Days Out - Whitland Produce Market

Getting ready for our first market in Wales having been asked to hold a stall at the Whitland Produce and Craft Market.

As it's nearly Valentine's Day the theme is about all things heart shaped, so we've been busy making vintage inspired hearts with pastel button detail.  I think I've probably made enough for everyone in Whitland!  They'll be on sale for £2 each.

  

With St David's Day just around the corner I thought I should make some signature red dragon hats, bodysuits, T-shirts and aprons which will all be on sale and to order too.

And we mustn't forget Mother's Day.  You will be able to order a personalised apron at the market ready for collection the following month and in time for Mother's Day.  What would you choose to say?  SUPER MUMMY, MUMS ROCK, WORLD'S BEST MUM or MOTHER KNOWS BEST perhaps?  And of course, you can order online too.

If you're in the area do come and say hello.  We'd love to meet you.  For more details about the market, click here.

www.cobwebknits.co.uk 

Boutique and Unique - Polkadot of Winslow, Bucks

Stumbled across Polkadot on Facebook and thought you might like to see what they get up to.

Lisa (aka Miss Dottie) runs Polkadot and spends her days hand-painting gorgeous stuff & things in a farmhouse in the middle of a field in the beautiful Buckinghamshire countryside.

She specialises in handpainting wooden signs, canvases, hearts & boxes and the sound of sawing, sanding, drilling & painting, dogs & chickens can always be heard!

I love the fact that when Lisa gets cold she fires up the kiln and makes a few of her sweet little mugs, jugs or teapots!

There seem to be no end to Lisa's creative talents and she also produces a range of cards & prints.

As well as a shop in Winslow you can also buy her stuff online.

All images (c) Polkadot of Winslow

Meet the Maker - Rhubarb and Cider

In keeping with our blog about birds, we just love these little creations by Rhubarb and Cider. 

Currently available through Facebook, these colourful handmade gifts are handstitched by Mandy and Wendy in Gargrave, N Yorkshire.

All images (c) Rhubarb and Cider

Boutique and Unique - Vintage Living, Baslow, Derbyshire

Vintage Living in Baslow is a real find.  Owner Sarah Copley began a life long interest in antiques at a very early age, unsurprisingly since both her grandmother and mother were in the business. She deals in original distressed and decorative painted furniture, sourcing stock from England, France and Europe.

      

Sarah's trained with Ann Maurice the House Doctor so has a wealth of experience to help you with your interior design. Her amazing shop is full of lovely furniture and accessories dressed cleverly so you could simply transport the it straight into your house.

    

And if you want more than just a bit of inspiration, Sarah is going to start running courses that will help you to  style your home and work with colour.

All images (c) Vintage Living

Boutique and Unique - Stanwells, Lymington and Bournemouth

You don't need to be in London to enjoy designer labels and stylish independent boutique shopping.  

Not too far from us in Lymington, you can find Stanwells, where new edgy brands sit alongside classic or cult labels, including Victoria Beckham denim, Alice Temperley, Diane Von Furstenberg and Joseph.

They have another store in the increasingly trendy Westbourne, in Bournemouth where staff are friendly and knowledgeable and you can browse at leisure.

And if you can't make it to their store, you can check out their website and do some online shopping instead.

All images (c) Stanwells.com

Boutique and Unique - Hambledon Gallery, Blandford Forum, Dorset

Another great reason to live in Blandford - Hambledon Gallery on Salisbury St.
Slightly off the beaten track this shop is a hidden nugget of retail treasures.  

They have two floors full of beautiful things: women's and children's clothes, toys, glass, china, toiletries, table linen and quilts.  And if you really insist I suppose any of their products would make perfect gifts too!

The upper level is devoted to beautiful designer women's clothing.  Labels include Great Plains, John Smedley, Masai Ali Capellino and Johnstons Cashmere.

Downstairs in the toy shop, we love their traditional and wooden toys.  It is a veritable treasure trove for little people.  Labels include Charlie & Lola, Olive & Moss, Trunki suitcases and the Very Hungry Caterpillar.

There is something to cater for home makers too.  Vintage inspired baking utensils, paper party pieces, glassware, picnic essentials and gardening implements too.

    

And their stylish window displays are sure to tempt you in - at any time of year.

All images (c) the Hambledon Gallery

     

Surf's Up - Nelly Pepper: Interiors and Kitchenware.

If, like me, you like vibrant and quirky this website might be just what you're looking for.

With products are as bright as their website there are a number of 'departments' including Kitchen, Home, Accessories, Kids, Gifts and Jewellery you can browse through.

Nelly Pepper was conceived by Jane Kelly and Zoe Friskney who were fed up with having to scour the internet looking for kitchenware that offered quirky, modern and unique quality products.

Boutique and Unique - the Vintage Bazaar, Hartley Wintney

A date for your diaries.  Next Saturday, the 27th April at The Victoria Halls in Hartley Wintney, the Vintage Bazaar will be holding another of their amazing fairs with over 30 traders selling vintage clothing, textiles, collectables and homewares.

The Vintage Bazaar was set up three years ago by Lizzie and Clare who came up with the idea.  They felt that Frome was a perfect venue to sell all things vintage as well as Clare's fabulous cloche hats. The Bazaar has now spread to other towns. 

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Exhibitors include Rebecca's Aix  and Les Jolies Choses 

as well as Angela's Vintage with their lovely display of nostalgic items from the 1930's and  1940's which includes English Embroidery, Linens and Haberdashery.

     

Refreshments are available in vintage style thanks to Lavinia's Tea Party 

The Victoria Halls are in Hartley Wintney, Hampshire. and doors open at 9.30, finishing at 3 pm.