Category Archives: vintage

Plymouth, Plymouth & more Plymouth…

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I have decided that Plymouth needs to become a bigger part of my life as being situated halfway between Plymouth and Exeter I always “pop into Exeter” rather than “pop down to Plymouth” and having spent the weekend there (Saturday at a vintage fair in the Guildhall)

and Sunday on a family adventure which involved much exploration of The Barbican, a boat trip along to Devonport, pasties (yum) ice creams (yum) and childish giggles from my 11 and 14 year old girls everytime we mentioned Plymouth Ho! (I don’t need to explain do I?)

If I had any spare cash (lol) I would invest in a little flat by The Barbican as one day it will be the place to go. It has undergone a transformation and is full of lovely restaurants, shops & bars, as we wandered around I couldn’t help thinking that if it was in London you wouldn’t be able to move – let alone get a waterside seat to eat your lunch. Beryl Cook would have a right shock if she could see it now.

One of the best sights that day was this 1950’s Morris ice-cream van, I wanted to steal it and drive it home….

As you can see we were not blessed with any sunshine (other than the sunshines that we took with us!) It was good fun though and well worth the trip, must return to my “Amaretto” candles now & pick up the monsters from school.

The Vintage Bazaar, roast chicken & Christmas candles…

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…my favourite day is the kind we had on Sunday, when it poured with rain and I got to indulge myself with my favourite things.

Snuggling under a blanket on the sofa in front of a roaring fire with a roast chicken in the oven watching films with the family, an early night (after Downton Abbey) in clean sheets with a tummy full of crumble & cream, yummy wine and that satisfied feeling that comes with knowing everything is prepared for the manic Monday morning that lies ahead.

I love this time of year. Enjoying crisp, cold, sunny mornings and the smell of my Christmas candles permeating the house as I prepare for my busiest time of  year. Lot’s of baking, eating and early nights. Visits to deserted Devon beaches and dinner parties with pals.

I have a studio full of gorgeous bits and pieces waiting to be filled with gingerbread, amaretto, snowball, mulberry and frankincense and myrrh candles. The Vintage Bazaar was brilliant on Saturday in Hampshire and not only did I nearly sell out,  I managed to purchase some gorgeous sets of china. This rare 1950’s coffee set from Sophie at fading grace is one of them…

Each cup and saucer in this coffee set from France (which I bought from a lovely lady called Kitty) is an exquisite delicate pastel shade.  I am about to fill them with snowball scented candles, a kind of milky, hot toddy scent – yum!

A lady called Elise, who has a shop in Pangbourne selling vintage furniture, linens and accessories, nearly cleared me out of jelly moulds (she bought 10 for her shop!) The lovely Ali from Betty & Violet invited me to stall at a Vintage Christmas Boutique which she is organising at Woburn Abbey on November 15th. Looks like it will be a gorgeous day out, but such a trek for me from Devon so I’m mulling it over. My next fair is All things Vintage & Lovely on Saturday 29th September in the Guildhall, Plymouth….see you there x

Cath Kidston Candles…

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One of my pals bought me some Cath Kidston enamel beakers which I didn’t really need and it seemed a shame to keep them just for camping (especially with the weather we’ve been having lately!) Anyway, I decided to make them into candles (still up-cycling I feel…?) I popped a little picture of them onto facebook and low and behold……within 2 hours I had sold all six of them! Everyone loves a bit of Cath obviously!                                                                                            

I have been madlly making candles ready for the Christmas rush. Crikey was busy in Exeter on Saturday, this Saturday I’ll be in Hartley Wintney, Hampshire to do The Vintage Bazaar and on September 29th I’ll be at Plymouth Guildhall to do All Things Vintage and Lovely.  Sara, from Honeysuckle Homes Interiors in Torquay, has ordered 30 candles to be delivered this week and I’m in discussions with “Kiss the Frog Again” in Bath (a gorgeous vintage emporium) about a possible wholesale order!

I love this little old mustard pot (with spoon!) which I couldn’t resist filling with a “roses” candle. I forgot to unpack it at Crikey so I’ll be taking it to Hampshire with me on Saturday (bet it won’t be on the stall for long!) I have just ordered all my Christmas scents and will be doing a new one “Cherry Amaretto” along with my usual favourites (Gingerbread, Snowball, Mulberry, Frankincense & Myrhh, Coffee Caramel Cream and Creme Brulee) alongside all current best sellers. I will now start to phase out the Summer scents but all are available to order.

I have been collecting old ceramic moulds as they make gorgeous candles, although they are more expensive to buy than the glass ones I think for a special gift they would be perfect. I’d better go and do some work now, I’ve got a bride in St Marychurch waiting for a delivery of vintage cups & saucers to give as gifts at her wedding on Saturday, I’m doing my voluntary shift in our village shop from 1-3pm and I have to get to the bank, buy some food and make a lasagne (not to mention finishing off the Mulberry candles which are setting all over the kitchen…..

 

 

New vintage finds….

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After weeks of no blogging here I am again but I couldn’t resist posting some photos of the goodies to come………………..

My favourite colour, which I have been collecting up to make a nice display on my stall, I also have a green Sylvac sauce boat and a green Royal Worcester pedestal bowl currently full of wet wax!

I was extremely lucky to find these vintage “Maling” lustreware dishes in mint condition. Such gorgeous colours and very RARE I almost can’t bear to part with them…..

I’m loving these jam pots that I have been collecting, I think they’ll make great Christmas presents filled with candles….

Spain, Bude, Bath……& candles!

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Life is a whizzing by at the moment, in a flurry of friends, family, travel & candles (not enough creating of the latter I might add!)  Since my last post, far too long ago, I have managed (amazingly) to spend a day with my family in the sun on the beach! I bid farewell to my Aunt who returned to her life in Canada after a four week visit, the girls and I had a trip to the hairdressers – & I came out looking quite posh I might add!

I’ve been to Spain to see one of my oldest, dearest pal’s for 6 nights on my own, which was wonderful (thanks Sally!) I returned to the UK just in time for my daughters 11th birthday (which we celebrated on the water-slides at Quay West) and to an acceptance email from Country Living to stall at their Christmas show. After further investigation I decided not to do it though, as it is such a huge expense I will need months to make up the stock – hopefully I can do it next year instead, and be better prepared……I did get a lovely reply about how disappointed they were and as soon as the bookings open for next Christmas they’ll be in touch so fingers crossed.

I’ve done a vintage fair in Devonport Guildhall which was worth a visit just to see the gorgeous venue and to catch up with Teresa from Willapark Designs. We had a family 2 night camp at Wooda Farm in Bude (excellent site, clean and friendly) and the day after the kids went back (both mine are at Secondary now – shock, horror!) I drove to Bath for a 2 day catch up with family and friends, and to relieve one of those friends of a vast collection of jelly moulds that she had been collecting for me for the past 14 months! Thank you Valie!

I’m currently cleaning and packing away the huge haul and preparing for “Crikey it’s Vintage” on Saturday in Exeter. I also have 3 orders on the go and all my Christmas stock to start making so on that note……….

didn’t we have a lovely time the day we went to…Bude

Summer arrives at last…

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Well Exeter Cathedral Flower Festival went by without a hitch, I was pretty busy and even sold a vintage Jubilee candle to Paul Burrell. I didn’t realise it was him and he was chattering away about how lovely my candles were, then after a bit of investigation… I learn that he owns a flower shop in Cheshire (where they sell those disgusting Yankee candles I might add!)  I was exhausted after four long days and am in awe of all those full-time working mums. I was having to rise at the crack of dawn in order to get everything done!

My youngest daughter experienced her last day at primary school, my oldest daughter passed her grade 2 harp exam and PP had the pleasure of holding the fort for me at Trull Hall on the day of the double booking! Last weekend I had a two day pitch on Paignton Green (Torbay Carnival)  Tuesday morning we drove to Swanage and met up with friends on Knoll Beach. We spent the day there again yesterday, in and out of the sea in the blistering heat, 25 of us out for pizza in the evening (to the dismay of the young staff team!) We arrived back home at midnight and collapsed in our beds. Needless to say we are having a lazy day today & all look a bit pink!

No craft fairs now until Portscatho on August 5th so I’m looking forward to some family time. We are out for drinks tonight on the beach in Shaldon then off to Downderry, Cornwall for a family party on Saturday. It’s my birthday on Sunday so it’ll be down to The Thatched Tavern for dinner and drinks with friends and more catching up next week with my brother (down from Buck’s) my Aunt (over from Canada) and the in-laws (visiting from Birmingham) Let’s hope the sun keeps shining…..

a wonderful wedding…

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My friend Charlotte got married on Saturday and what a beautiful day it was! The sun shone and she managed to contain over 200 people in her huge garden and keep 80 children entertained with a jester, a tuck shop and a bouncey castle. The adults had live music, a curry tent and a drinks tent (obviously). Doesn’t she look gorgeous in her stunning GHOST dress…?

 

I love a wedding me! After about four hours sleep I struggled to The Craft Hub fair, only to find out that it was the last one in Topsham and there won’t be one now until December 2nd (it will be at Exeter Castle though – how exciting!)  I only managed to get through the day because I was next to  Sally Waters and her gorgeous vintage fabric creations (had to buy myself another cushion while I was there, and a couple of lavender bags). Poor Sally had to listen to me going on, in fact I wouldn’t be surprised if she requests the furthest stall from Peagreen in December!

 

My friend (and loyal supporter/part time, unpaid assistant @ Peagreen) Helene, found this fabulous little coffee cup the other day whilst rummaging around in a charity shop. I’m not sure if I can bear to part with it yet, it’s so unusual. I also found some unwanted Cath Kidston beakers which are being transformed into candles, I though they would be perfect for the Exeter Cathedral Flower Festival next week…

Another hectic weekend lies ahead.  We are off to friends for dinner on Friday night, due in Bath on Saturday afternoon for a family 40th birthday celebration AND need to be back at 1pm for a BBQ on Sunday with our friends Steve & Helen down the road. Having set Monday and Tuesday aside for candle making the reality is that I’m more likely to be recovering from too much wine, rich food and not enough sleep (again!) Oh well…

I’ll be in the craft marquee from Weds 11th – Sat 14th July at Exeter Cathedral 10am – 5pm (still haven’t quite worked out the double booking but will also be at Trull Village Hall, near Taunton, from 10am – 4pm on Sat 14th) and at Stokeinteignhead Summer Fete on Sun 15th (along with Tracy Hill from My Sister Mabel) so hoping to see some of you then…

I’ve just found out that HRH The Duchess of Cornwall will be visiting the flower festival on Thurs 12th July…wonder if she’ll buy a candle or two…?

Lilla Lotta…

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After weeks of waiting my ribbons finally arrived from France…

I discovered “Lilla Lotta” whilst messing around on facebook and couldn’t resist her beautiful style, knowing her ribbons would finish off my candles beautifully (not particularly cost effective but never mind!)  I had to deliver a box containing two jelly mould candles on Friday, which was a gift from one of my friends to her hubby, I think the addition of my new ribbon makes all the difference don’t you?

I had a great weekend at The Bedruthan Steps Hotel & Spa in Mawgan Porth, Cornwall – we even got to lie by the outdoor pool in the sunshine on Sunday afternoon….bliss! Back to earth with a bang though as I have candles to deliver tomorrow to Holly Keeling for her “Barn Open Day” on Thursday, candles to make for my friend’s wedding on Saturday and more candles to make for the “Summer of Love” fair in Topsham on Sunday (Can’t believe it’s July 1st on Sunday!) So I’d better get on……..

Just had to add a photo of this little Sylvac jam pot I found the other day… it’s in perfect condition, I wonder where it has been hiding…? Think I might have to put a coconut candle in it to take me back to my  Pina Colada days!

fun in the sun…

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wow – it’s been so beautiful I haven’t been able to motivate myself to do any blogging for a while! Instow Vintage was fun, a little quiet but that enabled me to have a natter with Emma (Birdy Furniture) and Jill (Rosiebud Designs) and Fenela, who organises it, do some shopping and eat lots of cake – you know me!

On Sunday we joined in the “Torch” festivities at our local pub, where they held an “Olympicnic” on the green in front of the pub with silly games like egg-throwing (guess who got covered??) The next Maidencombe event is a picnic and barn dance on Tuesday, not sure if it’s my kind of thing but I’m sure after a couple of glasses of wine it’ll look more appealing…

Instead of spending these gorgeous past few days lazing around on the beach I’ve been doing chores (painting the summerhouse, gardening, kitchen floor) we did manage to have an afternoon crabbing in Stoke Gabriel on Sunday at the mill pond & dinner in the pub garden last night so it hasn’t been all work and no play. I’ve been cracking on with my candles this week though, just in case I’m really busy at Tavistock Vintage tomorrow as I need to have something left to sell at “Crikey” on Saturday….and then there is Shaldon on Tuesday……       

I am trying to decide whether or not to take a stall at the Exeter Cathedral Flower Festival on July 11 – 14, four days of 9am – 5pm, it’ll be like having a proper job…momentarily! All things Vintage & Lovely are venturing to Plymouth in September so I shall be doing that I think, as I’ve not done anything in Plymouth before. They are also running a pop-up Vintage market on August 11th & 12th in some empty units in Fleet Walk, Torquay which I have booked to do on the Saturday. Remember to keep an eye on my on-line calendar for up to date information of where I am selling locally….

lots of fun but little sun!

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I have managed to  largely ignore the foul weather we have  been experiencing and have had lots of fun over the last few days! My friend Lou celebrated her birthday last Thursday so we all met up in Shaldon, which has recently undergone a transformation, and now has a lovely little bistro where The Beachcomber used to be (cafe by day & tapas bar by night Thurs – Fri) And the smelly old Clipper (greasy spoon) is now a swanky cafe and restaurant with sea views and open at 8am for coffee, to attract us school run Mums’.  Anyway, while I waited for the others to arrive I stood on the beach, looked over to Teignmouth and marvelled at the view, which I know I’ll never take for granted!

Shaldon on Thursday evening....

On Friday it was my turn to have the girlies round and as I’m so busy with Peagreen I thought I’d cheat and asked everyone to bring a bottle of wine, a lump of cheese and some chocolate. I nipped off to Waitrose and picked up a ton of bread, crackers, pickles etc and you should have seen the spread……the table was bursting with goodies and a drunken, noisy night was had by all (the only downside being that I have all that chocolate to polish off – shame!)

the Sea Pool at Bude.....

On Saturday PP (poor Pauly) and I drove up to Holsworthy to pick up an old 1950’s unit I bought on ebay. In need of some TLC I thought it would be a great project and perfect for candle storage in my studio. While we were up that way we decided to check out Bude as neither of us have ever been and PP was desperate to see the Sea Pool. What a fantastic place! I couldn’t stop taking pictures and looked like a right tourist! I had fish and chips for a fiver (haven’t had that experience in a while) PP the veggie had a wholemeal pasty (yuk) and I even managed to pop into a gorgeous little vintage shop where I found some old enamel bowls and some aluminium jelly moulds – perfect day! Then double session of The Bridge to top it off nicely.

new unit......needs to be "peagreened"

Sunday was Nanny Sunshines 74th birthday. It was so nice snuggled up in front of the log burner at the Thatched Tavern in Maidencombe, we didn’t even notice the vile weather. Then back to ours for some high cal stodge (courtesy of The Hummingbird Bakery cookbook) which consisted of a layer of brownie topped with a layer of cheesecake then a layer of whipped raspberry cream. Of course I didn’t partake as my body is a temple…well maybe just a little bit then…. Another perfect day, finished off with a large glass of red and the penultimate episode of Homeland – yikes, don’t do it Brodie!

Mick, the Landlord at The Thatched Tavern