T 4 T

I've been meaning to update my blog since last Friday's excitement, but have been feeling a little poorly. Thursday involved me doing a day at my shop, and then travelling on to Glastonbury after work, with my car filled to the brim with my wares for the 'Talent for Textiles' decorative fair. We had been asked to set up our stalls the evening before, if possible, so that the fair would be ready to open its doors for 9am sharp the following morning. As that busy evening progressed, I began to feel unwell...I awoke on Friday morning feeling worse, but as all of my stock was now set up several miles from home, I needed to be there. A dose of medicine later and the car journey behind me, I was there in person, if not quite in spirit. (For those who stopped-by - I'm sorry if I wasn't quite myself.)

The venue itself though, was enough to lift the spirits and I just about got through the day...

The fourteenth century Abbey Barn is the centrepiece of the Somerset Rural Life Museum.

Its life spans 7 centuries, but in its long history, it has not been used as a venue for such an event before. Generally today, it is used as a wedding venue or for wassail parties...its not difficult to see why...

As you enter, the first thing that hits you is the scale of the magnificent building and the beautifully crafted roof structure.

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I was very lucky to have my pitch at the entrance doors, opposite organiser Elizabeth Baer.

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Elsewhere, deeper inside the barn, the stalls were flooded with light from the magical stings of bulbs specially installed for the fair. Someone commented that it looked just like a Paris street market, and with the addition of the beautiful items on sale, it was easy to see why.

My stall...

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I didn't take many photos of the other stalls, as time was limited...I spent much of it catching up with old friends such as Phillipa Bowes, who makes the most wonderful handmade hand bags with antique fabrics and trims.

She was next to Donna, whose fine array of textiles was a constant temptation to Philippa!

I'd like to thank all who made a purchase from my stall and gave encouraging words to me about the layout of my stand...I only wish I had been feeling more like my usual self. The symptoms still persist, so I'm hoping the next couple of days away from work will give me the opportunity to shake-off what ever it is that's invaded my system.

My thanks also to Elizabeth for the invitation to show my wares at this lovely fair.

I made one small purchase on the day...A gorgeous French fabric covered box, which I am going to use in my workroom for storage...a very pretty souvenir of the day.

Niki x