The Only Way is Up...

As the rain that was forecast failed to materialise this morning, I thought I would pay a visit to the Artisan Market in Frome. It is arranged all the way up the steep cobbled street of Catherine's Hill, with trestle tables having to be precariously balanced on wooden blocks to level them out!

It had a lovely atmosphere, with a ladies choir singing at the bottom of the hill, and street entertainers, musicians and dancers a little further up.

Most of the shops were open too, which is where I bumped into Clare and her family, inside 'Woolly Notions' - this shop is fast becoming quite the meeting place for bloggers! ;-))

A market now-a-days wouldn't be complete, it seems, without stalls full of cupcakes...if cakes are dictated to by fashion, then the humble fairy cake has really moved on in the last couple of years and in my opinion has evolved into a true artform...some almost look too good to eat. But then try telling that to the kiddies lined up waiting to buy!

I had a quick look around Scarecrow Antiques near the top of the hill and then it was time to walk back down again to my car and home to hubby...

I've always loved this little row of houses on the way out of Frome. I was able to take this quick shot from my car, as there are temporary traffic lights at the top of the town at the moment...the house next door is a picture too, but I had to get moving...I'll try and get that one next time!

Although I didn't buy anything at the Artisan Market, I have found some vintage goodies over the weekend...

A lovely hand embroidered tablecloth, which I have boiled clean on the hob and its now drip-drying outside on the washing line.

And continuing with the cottagey, floral theme:

A framed print probably from the 50's, a delightful 1930's postcard and some miniature clay pots.

I love the fact that the pots have been used in the past and have acquired a weathered look to the outsides. I shall be keeping a few of these, but I also have a Christmas idea for them, for the next V&H fair...

Aghhhh...but you don't want to hear the 'C' word in June!, so moving swiftly on...except...

I did find this lovely book dated 1922, entitled 'Christmas Carols'...the colour plates inside are a delight. (I shall save it for the fair, and not mention either again for some considerable time!)

Two vintage brooches - I thought the crown one would be perfect for a patriotic rag doll with union flag skirt, that I've designed for when I have the time to get back on my sewing machine again...its been too long... :( (I'm making headway with all the website listing that I mentioned in a previous post, so I have to accept sometimes things have to give...)

I was very happy to find some more rosey china items too. Most of them are classic Victorian pieces and ooze nostalgic charm.

This strainer and tray are a particular treasure - and how typical of those Victorians to have such an item specially design just for strawberries! Well, that's what I've always believed these were for...if you know otherwise, I would love to hear from you. One thing for sure though, they don't make em' like that any more.

And talking of typical...I am rather predictable with my buying habits - I've always loved the old roses. In fact I was talking to a journalist at the V&H fair last Saturday. It was when it was extremely busy first thing, but I did manage a quick chat with her…she said she had written for CL in the past and was analysing peoples behaviour and what sorts of things they were buying…it was very interesting when she pointed a few things out to me….she also asked if there was a market for rosey china! I told her that I had heard that it was totally unfashionable, but I had experienced no trouble selling it - there's a lot of us out there who love it, right?…she seemed really interested, anyway…

Who could resist?

These two are keepers...I'm going to try and find an old (small) painted dresser for our summer house and have a 'grannyfied' display on it, with my old gardening books and hand tools... That's if hubby and I can find the time to start painting all the flat-pack shed pieces, before we put it all together...maybe I should concentrate on that first, rather than whats going inside it! Heehee!

I'll leave you with a few of the real thing...I do love this time of year...

Hope you're having a lovely weekend,

Niki x