Shopping...

I must admit that these days a lot of my 'free' time is spent sourcing goods for my shop...It still surprises me when just the right thing turns up at just the right time...

Take this old book for example - Not only does the title mention one of my favourite words(!) but also, its all about the 1940's, which is the next era to be filmed by the BBC in Shepton Mallet.

Subtle as I am(!) I placed the book in my shop's window yesterday...within a few hours it was whisked from the display and was on its way to a certain research dept. ;-))

I've not taken any photos yet of the shop fronts on the Market Place for this era, but will do so later this week. They truly are very evocative of wartime - there are no new facades, but the existing 1930 style signs have been aged and rubbed to give the impression that time has stood still whilst people adjusts to dealing with everyday living with the constant threat of bombs dropping...I'm sure this week will be extremely moving, especially for the older generations who actually lived through those terrifying years.

The BBC will be taking the series up to the 1970's, which is the only decade that they will be covering, that I have lived through myself...Not a particularly memorable decade, in my view. I know it was one of financial hardships for many, including to some extent my own family, but in many ways I am grateful for that, in that it made me thankful for the things that I did have and I learnt to make lots of my own toys and later my own clothes. Later again in the 1980's, when my girls were born, I was still sewing an awful lot, and would often run up a floral baby dress for them from an old flowery cotton pillowcase!

I would guess that the BBC want to document this era for the huge change it made to peoples buying habits. Fashionable clothes were more readily available on the high street and food shopping was done on a weekly basis at the large supermarkets that began to emerged...for better or worse!

So, knowing that the 70's will be featuring again in my life, I snapped up this little collection of tasteful dresses for my shop! Crimpoline features heavily(!), along with velvet and jersey... Lovely!

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c1950's 'Tricel' Coat

I've also been hunting out lots of my more usual stock too - So roses still feature heavily amongst the lace and pretty fabrics.

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Actually, 4 recent visitors to my little emporium had a whale of a time trying on some of my 1950's floral hats! The lovely Sally, along with her daughter and two friends, (who I mentioned had paid me a visit on last Thursdays blog post), had fun modelling and being photographed for Sally's blog. Sally has taken lots of beautiful photographs and written some very kind words which I am very grateful for. Her post can be viewed here.

Photograph courtesy of Sally Page.
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Today I have been out and about shopping again...not all for the shop this time...There's been time to catch-up with two of my friends over lunch too...a luxury I have not had in quite some time...

We met up in Wells and were determined to have some time away from everything...so tea and coffee was enjoyed for a couple of hours...

Later I needed to do some shopping, as its my eldest daughter's Birthday next week and she'll be coming home again for a long weekend...

I bought her a gorgeous present in the Air Gallery in Wells, but can't show you what it is, because she's a lurker of my blog! ;-))

Whilst I was at the till paying for it though, I noticed one of my Nostalgia calendars hanging up on the wall. I happened to mention it, and then realised that I knew the girl who runs the gallery - because she had been shopping with me! She went off for a couple of seconds and came back with this pretty painted chair from her office...

The fabric covering the seat is one that I sell by the metre - Its from the 1920's and is French. Its always lovely to see vintage items being given a second chance.

I'd certainly recommend the gallery as a wonderful place to buy one off gifts or artworks for your home. I also happened to notice that they sell the beautifully created ceramics by Jo Lucksted, who has her main studio and showroom in Shepton Mallet, no less! ;-))

After the successful gift-buying in the gallery, we then headed to the little flea market that is held regularly in the Town Hall. There, the ever cheerful Belinda and her husband have their beautifully presented jewellery stall.

Once again, pennies where exchanged...

Although I do think I was quite restrained really! I usually do find something to buy from Belinda though - she has great taste and I see her in several places that I like to scout at, including the antique fairs held at the Shepton Mallet Showground.

I did also buy a few more rose inspired items for my shop elsewhere, but I have run out of blogging time just now...

I'm sorry that I have so little time these days for leaving these...

Had to photograph that when it came up!...Was Blogger trying to tell me something?!!!

My thanks to all who visit here and have left me their wise or encouraging words...it means so much to me.

Enjoy the rest of your day,

Niki x