UPDATE ON NEXT BROCANTE

Am very excited after visit to Texworks in Melksham earlier this month.  This is an incredible and progressive upcycling venture set up by Steve Weekes, who runs sewing workshops and drop in sessions where she gives people a chance to give old clothes (from modern to vintage) a new lease of life.  Steve has created an incredibly friendly and inspiring atmosphere, and as I drank my coffee I chatted to the women who were there about what they were creating.  One lady was making a mac from some vintage curtains, another a cushion from pretty gingham remnants.  I look forward to participating in September.  I the meantime you can contact Steve www.texworks.co.uk  Otherwise you can see her and learn more, and see some of her beautiful upcycled items at the Brocante on the 24th September.

The Next Brocante - 24th September 2011

Following an extremely successful first Brocante in Alice Park on the 11th June, the next Brocante will be in Alice Park, Lower Swainswick on Saturday 24th June, from 10am til 4pm.  We hope to have glorious weather as we did at the last one, and a touch of Boules and Pastisse to add to the atmosphere!
To date we have Charlotte and Adam Calkin back again selling their beautiful and unusual antiques and textiles.  (I bought a fabulous campaign stretcher from them which has become a regular feature in our garden, and will hopefully be used in our bell tent camping this weekend).  Sue Stokes who sells stunning antiques and textiles, quite a lot of them French and quirky, will be joining us again too.
I am thrilled to have some new dealers on board too.  Helen Roskell who sells antique and vintage textiles, accessories and small decorative collectables is taking space.  I met Helen recently at Mrs Baer's "Talent for Textiles" fair in Bradford on Avon where she had a delightful stall. 
Other dealers are interested and I'm awaiting confirmation from a few.  I hope to have 12 in total.

First Bath Brocante - 11th June 2011

After the torrential rain the evening before, which I had spend trying to find extra gazeebos in my road, I was relieved to wake up to a beautiful day.  As I arrived at Alice Park, surprisingly calmly!, Serena Simpson, a friend and dealer had already set up and created a wonderful start and beautiful backdrop made from vintage fabric,with her wares on and surrounding.  I recently found out from a Mum who's daughter swims with my daughter that she had bought a stunning painted cupboard from her.  The vintage tent was beginning to be put up, and a lady showed some interest in my decoupaged cupboard as she walked her dog.  The park was really beginning to come alive and people seemed to be arriving to walk, play tennis, set up stalls and to open up the cafe.  I was needing to smell the caffeine at this stage!  In all there were eight dealers selling an exciting mix of decorative and retro antiques, vintage and antique textiles and clothes as well as beautiful dried herb garlands.  There were rows of beautiful vintage clothes arriving, including a very theatrical striped skirt and ruffled shirt, reminiscent of early circus acts portrayed in Fellini films.  I tried on a beautiful 1940s black floral dress that I was lucky to be able to wear for most of the morning, and indeed managed to find its way into my cupboard!  There seemed to be a steady flow of people arriving and the cafe seemed to fill up quickly, creating a wonderful and very French atmosphere.