Spirit of Summer Fair, or escape from the charity shops

In addition to my marathon wander around East London last weekend I also went to the Spirit of Summer fair at London Olympia for a few hours. Whilst the ticket prices for shopping fairs like this are always on the pricey side - about £15 - I usually manage to obtain free tickets, and on this occasion was lucky enough to have been sent complimentary passes by one of my favourite online gift companies, Plum and Ivory. Spirit of Summer (and similar events like the Country Living Fair) are excellent for sourcing unusual presents, and discovering new companies and products you'd have difficulty finding on the high street. It's a great way to support smaller British businesses, and I came across all kinds of wonderful crafters, designers, and artisan food makers.

These patchwork style tiles were £5 apiece, but I know some of you shabby chic and quilt lovers are drooling! They are beautifully made by Welbeck Tiles in Cornwall. They did garden birds in addition to the florals, and have many more designs on their website, but my favourites were those copied from vintage postcards.

 

This is Brighton circa 1910

Postcard style tiles £10 each

They had virtually every British seaside resort you can imagine, and I think one or two would look lovely just propped on a shelf. Some were the back of the postcard, so you see the 1/2d stamp and read the message. I enjoyed Archie's card to Mum and Dad that he was having a lovely time, and had "got all burnt up!" They will even make you tiles from your own postcards if you can't find what you're looking for.

There was also a presence from interiors magazine favourites such as Jan Constantine. The ladies on the stand were a bit dubious about my camera - but as Jan's new designs are already available in the catalogue and on-line, I think I managed to convince them that I wasn't planning any kind of industrial espionage! Of course, if anyone is inspired to get their felt stash out after seeing this picture I can't be held responsible...

I guess my willingness to buy helped as well! I've always liked her cushions - yes, I know they're everywhere, but hey - although the hefty price tag of around £60 for a small union jack design has put me off up until now. But at the fair I found this 'make your own' kit - everything you need to stitch one at home, and for the special 'show price' of £20.

So, watch this space, surely even I can manage this?

On to some other stalls I visited:

 Lovely thrown porcelain by Linda Bloomfield.

Everything is hand made and dishwasher and microwave safe.

I spent a lot of time ruining Beyond Fabrics' display by unfolding

all their gorgeous materials, but the stall holder was very patient and I did buy!

Totes, trugs, plant holders made by recycle-recycle

Everything is made from recycled rice bags as part of a fairtrade project in Cambodia

Rice sack washbag with carved coconut hook

Reverse of their waterproof fold-up picnic rug

I have seen these kind of products before but the quality was excellent, and everything looked extremely durable. The bright colours are lovely too.

I of course went to Plum and Ivory's stand to thank them for the tickets and to check out their new range of 'affordable luxury gifts'. They have something for every budget - from delectable cashmere ponchos, to hair slides and book marks made from vintage fabrics.

Wrap around leather bracelets

Pashmina style pure wool scarves

Vintage fabric bookmarks and hair accessories

Cashmere poncho

I'm excited to say that I'll also be posting about a Plum and Ivory giveaway in the next couple of days, so keep your eyes peeled for that.

I am beginning to collate all the prospective swappers details now so apologies if I haven't been commenting on your blogs as much as usual. The swap seems to have generated a lot of excitement and I will do my best to make sure that everyone gets to take part, but it will depend on numbers and of course countries of swappers involved, so please bear with me! I will try to let everyone know their swap partner by next weekend, but as the numbers are getting quite large it may be the second week in June when I return from my holiday - will keep you posted!

If you'd like to take part, please ensure your blog is linked up to your profile so I can find you when you comment - and active bloggers only please.

Lakota x

Opinions on the fair are my own. This is not a sponsored post.

Faith Hope and Charity Swapping! Let's do it!

Entry to the swap is now closed

I knew you'd be up for it! Any excuse to go shopping - and it's entirely guilt free. Quite a few of you have expressed an interest on my last post here, but I'm going to keep it open until the end of next week so other people can sign up too. I'll sort out the swap partners, then I reckon about 6 weeks for the hunting and gathering - what do you think? Do tell any blog friends you think would enjoy it, and if you could put the button below on your sidebar and link it back to this post, that would be great.

EDIT - If you are a new follower and are interested, can you please make sure there is a link to your blog on your profile so I can visit you before sorting the swap. This will take me a while to sort out as it is without having to message people first to find their blogs. Some people have commented but their blog isn't linked in. Thanks for your understanding x

• So, this is supposed to be fun and thrifty and I don't want to give too many orders, but I was thinking at least 3 items, with a maximum of 5.
• At least one item must be sourced from a charity shop/boot sale/garage sale/jumble or similar
• At least one item should be handmade - it doesn't have to be handmade by you if you're not crafty!
• One item should be jewellery of some description
• Try and get a sense of what your swap partner likes from their blog posts, pictures etc - and it's not cheating to ask them questions before hand!
• There is no minimum spend. If you are thrifting genius who sources art deco jewellery from jumble sales for 25p, all the better! Absolute maximum spend is £12 but there is no need to spend this amount if not necessary - remember you will need to post things too.
• I'm sure I don't need to say this, but do give anything second hand a launder / clean up if necessary!
• Remember to let your partner know when you receive your parcel, and then it would be lovely if you posted about the swap so we can all share what we got.

Any thoughts or suggestions? Does the money element sound right to you? I don't want to be bossy, but I don't want anyone being disappointed either!

Lakota x

Kylie's groovy Grannies and other delights

Look what the postman brought me -a  pink paper package tied up with string! [OK, first it was in a giant paper postal sack with a customs label, but that isn't so pretty, or as easy to bastardize song lyrics for.]

It's a parcel from the very lovely Kylie at Lucy Violet Vintage who blogs about her incredible op-shop and roadside finds in Perth, Australia. If you haven't checked out her site yet, wherever have you been? Kylie got sick of me bellyaching that there were no granny blankets to be had in my neck of the woods - at least not without paying silly money - and promptly shipped some off to me. Vintage granny blankets made by vintage Aussie Nannas - I love them! (Kylie had been a bit worried that by the time the boat came in I'd have made my own, but those of you who have seen my crochet endeavours here and here will know that was never going to be very likely).

I was further spoiled this week by our resident flamingo fancier and kitsch lover Scarlett of Scarlett loves Elvis who sent me a patriotic Welsh dragon apron she pounced on for me in a charity shop - perfect for making my welshcakes. (It was also in pink paper, but I was too busy ripping it open to find a camera). I haven't got a decent photo yet so you will have to imagine its glory, but here's a pic of my new yurrhrin's (as they are inexplicably pronounced in the valleys), also from Scarlett. They're brilliant - and I have the perfect nail varnish to match. Thanks lovely! 

Finally, thanks ever so much to Janys from Arty Crafty Stuff, who recently sent me one of her gorgeous  notepads, handmade with her own block printed painting on the cover. It's gone straight into my new (to me) handbag. You can see more of Janys' work on her blog or at her DaWanda shop

Anyway, whilst out and about in the charity shops and boot sales of South London I have also found myself spotting things I think my blogging buddies would like, and it got me thinking. I've seen swaps on other blogs - does anyone fancy Faith Hope and Charity Swapping? I haven't thought the details through fully yet - now there's a surprise - but it would probably involve letting me know you fancy it, me sorting out the swappers (I'm guessing most will be in the UK, but if you'd be up for posting internationally, or if I can find a swapper in your country, then great) and deciding on a little budget, theme and deadline. Then you check your partner's blog, find out a bit about them, and look out for second hand treasure and handmade loveliness you think they'd like. Result - everyone gets lovely parcels in the post. Anyone up for it? Let me know and I'll sort out a button and an 'official' post.

Lakota x

Edit: You don't have to blog about second hand stuff particularly, open to anyone who fancies it