Monday, September 10, 2007

Refined Surroundings!

Whilst searching for vintage treasures, I am quite used to rummaging in old and tatty cardboard boxes under tables at flea markets, or amongst dust and cobwebs in corners of junk shops; so now-and-then it can be a real treat to visit a fair held in a beautiful venue! -And I have been able to visit two in the last few days!

I can't believe that it was a whole year ago that I last visited the vintage textile event at Claverton Manor (home to the American Museum) in Bath.
I found an amazing full 15 yard roll of unused 1930's Sanderson fabric, which I just LOVE!

I also bought a beautiful Welsh quilt. It probably dates from around 1910 and features cherry red roses and love birds, with hand stitched quilting.
**********Then on Sunday I attended a textile fair in the fabulous Assembly Rooms (home to the Costume Museum) in the centre of Bath. The soft aqua painted ceiling with moulded details and the most enormous chandeliers are truly breathtaking.

I was lucky enough to spend some time with Sue who was also enjoying her day out. We took a break from vintage shopping to sample a lovely lunch in the trendy cafe bar!

- Afterward...more shopping!
This is Liz's (who I have mentioned in previous posts) and Bronia's stand with a mouthwatering collection of vintage costume and accessories.
Another favourite stand of mine was Jane's, with her charming stock all fresh from France....I would have loved to have bought everything!!
There were 1920's perfume boxes and magazines, cards of unused buttons......

...reels filled with lace, ribbons and braids and beautiful antique fabrics.
My purchases from the day include some of the above, as well as a fun fabric covered box - I've not seen one with a novelty children's print before and the little deco doll (Thank you Sue! ;-))....


GORGEOUS velvet millinery flowers and fruits in the most delicious shades, French rose printed wallpaper, and trims....

And finally a rare catalogue from a Paris department store, dated 1935.

It is full of illustrations of some of the pretty items available in the shop at that time. If anyone is interested, I would be happy to add some more images to my blog from the catalogue; if you would like to copy and reproduce them for collage work etc.
There are collars and embellishments....

Bridal headdresses and veils....
Underwear and lace to name but a few. It offers a intriguing glimpse into the past that I find fascinating.

30 comments:

  1. What fab photos! I almost feel as if I was there-thanks so much for posting them! Bath is so beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Love it all.
    Wish I lived near you.
    Rosemary

    ReplyDelete
  3. That looks like a wonderful place to visit, and such goodies you brought back. Green with envy here!

    ReplyDelete
  4. What fun! I am in love with your 1930's fabric purchase.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Mmmmmm Yummy, what delicious finds Niki. I hope Liz still has some stock left for next week! Are you going to be there?

    D xxx

    ReplyDelete
  6. Anonymous6:20 pm

    As we say back home, HOLY COW! what a collection of goods, that fabric, that quilt, that catalogue!AND those stands filled with lovely things!! Im seething with jealousy. Surely you can not keep that all for yourself, hint hint!!?? Sounds like a fabulous time!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Now THIS time I can honestly say I have been there before! I know precisely the building you are referring to! (Oh how I loved my stay in Bath!)

    Now all those trims and laces and millinery... you know how my heart beats for those! =)

    ReplyDelete
  8. Beautiful photos, as always! I wish I could be there, but I thank you so much for sharing it with us!!
    Oh, and please do stop by my blog today; I am having a tea party, and would love for you to visit!
    :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. Niki,
    What a fun day you had, and came home with some really pretty things.
    Because of you I'm always on the lookout for little porcelain dolls, or bisque, you always seem to have them on your sale site, figure you must have a trunk full of them stashed away someplace.
    What are you going to do with that pretty material you found? it must be hard to cut into it.
    NANCY JO

    ReplyDelete
  10. Loving Loving Loving every single thing!!!! What a fabulous weekend you had!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Hi Niki

    Didn't we have a lovely time! I told everyone on my blog they'd enjoy seeing your photo record of our few hours shopping! And thank you - I've had lots of extra visitors/lurkers today who have clicked on your link to me ;))

    You're so lucky to get that box you know - if Jane hadn't been talking to another customer I'd have had it but I didn't like to interrupt her to ask the price!!!!

    I wonder if the American duo sold all their lace at the end of the day!!

    Where are we off to next?

    Sue xx

    ReplyDelete
  12. Hi Niki,

    How could I have forgotten about these 2 fairs:(

    I will have to enlarge the pic of Liz's stall to see all her stock.

    The catalogue looks a dream of a buy and of course I for one would love to borrow some of the pics for collage work. I love that era ... such glamour.
    Thank you for sharing!

    best wishes Ginny

    ReplyDelete
  13. Anonymous8:30 am

    Wonderful buys as always and what grand surroundings must make a lovely change from the usual venues.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Hi Niki,

    'Wow' seems all-too lacking a word to use - but, 'wow' is what springs to mind!!

    I suppose it would be only right to find beautiful things in such a beautiful place - I would have loved it!

    It looks as if you found la creme de la creme - all your buys are simply gorgeous! Considering how lovely your creations are I think we are all in for a real treat if you use some of these beauties in your next batch of handmade delights!

    Clare x

    PS. Looks like you've joined the ranks of 'ladies wot lunch':-)!!!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Ah Niki you are killing me!
    What a great experience in such a beautiful place...thanks for thinking of us and taking your camera :)
    I want to touch everything you bought!

    ReplyDelete
  16. More bridal veils? My DD is getting married in March and we haven't found the right thing yet...

    ReplyDelete
  17. Anonymous5:46 pm

    More wonderful treasures, I particularly love the welsh quilt.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Holy. Cow!! I don't know what else to say. I drooled over every picture!

    ReplyDelete
  19. Anonymous10:04 pm

    Hi Niki
    Glad to see you back, just caught up on your recent blogs and see you have been visiting my neck of the woods. I just love Totnes, (and visit every Friday when possible because of the gorgeous market), and Ashburton. Too much gorgeousness! Glad to see you are back creating!
    Nicky x

    ReplyDelete
  20. Such great finds - you're so lucky! Bath is a lovely town.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Hi - not sure if I know you from efx but I live in Bristol!! What was your efx name?

    ReplyDelete
  22. Anonymous6:56 am

    How lovely ~ and what a gorgeous little fabric doll!

    ReplyDelete
  23. What beautiful things and surroundings. Thanks for showing them to us Niki - I'm now drooling!!
    Kim x

    ReplyDelete
  24. Hi Chandramoon,
    I would love to answer your question, but I have no idea what efx is!!
    Niki

    ReplyDelete
  25. Gorgeous! all of it!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Oh no! I wish I'd known they were on - I would have been there too! I love the American Museum, especially at Christmas when it's all decked out. You had some lovely buys.

    I'll have to keep an eye out for next year's events now.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Oh how fun that looks! What a lovely way to go hunting for goodies!
    Penny

    ReplyDelete
  28. Oh what lovely finds. I had a little doll just like that when I was small. Wonder where it is? What a lovely placce and such beautiful treasures. Well done you!
    Stephx

    ReplyDelete
  29. The fair was superb . Quality of stands and the surroundings beautiful , glad you bought some great things ,My partner sue and I organised it........

    ReplyDelete
  30. Love this post and all the lovely eye candy!
    Love the 15 cents pink rick rack!
    And that 30's fabric... WOW!

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for finding the time to visit me...
Niki xx