tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30438487.post5799028433821599386..comments2024-03-19T12:10:27.714+00:00Comments on Niki Fretwell: Use it, Or Lose it!Niki Fretwellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06453900065526512512noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30438487.post-53844532231545373942010-04-08T18:29:02.400+00:002010-04-08T18:29:02.400+00:00mummy you mean 'lose' not 'loose'!...mummy you mean 'lose' not 'loose'!!<br /><br />love you!<br /><br />kay xxxKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03592826276214081387noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30438487.post-89007482406263546372010-04-07T20:26:22.155+00:002010-04-07T20:26:22.155+00:00Great Viking doll, we used to be in a Viking re-en...Great Viking doll, we used to be in a Viking re-enactment group too !!<br />It must be hard trying to buy for a fair price but being able to sell on for a small profit, your blog as ever, is lovely.<br />twiggy xTwiggyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09065849697979313992noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30438487.post-73407409308198135022010-04-07T18:47:40.104+00:002010-04-07T18:47:40.104+00:00Hello Niki,
Just wanted to say I've been follo...Hello Niki,<br />Just wanted to say I've been following your blog since you opened your shop, and I can't believe it's been 3 months. You've made a good point though about people selling things expensively at fairs. It's exactly the same round here. And most of the shops in our little town are charity shops which I find are also putting a premium on their items lately. Love all that you bought, and the viking is great.<br />Only wished I lived nearer so I could visit your shop. Maybe a daytrip is due?? ;) <br />Kind regards,<br />DonnaDonna -Little Tiny Stitcheshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06484519916797578550noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30438487.post-63603168008868617252010-04-07T05:33:53.052+00:002010-04-07T05:33:53.052+00:00I do agree with you Niki, there are plenty of peop...I do agree with you Niki, there are plenty of people out there willing to go out in all weathers to various fairs and markets to spend their money, but not coming into the high street.<br /> In my own town I am pleased to see the fruit and veg market coming back into our town (ironic that it was always a market town and yet the council chose to put the markets in the outer carpark, making it difficult for people to come in and park. So finally they wake up and smell the coffee lol ... bring the markets into the centre and just like the pied piper the people will follow.<br /> Have you thought of starting up your own flea market right outside your shop - you have enough contacts ?? (look at Portabello - they come from all over the world to visit) ... food for thought ;) <br />Well i am hoping to see you soon, though i think i won't be making it this easter week ... can't believe it has been 3 months in the shop... <br /><br />best wishes Ginny xx Ginny Gibson https://www.blogger.com/profile/11707747547529716823noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30438487.post-39209062251702142712010-04-06T23:24:13.911+00:002010-04-06T23:24:13.911+00:00Your daughter shows great talent, that viking is ...Your daughter shows great talent, that viking is super. Agree with your 'use it or lose it' however in our town the small traders are being run out by huge rate bills and the only people who seem to be ablwe to fill the empty shops are charities and estate agents :(WinnibriggsHousehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12373512408459789941noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30438487.post-73990726677926542462010-04-06T18:59:30.310+00:002010-04-06T18:59:30.310+00:00Like mother like daughter...whata clever girl and...Like mother like daughter...whata clever girl and what a lucky friend...I agree about use it or lose it...we try and use all our local stores even though it costs a little more...so many little shops are going and its such a terrible shame...hope you had a lovely easter, I think you had a wonderful haul....loved the lace....A time to dancehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11937288812854037401noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30438487.post-279431649715441142010-04-06T12:52:42.451+00:002010-04-06T12:52:42.451+00:00Hello Niki,I love the lampshade! yes I agree car b...Hello Niki,I love the lampshade! yes I agree car boots are becoming rather pricey here too,I had a shop a few years ago and I personally felt that the internet killed it for me and other small antique businesses,rather ironic as I sell online also,also my location wasnt that great,but your shop looks divine and I am sure it is a huge advantage to your high street,I prefer to shop locally as opposed to going into the larger stores,which I find are becoming more and more impersonal.Genahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11961963832536289057noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30438487.post-69882140332538298152010-04-06T12:14:46.797+00:002010-04-06T12:14:46.797+00:00Congratulations to your "youngest" daugh...Congratulations to your "youngest" daughter ! The Vicking Doll is nice ! <br />I understand (and agree with you) what you mean about "little" shops in town. It's the same situation in France ! People prefer to buy in supermarkets because they can find all what they need here ( except vintage things, ;-) ) <br />More and more little shops in French villages have to close, what a pity !<br />Itry to go both : supermarkets and little shops ( where we can buy things they don't have in supermarkets ... and where we can speak to a seller)<br />I went to a flea market yesterday and bought old laces, ribbons, old books. <br />Have a nice week !Guenievrenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30438487.post-37979049655438455032010-04-06T09:00:32.629+00:002010-04-06T09:00:32.629+00:00oops sory about my spelling mistakes!
Toops sory about my spelling mistakes!<br />TTrixie@ the vintage bothyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05576556635216603744noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30438487.post-59439511746512801952010-04-06T08:59:29.225+00:002010-04-06T08:59:29.225+00:00Hi Niki
I agree with you (again). We travelled the...Hi Niki<br />I agree with you (again). We travelled the 2 hours to Shepton, I bought a wheelbarrow for the garden, a beautiful chair for a child (chippy paint,1940s fabric)and a massive cockeral made from welded scrap metal for the garden, not a very good business trip! I was also trying to find people that would like to have a stand at our new Cotswold vintage fair, but the sort of stand that I was looking for didn't appear. We are trying to provide a fair which will give customers a visual feast (much like your shop). As you say a few years ago the fairs were much more of a source of lovliness at competitive prices. I stood at Malvern yesterday and had a good selling day, I only had time for a quick scout but again I couldn't find interesting stall holders.<br />As far as shops, my friend Jane continues with an aclectic mix of exhibitions at her gallery (Winds of Change in Winchcombe)and she struggles, she continually tries to promote the town and spends much of her time helping stick-in-the mud business's with new ideas. I am taking on her gallery in the summer for a few months as a pop-up-vintge store, and am full of worries, however if I didn't try the new fair & shop idea I would forever be wondering...what if!<br />I Know that people prefer individual & even eccentric shops to high street, it shows in that the popular stores Jack Wills, Toast, CK, etc all take their inspiration from vintage!<br />I think I will stop now....sorry.<br />Tracey<br />p.s. Another talented girl in the family!<br />pps see you on SundayTrixie@ the vintage bothyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05576556635216603744noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30438487.post-61620253856353982472010-04-06T06:57:06.509+00:002010-04-06T06:57:06.509+00:00Lovely post as always Niki, glad you managed to fi...Lovely post as always Niki, glad you managed to find some treasures over the weekend. See you Sunday! xxBusyLizziehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13496858697767552628noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30438487.post-62329244901665907552010-04-05T22:39:01.470+00:002010-04-05T22:39:01.470+00:00Hi Niki
Sorry I missed you at the Flea. I came ho...Hi Niki<br /><br />Sorry I missed you at the Flea. I came home with very few purchases (not like me!), having found it very difficult to find what I was looking for.<br /><br />It seemed strange buying rather than selling, and several dealers said 'oh, you'll be back ...' but I don't know that I shall. <br /><br />Panic mode is now setting in, making sure I am ticking off everything on the 'To Do List' for the Fair on Sunday. <br /><br />Sue xxVintage to Victorianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00227207487929669724noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30438487.post-9018952112038930392010-04-05T22:36:17.914+00:002010-04-05T22:36:17.914+00:00Your daughter is following in your footsteps, grea...Your daughter is following in your footsteps, great viking! He is very cute.<br />Isabelle xSuzy's Vintage Attichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15355297827117557882noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30438487.post-3504585551402013182010-04-05T22:33:06.786+00:002010-04-05T22:33:06.786+00:00Good for you sticking up for the High street shops...Good for you sticking up for the High street shops, as you say they become limited and less variety as the big shops have cheaper imports.<br />Having said that, I shop in at least two of the big name shops regularly and always buy British whenever possible.<br />My nearest village used to have a Butchers', now we have 2 Co-operative society stores and neither seems to stock local produce! I do use them though for convenience when I visit the Doctors' Surgery or the Post office.<br /><br />Sorry for the length of this post!<br /><br />Glad you had some good buys at the two events.<br /><br />Best wishes,<br /><br />Sandie xxSandies' Patchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11022362234675324965noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30438487.post-12100503137973990562010-04-05T22:32:05.989+00:002010-04-05T22:32:05.989+00:00Hi Niki
Although pleased with what I bought, I do...Hi Niki<br /><br />Although pleased with what I bought, I do feel that the flea market hasn't been as good over the past year or so compared to previous years. You have to search MUCH harder for something good and I agree with you about the prices.<br /><br />I got through the gates at around 10.30 & only stayed until lunch time as Alan cooked a Sunday roast for all 3 of us.<br /><br />Love the mirror and the lampshade, very pretty.<br /><br />Warm wishes<br />Isabelle xSuzy's Vintage Attichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15355297827117557882noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30438487.post-65638640992689887742010-04-05T22:16:50.137+00:002010-04-05T22:16:50.137+00:00Your daughter's Viking doll is FABULOUS! I kn...Your daughter's Viking doll is FABULOUS! I know where she gets her talent!!! ;)<br /><br />We face the same problem here... large chain stores ("megastores" some call them), and "warehouses" (where you can buy literally everything from your clothes, to car tires, to groceries, to your lumber), really are taking a toll on the Mom & Pop shops. We used to have an entire wall at our CookShop dedicated to housing a fabulous collection of cookbooks... that has all but vanished, as Amazon and other online outlets have cornered the market on books now. I used to have such fun ordering cookbooks for the shop; now the only ones we carry are the little local paperback cookbooks that Amazon doesn't have. Sad really.Cape Cod Rambling Rosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02101217926712078715noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30438487.post-35694619463548125282010-04-05T21:00:25.596+00:002010-04-05T21:00:25.596+00:00Hello Niki! Love the Viking doll...your daughter d...Hello Niki! Love the Viking doll...your daughter did a great job! That's too bad that you didn't come home with as many nice things as you'd hoped to the other day. I love little out of the way shops in small towns and villages or even in cities if I happen to be there (which isn't often). I think there will always be people who love shopping in little stores and you're right...you can find some WONDERFUL treasures at reasonable prices at shops like yours. I just wished I lived closer to yours! Have fun shopping for more goodies..thanks for sharing your 'finds' with us. Take care. MauraMaura @ Kisiwa Creek Photographyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10992187526413563417noreply@blogger.com