A Cheshire weekend.... of sunshine and showers!

This month the fabulous Wilmslow Artisan and Altrincham Vintage and Craft markets fell on the same weekend!  Wilmslow definitely drew the short straw with the weather first thing.  We woke up and looked out of the window to see a little fine drizzle and convinced ourselves it was going to get better.  It did, by the afternoon, but not before we'd all got drenched getting our stock to the gazebos and setting up and I can tell you there's nothing worse than the collected rain on a gazebo roof suddenly deciding to jettison itself down your back! As usual though, the weather didn't dampen spirits and the customers still came out to support the market.  This time we were back to back with Carol who sells bags and next to our fab friend Zoe of Honey Bee Design with her lovely jewellery, greetings cards, hand knitted and sewn items and Carole and Andrew of Select Crafts with their glass items and artisan soap.  We were joined by some very splendid feathered friends from a local experience centre and the owl in particular attracted Jacy's attention. 

I must admit I had intended nipping out and about with my camera a little more than I eventually did.  The sun came out in the afternoon and was glorious but my soggy back dampened my adventurous spirits a little and I'm afraid I failed miserably in the photo department! 

Of course I had to keep popping along to say hello to the gorgeous, lovely and utterly fantastic Vicki and Sam of Dotty Designs and Perfectly Poncho .  It's such a shame these two lovely ladies who come from Stoke to the market don't do more in this area because they're such good fun and once a month just isn't enough!

I also nipped along to see fabulous friend Gina from Cornelius Potts and Uncle Monty who was at the other end of the market and while I was there bought this gorgeous Mothers' Day card from her which I'd been looking forward to buying since I saw it on her Facebook page

Also spotted some gorgeous Easter cards while I was there which I wish I'd taken a photo of but didn't.  I'll definitely take some at Castlefield and put them in one of my future blogs because they are so cute. 

While I was visited Gina I discovered Olive & Rose who makes natural skincare products.  Her stall and packaging was really lovely and she was welcoming back many return customers and you can't have a better recommendation than that!

Sunday brought brilliant sunshine for the Altrincham Vintage and Craft Market which created a welcome warm glow through the glass roof of the covered market.

We were thrilled to be next door again to Zoe of Honey Bee Design and Jackie from Candles 2 Cherish .  Zoe debuted her new line of super cute knitted hats for babies which are gorgeous and she sold her first one too!! Love the name 'Baby Bee'!

It was lovely to see Vibrant Vintage by Victoria Claire who we re-met the other week at Rose and Lee Vintage Living's recent event who were at Altrincham, I think, for their first time

Also there again I think for the first time was Jason from Setting The Scene with a great collection of vintage suitcases, a fabulous old typewriter just like the one my mum once had and other interesting items

I think this Sunday was one of the best, if not the best, Altrincham Vintage market we've had since they started last year.  This market has gone from strength to strength and this month's made all Gail's hard work worth it with a fantastic turn out of new customers and regulars who visit each month and enjoy the wide variety of stalls on offer and the wonderful, friendly, community atmosphere the market exudes.  This market can't rely on passing trade, the visitors keep coming as a result of advertising, Twitter and word of mouth and they come specifically to experience the individual, different and unique qualities of the many and varied retro, vintage and artisan stalls.

On another of my wanderings, leaving the lovely Jacy to man the stall, I met three more stallholders I hadn't spoken to in previous months.  Vividart and The Odd Glass Shop shared a stall thanks to amazingly generous size of the 8' x 4' market stalls!  Vividart presents the contemporary art work of Viv Parkes

and The Odd Glass Shop sell lovely hand painted glasses which they can make to the customer's own requirements.

The Vintage Angel has a great stall, pink and pretty with lots of lovely items to feast your eyes on.  She stocks hand-made cards, decorations and painted furniture and also has a shop in the Traders' Outlet in Altrincham.

Looking forward Jacy&Jools are at the Castlefield Artisan Market next on Sunday 4th March when I will be looking to add the stallholders who couldn't make it last month to the new Castlefield Artisan Market Directory.  The market is going to be bigger and better this month with over 80 stalls, many of whom will be new to Castlefield so don't miss out of this fabulous monthly event and come and experience the variety of artisan produce, arts and crafts on offer and uplifting, foot-tapping entertainment from The Cotton Town Hot Club