Not So Super Market @ Start The Bus

Today was the 'Not So' Supermarket event at Start The Bus and my first attempt at selling my homemade wares. A and I got there early to secure a spot, set up our stall and selling everything from videos and fairy cakes to button hair grips and fabric brooches.

Bringing A's rail this time was a stroke of genius as it gave the punters a chance to skim through our unwanted clothes and vintage bits and bobs, and it wasn't too terrifying to put together either. We used old scarves as a table cloth and tried to arrange everything to be as eye catching as possible, see pictures above and below.

Events such as this and the Jumble Sale are great but they do attract some cool shoppers and sellers, which sadly we were not! Once again we were very excited, even more so this time as we had both made lots of accessories. Everything, from setting up the stall to having customers comment on (or even touching) or stock was exciting, and ha us in fits of giggles, as did a poorly constructed paper plane!

Taking a peak at other stalls, A and I agreed that our table/rail look like one of the best at set to work trying to lure shoppers in with smiles and cakes. After a slow start A's old clothes were soon flying off the rails and I sold a pair of Hong Kong coin earrings and a treasured Breakfast Club video.

Sadly I didn't sell much more than that, except for my pink fairy cakes which were very popular as they were undercutting the competition by about 60p (something I didn't realise until I noticed the owners of the other cake stall giving me evil looks).

Lots of people were interested in the plectrum earrings and button hair slides but unfortunately many wanted something slightly different to what we had with us. A couple of people also commented that they might try making their own which was frustrating but understandable; after all, that's how I found myself staying up till 1am sewing buttons onto hair grips!

Even thought I didn't sell that much I had such a great time and both A and I are really into the idea of having a regular stall once I'm back from America in December - a great opportunity to sell some of our handmade bits and bobs as potential Christmas presents.

If you can't wait till December then check out the next Jumble Sale on 18th October and the next 'Not So' Supermarket event on 1st November.

Above: Our stall in all it's glory.

Above: A selection of hair grips and earrings, including my faves: the Barbie shoe earrings.

The bestseller of the day: vanilla fairy cakes with pink butter cream icing.

Whistle While You Work...

Ahead of the 'Not So' Supermarket on Sunday, here are a few sneak peaks of how I've been spending my evenings. I have stabbed myself with needles, pins and and scalpels far too many times than should be necessary for a budding jewelery designer! Fabric rosettes, barbie shoes and buttons are making an appearance in this debut, ramshackle collection...

Coins and buttons and shoes, oh my!

The treasured box of buttons, courtesy of good ol' Nan!

Rags and Riches at Montpelier Bean Feast

Yesterday saw a resurrected Bristolian event that hasn't been seen since the 1700's. The Montpelier Bean Feast took over St Andrews Road and Montpelier Park for a day of good old-fashioned fun: think arts & crafts, homemade cakes and bric-a-brac stalls.

It was therefore, the perfect place to spend Saturday afternoon, having a wonder and a rummage, to see what the folks of Montpelier had donated in they way of clothes, accessories and, er, doll's heads.


Despite being tempted by an over-priced turquoise ring, my rummaging partner in crime settled for a cute pair of earrings for £1.50, while I found this gorgeous coin bracelet, above. As the antique price tag shows, it was also a bargain at £1, just about within my budget. I have always loved coin jewellery, regardless of how 1990s or faux ethnic it looks. This bracelet is similar to a bracelet I own made of 1940's dime coins welded together so I might pair them up.

A cynic could say that this pull towards cash is a cover-up for my desire for money, but perhaps it is just the childish pursuit of treasure that gets me going. This bracelet has coins from Poland, Denmark, Turkey and the US, dating from 1875 to 1951: who knows how these coins came to be on one bracelet, who made it, were these coins found or were they just from one well-traveled jeweller? Mystery is exciting and stylish.

Chanel have often used coins to inspire their jewellery collections, such as this bracelet from their Spring/Summer 2009 collection. A bangle with coins inset, this is more modern, less gypsy but is a typical example of money-influenced designs.

Not only was the bracelet a steal but the lovely old lady who sold it to me even put it in this tiny red envelope, above, which I believe is a symbol of good luck and prosperity in China. Maybe I've just purchased a good luck charm!?

Granny Chic: A Vintage Goldmine (continued)

I'm aware that my last post didn't go into too much detail about the sheer volume of accessories that can be acquired from granny so a bit more on that now...

As with any trend you might be a little unsure of, accessories provide the perfect fashion pool to dip your toe in, without getting soaking wet. If you're unsure of how vintage/granny chic will look (or how to convince granny to give up the goods) then a pair of shoes or printed scarf are a great place to start.

Chances are that your old lady friend will have accumulated a fair few scarves, bags and pairs of shoes in her time, whether she has an interest in fashion or not. Once again it is a likely bet that the accessories in question will have been kept neatly in their original boxes/packaging, keeping them in good condition.

Shoes - can be a great find if you and granny are a similar size though be warned: shoe that are more than 30 years old are likely to be slimmer across the ball/toe than what you might be used to. If you have wide feet or ankles then this might be an accessory you have to miss out on. This tan leather shoes, far left, are a key example and require Party Feet and a large quantity of alcohol to wear comfortably!

Scarves - printed, woven, wool or silk; a decent square scarf is the multi-tasker of the accessory world. Tie it round your neck for a 50's air hostess look or tie through the handle of a tired looking bag for instant fashion refreshment. You could of course always drape one around your neck and shoulders when cold! My personal favourites are brightly coloured paisley prints on silk, above.

Jewellery - Depending on her taste, your gran may have anything from pearls to pewter in her collection. If you like decorative, costume jewellery then you may be in luck. An example of what my elderly fashionista has given to me can be seen above, right, and includes some plastic fuchsia beads (great for daytime), a beautiful stone brooch inset into tarnished gold (perfect for smartening up hats and lapels) and some trashy gold bracelets (great for adding a bit of bling on a night out).

Bags - leather clutches and small, evening bags are all the rage right now and granny may well have a couple she wants to get rid of. Be sure to look out for detailed clasps and a decent lining. Be sure to give back anything your granny may have left inside her bag as although you admire her style, you probably don't have much need for lace handkerchiefs and plastic combs!