What's New?

I've managed to list two of my handmade rag dolls for sale on my website this morning...
There's Rosie...

And Felicity. I hope you may have a moment to visit them in my on-line catalogue.

I'm sold - thank you!
And for those of you who are able to visit me in my little emporium at Shepton Mallet, you will find the shop well stocked with vintage and handmade goodies...

This week I shall be working on some smaller size rag dolls to add to the shelves too.

But today is my 'day-off' and so I'm off!....
Have a lovely day,
Niki x

Frozen in Time

Always one of my favourite antique finds, are the old photo albums from the Victorian and Edwardian eras, full of original cabinet card photos and the smaller calling cards or carte de visite.

To catch a glimpse of a by-gone century, when women were strapped into corsets and rarely seemed to have a smile on their face, I find quite captivating.

This latest collection of photographs to come my way are full of interesting looking woman in their full-length buttoned up garments of the day.

I shall be adding them to my shops stock this week, but also saving a few to take with me to next months 'Vintage Textile and Costume Day at Dairy House', as I am hoping they will be of interest to the antique costume enthusiasts who may be visiting.

They are always an affordable collectable, and can also look attractive when added to hand crafted items.

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The graphics on their reverse are often very decorative too. Once again, it seems, they don't make em' like that any more...How many photographs, I wonder, will survive to tell our stories in the future, when so much is kept in the archives of our computers?

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Have a happy week!

Niki x

I have been asked many times over the last couple of weeks if I would be able to offer my rag dolls for sale again via my on-line shop. I have a busy week ahead, but will do my best to list the two girls that I have in stock at the moment. I'll let you know when they are available for purchase.

The BBC is Coming to Town...

The exciting news that has had Shepton Mallet buzzing all day today, is that a major prime-time BBC TV programme is to be made during the summer, right on the Market Place. Several of the currently vacant shops will be taken over by the BBC and transformed into a butchers, bakers, grocers and dressmakers. They will document how shopping has changed over the last 140 years and will provide customers with an in depth experience of shopping through the decades.

From my point of view this is fantastic news, as my little shop is situated right on the Market Place. The filming is bound to attract interested on-lookers and extra business to the town. I feel that the risk that I have taken in opening a shop during recession, in a town at the start of rejuvenation, will be worthwhile. The fact that the BBC can see the potential here, will, I'm sure, be of huge benefit to all the small businesses of Shepton, and will go a long way to help in its future regeneration and in its attractiveness to encourage more new business to the lower end of the high street.

The story posted on my blog is taken from an article in this week's Shepton Mallet Journal - Please click on the images if you would like to read the full story, or visit their website here.

Niki

My New Man!

Hubby has very kindly driven me all over the Cotswolds today in the search for new stock for my shop...

We've visited villages and towns, shops and cafes - Regular tea breaks are vital to keep your chauffeur happy, you know!

So why am I feeling so guilty this evening? Well, I confess I fell in love today...with another man...

Our eyes met across a crowded junk shop and that was it...I had to bring him home with me! Hubby thinks I've gone slightly bonkers and can't understand my actions...so I'm hoping for some reassurance that some of you may think I've done the right thing...Please meet my new man, Harley....

Hubby has agreed that he can live with us tonight until I can take him to my shop tomorrow ;-))

Don't you think he's handsome?

Of course I have something to prove now and hope that I can sell this rival to my affections quickly, for Hubby's sake! ;-))

I shall be taking my new man to my shop in the morning, complete with the hat that I also bought for him today. I wonder if he will turn any more heads, of the non plaster variety? :)

Tee hee...

Niki x

Crazy for You!

Last week was a bit of a crazy one...

I was doing my day in the shop, returning home, making a very quick supper and then we were off again on the 18 mile round trip to take our daughter back into school for the performance of 'Crazy for You' every evening. But we loved every minute...and so did she...We wouldn't have missed it for the world...

Our gorgeous girl played the part of a flapper dancer...

and also Patricia, a rather well-to-do lady - The first year that she has been given a main part and in my view won't be the last...

She proved herself to be quite the thespian! (Proud Mum moment ;-))

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And talking of Mums, Mothering Sunday is fast approaching, earlier than usual here in the UK. So I have been putting my sewing machine through its paces again all week making suitable gifts for the 14th.

Plenty of pretty brooch pillows...

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And daintily decorated French bottles.

The arts and crafts style dressing table that I had in the corner, sold recently, so I replaced it with this rather lovely painted table and separate mirror...

As well as lots of feathery fluff for the boudoir look that I love ;-))

I've been changing round the displays a lot to keep the shop interesting, as I already have lots of regular customers. The people of Shepton Mallet and surrounding villages have been so welcoming and supportive...I am especially enjoying the fun chats we have, having spent the last 7 years selling via the web, this part of running a business is a bit of a novelty still!

There have also been a few more Bloggers who have very kindly made the long journey to visit, including Claire and Tracey - thank you for your visits ladies - it was lovely to meet you and to talk about vintage!

Perfect in purple (as you may know, one of my favourite colours)...

and with spring just around the corner now, a violet inspired selection.

The china display has been re-filled.

And the little bed has been dressed several times since I opened...who knew bedspreads were still so popular?

And the delphiniums that I bought over two weeks ago are still sitting pretty in the bathroom section!

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Well yesterday involved another buying trip, so I will be off shortly to work my way through my haul, checking items over, laundering if necessary, and pricing up.

As we head towards longer days and hopefully some finer weather, I wish you a happy week!

Niki x

PS: I just wanted to add that at the moment I am not able to offer mail order of my shop items. The logistics involved make it very time consuming and I still need this time to find my feet and promote my new business. Thanks for your understanding.