…..to all you lovely lot who made the weekend so busy and exciting! I kicked off the 2012 craft season with a vintage fair at The Imperial Hotel, Torquay on Saturday, swiftly followed by the Craft Hubs amazing Birdsong & Blossom Fair yesterday in Topsham. Both were well organised, well attended and good fun. I would not have survived either without my loyal pal Helene who kept me smiling throughout, even though I was feeling pretty rotten having had a stinky cold for a week! Thank you sweetie.

So now a few days to go until the second Exminster Market on Sat 7th April 9.30-12.30, then down to Cornwall for The Portscatho Homespun Fair on Easter Monday 10am – 3pm then a few days off before the 2 day Vintage Fair in South Molton on April 14th & 15th, 10am – 4pm! It’s very exciting being so busy. I have also just been contacted by the Rowcroft Hospice to get involved in a charity event in Torquay on May 3rd and also by one of the ladies organising the Exeter Cathedral Flower Festival in July, who thinks my candles would compliment the flowers on display beautifully – yippee! Better get cracking…..

Once upon a time there was a girl who just loved to paint……

This is what it says on the card of artist Marnie Maurri, who I discovered through facebook a couple of weeks ago. She went to the Slade school of fine art and now paints away all day doing private commissions, murals etc. I have put her in touch with a friend of mine who needs some illustrations for a childrens book which she has written and I am now the proud owner of one of her pictures. She has a unique, retro style. Check out her work at www.marniemakes.com

gorgeous new picture, hanging in my studio!

It’s been a busy old week on the candle front. The evening at The Coffee Rush went well and I met some new customers, also returning customers brought back their jelly moulds to be refilled.  I have just arranged a new Vintage Fair in South Molton on April 14/15th from 10am-4pm at The Assembly Rooms. For information on this fair, and others visit www.countryhousevintage.com

Anyway, best get cracking with my coconut candles which I have on the go today! I need to make sure all my crates are full to bursting in preparation for “All things Vintage & Lovely” on March 31st and The Craft Hub’s “Birdsong & Blossom” fair on April 1st which are fast approaching….

Don’t forget you can purchase candles through my Etsy shop if you can’t make it to any of the fairs I’m doing in the SouthWest this year (PeagreenFurnitureCo) and you can follow me on facebook too….

Whilst fulfilling an order for my friends yurts I decided to add some citronella candles to my range as they look cute and make practical pressies for gardeners, BBQ-ers, campers & all those who love to be in the great outdoors!

And I’ve only just recovered from last weekend which we spent in London, catching up with friends & family, taking the kids to see The Wanted at the O2 (bearable because I got to see my lovely pal Lucy and stare at the one with the shaved head – who I think is called Max?) Sad, I know!

Have spent this week doing orders, filling up my crates ready for the craft fair chaos that lies ahead, listening to Jagwar Ma (a new discovery) and today I’m supposed to be doing housework, but I can’t be bothered!

Don’t forget the Coffee Rush evening this Thursday at 7pm, all you peeps who need Mothers Day presents, I’ll see you there…..

My friend Nikki has just become an Auntie…again! So have spent some of today making this garland for her new neice in Australia.  I love a little project!

Blimey what a busy week this is turning out to be! Whilst doing my voluntary shift in our village shop yesterday I was asked to supply some little wrapped candles for them to sell – great for Mothers Day and less calories than an egg for Easter!  A few minutes later in walks Peter Hunt, a local organic farmer, who opened his new venture Rocombe Valley Retreat last year. He has put yurts, bell tents and a shepherds hut on his beautiful farm, you can even fish in the well stocked lakes! To add a bit of local “ambience” he has asked me to make some candles for his visitors to enjoy whilst chilling out in the evening, nice relaxing scents for the accomodation and some citronella ones to use outside whilst wining and dining! How exciting!

love, love, love this house...wish it was mine!

I’ve just found out that due to a cancellation I am able to do the fantastic Portscatho Homespun Fair on Easter Monday. I love The Roseland Peninsula and what a great excuse to have a few days away with the family. My partner’s cousin has a beautiful house by the sea in Downderry and fortunately we are able to stay there from time to time – turns out this is one of those times…YIPPEE!

It will be the first craft/vintage fair that I have  taken my candles to outside of Devon, so I’m very excited to see how it works out. It is from 10am – 3pm at The Memorial Hall on April 9th. Let’s hope this lush weather holds…

I had a lovely lunch in the sun with my Mum today at “Hannahs” in the old Seale Hayne Agricultural College on the Ashburton Road. What a fab place it is with a reasonable  restaurant, local Sharpham wine,  loads of seating outside and in and such beautiful surroundings. There is a gallery, a retro shop, a new hydro swimming pool (open to the public) and artists studios – all owned and run by a local charity  – make sure you check it out. They need volunteers too…

my lovely Mum, in the sun at Hannahs, Seale Hayne

It is the first day of the new Exminster market this Saturday, it will then take place on the first Saturday of every month (apart from December when due to prior hall commitments it will be on the 15th) Unfortunately I will not be there until next month as I’m off to the O2 to take my girls to see The Wanted (yawn) Good luck guys!

This is Ethel and Gertie, they sit by my monitor and keep me company while I mess around on facebook, spotify, email, asos, ebay and various other random things which I like to call “work” !!! I don’t know why I ever considered myself capable of working from home when every year my school report said “Samantha is too easily distracted” no change there then! At least I was consistent.  Anyway, it’s too late now and with 21 fairs booked for 2012 so far I’d better start applying myself quite frankly!

My lovely pal Helene has just returned from Wales with loads of vintage glass goodies for me. Unfortunately for her the weather was crap, this however was fortunate for me as she sought refuge in the welcoming bosom of the local charity shops! I’ve got a bit of a thing for vintage coloured glass at the mo. and she managed to find loads. It looks great with candles in, especially “Key Lime Pie” in green cut glass vases, yum! Fall in love with your old tat all over again at Peagreen Furniture – that should be my strapline!

gorgeous glass...

I have finally got myself on Etsy this week, although I’ve only got jelly moulds in the shop at the moment I will endeavour to add my new line of vintage knickerbockerglory glasses (which burn for about 80 hours) A bargain at £10 me thinks! They hold half a pint of wax so you know what that means…..half a pint of ice cream when the candle has finished!