Sunday, May 22, 2011

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

17 comments:

  1. It looks absolutely stunning Niki, just wish I could have been there. I hope you are feeling better soon.
    Jo xx

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  2. Hope you are feeling better soon, Niki. Thanks for the views of the venue and the wares. It was fun!

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  3. Oh my what a stunning location with all those beautiful wares too.
    Hope you are feeling a little better now...I suspect you are probably working too hard. Take care of yourself. xxx

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  4. I just came across your post and really felt for you as the same thing happened to me many years ago. How I got through a two day fair feeling the way I did I will never know, and like you, was on my own... thank goodness for solpadeine!
    The fair you attended looked amazing with such beautiful items on display too. I hope you are feeling better soon. Abby

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  5. So sorry you weren't feeling well. What a venue for a show...magical...and your table looked marvelous.

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  6. I certainly hope you are feeling much much better...always so hard to work through feeling ill...
    Lovely fabric covered box you found! I know it will be filled up with beautiful materials or pretty objects soon. Would love to see what you do with it. The pics of the barn and grounds are fantastic!! The centuries of history that it has seen...hard to imagine. Always love to see your pretties dispkayed. Great job too on the manequin. Wish I lived nearby!!!
    Blessings, Doni

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  7. Hi Niki.
    Thank you for this wonderful report of the fair in Glastonbury.
    I'm sorry for your health and I wish you to feel good as soon as possible.
    I wish I was there .... sigh!
    Good job and a dear greeting, Maria.
    (with translator)

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  8. That box is simply divine. Hope you feel better soon
    xx

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  9. Sorry to read you've been unwell Niki, there must be nothing worse than feeling so unwell and then having to drive a ways and get through a Fair, putting on a smile for your punters, so well done you! Mandy x

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  10. Sorry you were unwell, hope it goes soon.

    Looked like a wonderful place to be though, such an array of goodies.

    Sandie xx

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  11. It was nice to see you again, Niki, I hope you are feeling better now. The wind blowing through the barn didn't help, it was very cold inside early in the day, when I was visiting.
    But I did enjoy the fair, they are always a great fun, you never know what you find!

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  12. What a wonderful location. I do hope you're feeling better.

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  13. Oh Niki, I had no idea that you were feeling unwell, you hid it well! I felt poorly too, I had to go and buy some painkillers in town so I felt a bit out of sorts and have only started to feel better today! We work too hard sweetie! Take some well earned time off and get well soon. D xxx

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  14. Hope you're feeling better soon. Stunning location for a fair!
    June

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  15. What an amazing venue and what tempting wares.
    Sorry you aren't feeling too good Niki, hope you are soon better.
    Carol xx

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  16. Great photos of a very special day. I hope you are feeling better soon. Big hugs.xx

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  17. Thrilled to stumbled across your lovely blog - your dolls are very sweet!

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