My time at the Village Vintage fair

7th July 2012....My first ever Vintage Fair!

I am an avid collector of stuff!  So much so that it had got to the point of either my Husband moves out or I sell some of my 'bits'.  My husband won this battle (for now) and I decided that I needed to take the bull by the horns and sell for real at a proper vintage fair.  I have dabbled in Ebay over the years and whilst its a great selling tool, what I really wanted to do and where my passion lies is in vintage fairs.  I love going to them and seeing and touching all the lovely things on offer so why not sell at one too?



I had been to a Village-Vintage fair last year and knew that this was the one for me.  It encompassed everything I love, vintage, faded treasures, cake and tea, what more could a girl want!  So I sent of my application form and waited till the big day.  Luckily I have a very helpful and understanding husband, Mark, who helped load the van (I had a LOT of stuff) and came with me for moral support.  Once we got there, the nerves kicked in and I nearly turned round and walked straight back out.  I was with the professionals, whose stalls all looked so gorgeous and beautifully staged that I felt like an imposter.  However everyone was so incredibly friendly and helpful that I soon got in the swing of it and had the best time.  I met and spoke to the other stallholders, who like me all seem to have a real passion for what they do and love the items they buy.  The general public were also very friendly and it was a real pleasure to see people buying things that they really loved and to see the enthusiasm for their purchases.  Even though I had lived with my treasures for so long and I found it really hard to let go, knowing they were off to a new home to be enjoyed made the parting easier (I can be a little dramatic at times!)

My stall

Another photo of my stall!

Gorgeous original 1930s french peach mirrored frame

A couple of Japanese 1960s pose dolls

French fabric boxes and french frames, J'adore!

I have to admit that whilst I sold quite a lot of stuff, I also bought some as well even before I'd actually made any money, whoops!  My favourite being a very cool laundry box that came from an Eastbourne Launderette.  I'm from Eastbourne so it had sentimental value to me and it looked really cool!  I bought it from Jean at http://shrimptonandperfect.blogspot.co.uk/.  I liked Jean the moment I met her and knew that she was a lady after my own heart.  She sells lots of vintage and retro items and I hope that I meet up with her again, she's got good taste!

My new laundry box

I love the fact that the phone number only has 3 digits!

 I also met Lizzie aka The Washerwoman and bought a couple of bits from her including this super sweet little green stool and a gorgeous French mirror with its pretty flowers and pretty screw covers.

Little green stool and oh so pretty mirror

Close up of the pale blue fabric flowers on the mirror

 I came away from the fair feeling very pleased with myself that I had finally plucked up the courage to do something I love.  I met some lovely people, bought some fabulous things and sold a little too (husband is safe for now!).  In fact I was so inspired that I created this blog, came up with the name Faded Rose Vintage and can't wait for the next fair...............This could be the start of something big!