The story of a Jiffy bag addiction.

I have a strange addiction to collecting jiffy bags and cardboard boxes.  Every time I get something in the post I keep the packaging.........just in case.  The fact I don't send anything in the post so don't actually need 100 used jiffy bags or 50 large cardboard boxes doesn't come into it. I also like to collect tissues and ALWAYS have one about my person.  I don't like the tissues you get in handy pocket sized packets as they're too smooth so I always seem to have varying sizes of loose tissues in my bag, in my pockets, up my sleeve, shoved under my bra strap.  It's a habit Mark hates but I just can't stop!  Anyway to help with the jiffy and box addiction I decided to go cold turkey and throw away ALL the bags and boxes in one go. Mark had to lend a hand otherwise I would have kept my favourite ones and been back to square one.  Whilst sorting the bags out I came across an envelope which contained 5 old French prints that I bought ages ago and completely forgot about so not only do I have more room and no longer have to climb a mountain of jiffy bags to get into bed but I found some forgotten prints that I love and am looking forward to framing and hanging. A win win situation although the tissue situation is still very much the same :)

All the fun at the fair

Thursday saw me have my first stall at the Sussex Country Brocante and as I said in my other post, I was a little apprehensive.  Well I don't know why I had been so worried, I had a fantastic day!

After packing the car up and several nervous wee's later, Mark and I set off in the Sussex sunshine to the gorgeous village of Wisborough Green.  Once we got there we parked up, I found Lucy and procured my spot and got to work unloading.  I like to say that I take on a supervisory role in these situations, Mark would say that I am just downright bossy and I heard a few mutterings from him as we unpacked.  The thing is, I like things to be just so and I like other people (I mean Mark) to do them just how I like them.  If they don't do it my way then I feel a gentle nudge in the right direction is all that is needed.  Mark feels that I should just do it myself in that case ;)

 After unpacking, my stall was ready.  I was really pleased with the way it looked but you look around and see how everyone has done theirs and wonder if yours is good enough.  The thing to remember is that everyone has their own style and the best thing you can do is stick to your own way of displaying things.  It will look much more natural and appealing to people because you have put some of your personality into the look.  I really should listen to my own advice sometimes.

My stall

My stall

Oh look, my stall again!

Klumpe doll packed and ready for the off!

So once I was happy with the way it looked and I'd got Mark to man the stall, I went off to have a look round and to take photos.  I think Mark was about to send out a search party as I was gone for ages!  I was having a lovely time chatting to people, looking at their wares and taking photos.  I am shy by nature and I always stick to who and what I know so whilst I had met some of the stallholders before, others I was meeting for the first time.  This really pushes me out of my comfort zone BUT everyone really is so friendly and welcoming that you feel like you've met up with old friends.  Its also brilliant to finally meet people whose page you follow on Facebook and see whether they really are as nice as they come across.  I can say with my hand on my heart that the answer is a resounding yes!  Everyone is there for the same reason, because they love what they do.  They are all very encouraging of each other and it feels like there is a real community spirit.

Below are the photos that took me so long to take!

Harriett's Attic a place of Vintage Treasures

Harriett's Attic a place of Vintage Treasures

Harriett's Attic a place of Vintage Treasures

Just on the other side of us was Caroline from Harriett's Attic a place of Vintage Treasures.  She has just lovely things although like me she was worried she had bought the wrong things.  She needn't have worried as she has a very good eye and some lovely treasures.  I especially heart the elephant!

Gazehound Vintage

Gazehound Vintage

Next to meet was Julia from Gazehound Vintage.  Her stall had a distinct autumnal air and she had a great selection of goodies.  I shall look forward to seeing Julia again at the Village-Vintage and following her posts on Facebook.

Cake Angel Sussex

Now this was just downright cruel, putting our table next to Sara's from Cake Angel Sussex.  The temptation was enormous as I loooooove cake!  My lovely husband decided he couldn't resist and purchased two.  I didn't see either of them, I literally turned around and they were gone, he did kindly put the rubbish in my bag though!  I am informed that they were delicious, I think I need to be quicker next time :)

Faded Charm

Faded Charm

Next I said hello to Louise from Faded Charm.  She had just come back from a buying trip in France and her stall was again very autumnal, warm and inviting.  Louise owns Faded Charm in Steyning, it is a beautiful shop and well worth a visit if you are in the area.

At Little Susie

At Little Susie

I met Susie who sells the most gorgeous vintage linens.  They really are beautiful and real heirloom pieces.  Check out her handmade linen bags At Little Susie

Mimi's Vintage

Mimi's Vintage

Mimi's Vintage

Now I didn't actually get to speak to Michelle from Mimi's Vintage but I did linger by her stall for longer than was strictly necessary taking in all the feminine prettiness.  So soft and pretty!

Rosiebud Designs

Rosiebud Designs

Rosiebud Designs

Rosiebud Designs

Next was Jill from Rosiebud Designs.  I have seen Jill at several fairs and her stall always delivers.  This time she had some gorgeous handmade advent calenders that she makes herself, something that will last year after year.  You can see a great pic of the advent calender on her Facebook page Rosiebud Decorative Vintage also take a look at her lovely blog www.nicedayatrosies.blogspot.co.uk/

Found Country Antiques

Found Country Antiques

Found Country Antiques

The last photos I took are of Michelle's stall from Found Country Antiques.  She had crockery, dollies. cosy woollen socks and lovely old chippy bits of furniture.  I wanted a bit of everything.

After I'd taken the photos I returned to my stall to do what I had actually gone there to do, sell.  I had a few customers and sold some smaller items so I was happy.  I only bought a couple of things whilst I was there so I actually made a bit of profit too, bonus!  I also had a gorgeous lady on the stall next to me called Lee who sells china and makes bunting.  She really made my day and I was so lucky to have a stand next to her.  I especially loved it when her mum, who had been looking after her 6 month old baby, brought him in to say hello.  He was so cute and made me a little broody!

It really is a lovely day out for stallholders and shoppers alike.  The stalls are varied and there were many more than I've added here.  Some include: Gil Fox Hat designs, Catherine from Catherine's Country Cottage selling her fascinators, the lovely Debbie and Victoria from Theo & Bernice, Ayres & Grace with their gorgeous handmade vintage style horses and terriers.  There was even a flower stand and of course the tea room selling homemade cakes and serving tea and coffee.

At 4pm it was time to pack up and say goodbye, I'm really looking forward to the next one which I will be doing on my own this time.  It doesn't matter though as I feel so relaxed in these ladies company that I am more than happy for Mark to get back to his day job, I'll just make sure I bring him home a cupcake!

Look what I've got.............

........ my new flyers!

I am very lucky in the fact that my husband, Mark, is a graphic designer and has helped me enormously by turning my visions into reality.  I'm not the easiest of people to work with as I have very specific ideas on how I want things to look, a Designer's nightmare!  Anyway after a couple of false starts, we have created this blog and something I'm very excited about, my flyers.  The flyers were hard to create as I wanted to get across what I'm about but everything I liked just wasn't working.  In the end I found a picture I'd bought from France, Mark worked his magic and the first side of my flyer was born.

First side of my flyer

 We then discussed what should go on the back of the card and we realised that to really get across  who Faded Rose Vintage is, we had to include the items that I buy and love.

Second side of my flyer

Mark had already taken the photos which you can see on my other posts and we included these on the flyer.  I think it works really well and as I am a happy wife, Mark will have a happy life!

Whilst designing the website and flyers I realised two things.  A.  I'm not always right and B. I'm not always right!  As I said I have very exacting ideas that don't always translate onto paper no matter how much I want them to.  Luckily, after a few 'discussions' we got there and created something I love and am very proud of.

Thank you Mark for making it a reality!