for a while and is very weighty.  A real centrepiece.  Demands a masterpiece patisserie confection, piled high with light as a feather cream, festooned with sugar roses and dripping with the sweetest strawberries. 

Bah, now I have that image in my mind and no cake in the house ... pass me another chocolate pleeease darling.

Pretty hand painted cups to replenish my supplies of cup candles and pin cushions.

Another big, heavy statement piece that could be used unusually in any room in the house.  A wonderfully over the top dish with sea creature handles and lots of decoration.  If I had the space to keep this one I would use it on my boudoir dressing table (if I had either a boudoir or a dressing table!) to hold my precious trinkets and to drape with necklets of sparkling jewels.  They would glisten in the candlelight as I brush my long red hair 100 times with a silver backed brush whilst waiting for my prince to arrive. 

A sweet little Moet & Chandon glass cooler petite liquorelle cooler.  A lovely little addition to the display on your drinks cabinet.

I had no intention of buying glass but you know how it is.  You go with something in mind and come away with something completely different.  I ususally try and avoid too much glass as it is cumbersome and heavy for me to carry around, although it is a delight to the eye when displayed on my stall with the whiteness of the linen and lace.  These pieces though, called out, and had to come home. 

Have a good weekend, one and all.  And, Happy Father's Day to all you deserving dad's out there.  My own pop is coming for tea and what culinary delight has he requested ...?  Ham, egg and chips with a good glass of red!! 

PS:  Whilst at Barrington, I checked on Charles - he is doing just fine.  He is living happily with several other terriers but he is definitely 'top dog'!