Vintage Va Va Voom!

Our collection ready to go to the showroom

Yesterday we visited the Rose and Lee Vintage Living's event 'Champagne and Sweets' Vintage Soiree  This was our third visit to Fiona's showroom so this time we managed to get ourselves from Altrincham to Walker Street without a hitch!  Little bit of a problem on the way home when for a very short period of time we found ourselves on the way to Leeds, but we won't mention that!  I can hear you laughing Fiona!!! We were really excited about the event, firstly because Fiona's done an amazing job with the showroom and her events are always well organised and fabulous and secondly because it was the first time a collection of our pieces would be on show there.  

The day included the champagne, sweets and cupcake reception and a vintage make-over and photoshoot and when we got there it was already in full swing.  The showroom had been transformed into a glamorous photo studio and it was like stepping into a film set from a bygone era.

Kate Peterson was there from Groovy Gang Handmade Soap and Bath Treats looking very glamorous herself in fur.  A collection of her hand made soaps are also displayed in the showroom and looked as pretty as ever adorning the various dressers and chests of drawers they decorated. 

Some of Kate's Groovy Gang products on the
dresser

Kate took us into the dressing room to see the hair and make-up artist from Pinup Vintage Makeovers at work creating the fabulous vintage looks. It was fascinating to watch her at work and amazing to see the finished styles, I don't know how she does it!

It was lovely to see Brooke again of Brooke's Cupcakes and Vibrant Vintage by Victoria Claire both of whom we'd met before briefly at another of Fiona's events.  It was really good to chat to both of them and we came away with some great ideas to work on for the future!  We look forward to seeing both of them again soon.

The photographer Sean Carnall seemed to put all the models at their ease and I'm looking forward to seeing his shots.  He was very generous too letting us amateurs cash in on his eye for composition and nip in and take a few snaps of our own.

We were very pleased that one of the models wore our Marilyn brooch with one of her outfits - thank you Kate for the idea!

Fiona joined in the fun with a makeover and photoshoot too looking very glam in both outfits she modelled.

We had a lovely day and all Fiona's hard work and preparations truly paid off as everyone who participated and visited seemed to have a great time.  The champagne was flowing, there were delicious cakes, good company and conversation and plenty to see with the showroom pieces and the fabulous photoshoot.  What more could you ask for!

Of course it took 3 attempts before I took a
photo these two lovely awkward ladies were
happy but I ignored the insults and persevered!

On a personal note, we were really encouraged by the reception our jewellery received and thank you to those who bought pieces.  We'll be busy making more now to replenish stocks!

Finally, a huge thank you and congratulations to Fiona!  Hope you get a little bit of R&R before you're off to Italy, weather permitting, as you truly deserve it!!

Treacle........and roses?

We didn't have any markets this weekend so Jacy and I decided to hit the road and visit a few friends.

On Saturday we went over to Whitefield to see the lovely Fiona of Rose and Lee Vintage Living After a few navigational problems involving a dotty satnav and the long road to Preston and a near collision with a erratic Audi driver we got back on the right track and pulled up outside The Old School which houses her showroom. 

When we reached the upstairs showroom we were wowed by how fabulous it was!  Fiona's eye for detail and creative flair has transformed the room into a beautiful treasure trove of antique furniture, objet d'art and homeware.  Each area has its own theme and is beautifully arranged and accessorised.

Throughout the first floor handmade decorative items including greetings cards, note boards, tea cup candles and custom mix and match cake stands are displayed and add to the overall impact of the room.

 

Also displayed at the showroom are vintage clothes and accessories by Hummin'bird , mini works of art in cake by Brooke's Cupcakes

and beautifully presented and heavenly scented hand made bath and soap treats by Kate of  The Groovy Gang

We had a great time at the Rose and Lee Vintage Living showroom and would recommend anyone to visit soon.  It's open by appointment during the week and from 10am to 4pm on Saturday and Sunday.  Please see their site for details. 

Fiona has some exciting ideas for the building and we'll keep you posted of new developments.  We are also beyond thrilled that a collection of our Jacy & Jools pieces will soon be available at the showroom too!!!  Watch this space!

Sunday's adventure was a visit to the Treacle Market in Macclesfield.  It's no secret that we would love to be a part of the market and are anxiously waiting for our names to get to the top of the waiting list.  A few of our friends and 'neighbours' from the Castlefield and Wilmslow Artisan markets are lucky enough to have stalls there so we decided to pay them and the market a visit.

We had feared the threatened 'big freeze' may thwart our plans but thankfully we didn't require the assistance of a snow plough to get over to Macc! We managed without the dotty satnav too so the journey was relatively painless and we didn't find ourselves en route via Birmingham!

Free parking close to the start of the market was a bonus and we could see the gazebos as soon as we rounded the corner. 

One of the first stalls we came across was one of our Wilmslow Artisan neighbours Sheila, from The Vintage China Cupboard featured in the last blog.  This was her first time at Macclesfield and was loving the large stall and, after a few 'blustery' afternoons holding onto stock, its inherent stability!

We soon came across our friend Gina of Cornelius Potts and Uncle Monty , who is also a regular at Wilmslow Artisan and Castlefield Artisan . As usual her stall looked absolutely beautiful.  She's just too talented and her cards are fabulous!!  Spent ages nattering and giggling, as we do, and it wasn't until I got home I realised I'd forgotten to buy the birthday card I needed - it's a good job we're at Castlefield together on Sunday!

Also located in the cobbled market square were Gill (aka Arthur Two Sheds - see my last blog) from The Chicken Shed and Victoria Wild, two more Wilmslow and Castlefield neighbours!

Next stop was at the stall of our lovely friends Jodie and Asif, two of the nicest people ever, from Castlefield Artisan Market , the first time we'd seen them since Christmas.  We got to sample their amazing cherry liqueur served in belgian chocolate cups and made with fruit from their very own cherry orchard.  Not only did it taste great but the stall was so pretty and the liqueur was presented beautifully.  Jacy, not a cherry lover normally, was particularly taken with it and quite frankly hasn't stopped talking about it yet, possessively coveting the bottle we brought home with us!

Although we thought we were just there on a 'jolly' today, I wasn't to be let off too lightly.  By the time we'd made our way to Lorraine's stall, of George's Gourmet Dog Biscuits fame, it was time for her to take what National Express Coaches call a 'comfort break' - in other words, a nip to the loo!  We've had a stall near to Lorraine often enough now for me to feel ready to step into the breach, confident my sales pitch would be up to her standards and I wouldn't let her down.  I knew the time honoured phrases "all hand made by Lorraine", "using only natural ingredients" and even, when a customer voiced that his dog had a delicate stomach, "the chicken are a nice mild flavour" which clinched it, I made my sale! 

The main man himself - George!!

Me doing my bit!

 

Jacy and Lorraine

 

When we'd left Lorraine we had a quick wander up Castle Street and saw a few familiar faces from Wilmslow and Castlefield including the ever smiling Sean with his sushi.

After a few goodbyes and a quick chat with the organiser, (we're keeping our fingers crossed our name gets to the top of the waiting list or we get the chance to stand in last minute soon), we were homeward bound.
The lovely thing about Macclesfield and the markets we're lucky enough to be part of is that each brings something unique and its own individual character to the table but what they all have in common is that they are thriving and vibrant markets which are helping to revive an area or high street and breath life back into communities.

The next blog will feature the first Castlefield Artisan market of 2012.  It's on Sunday 5th February on the cobbles at the corner of Duke Street and Castle Street from 10am to 4pm.  There are more stalls than ever and there'll be the usual mix of artisan food and producers, craft, arts, jewellery, homeware, vintage and so much more.  The Cotton Town Hot Club will be there from 1pm and there'll be a great atmosphere as usual so don't miss out!