List of Vintage, Antique and Collectable Fairs for June 2013

Bit late this month with the list of fairs so apologies for that especially as so many are happening this weekend!  Hopefully you'll still have time to plan your weekend though :)

First of all is:

Village-Vintage, a huge 2 day event at Plumpton Racecourse in the Sussex countryside.  Doors open at 10am Friday 31st May until 5pm and reopen at 10am Saturday 1st June.  This promises to be a great event that will have something for everyone and as the sun as promised to make an appearance. it will make a great day out.

On the same weekend is The Floral Fringe Fair held in the beautiful surroundings of Knepp Castle in West Grinstead.  This is another 2 day event with doors opening at 10.30am Saturday 1st June.  A slightly different vibe to this fair as it is described as:
The Floral Fringe Fair is a quirky, foodie, arty , plantaholics wildlife event with a vintage twist! 
There are over 100 stalls and wildlife is a very important theme at the fair. The Bat, Bumblebee, Endangered Species and Wildlife Trusts, Amateur Entomologists and Ancient Trees and Countryside Restoration Trust will be there plus lots of local food producers, many nurseries selling a range of plants, art and craft stalls, woodland products, willow weaving and some fabulous alternatives for eating. A vintage pop-up tearoom, wood-fired oven pizzas, vegetarian bhajis and pakoras, 40 different coffees and teas, lots of cakes, a steak burger barbecue, real ale tent and ice creams plus much more! We have some folk music to entertain you and Mythago Morris dancing on Sunday. There are butterfly walks and talks. There will also be classic cars on show. Anyone coming in a pre-1975 car gets a small discount on their ticket. The private walled garden will be open to visit and lastly Home Front History will be meeting and greeting as 1940's policemen!

I'm exhausted just reading that but it sounds like a really great, unusual event so try and make it if you can!

Also this weekend is the Farnham Maltings Vintage Festival.  Doors open at 10am on Sunday 2nd June.  I've never been to this fair but it sounds like great fun and my friends Lizzie aka The Washerwoman and Jean aka Shrimpton and Perfect will be there with their fine selection of vintage goodies so do go and say hello.

The Sandown Park Antique and Vintage Fair is on Tuesday 4th June and doors open at 11am.

I found this flyer at one of the fairs and I thought it looked really interesting. The Old Spitalfields Antiques and Vintage Flea Market is what interests me as there weren't great reviews of the Covent Garden Antiques Market but you can't believe everything you read so its always best to try them out for yourselves.  The Spitalfields Market is every Thursday and opens at 8am, a very respectable time I think!

Another well known London Antiques Market, Bermondsey Antiques Market.  I've never been but it sounds like an experience especially in the old days when it was still a Marche Ouvert meaning the provenance of the goods could not be questioned! Open every Friday from 5am.

The Wealden Times Midsummer Fair is a three day event at Hole Park, Rolvenden in Kent.  It starts on Thursday 6th June, doors open 9am and finishes on Saturday 8th June at 4.30pm. 
As well as 200 stands selling vintage and contemporary finds for home and garden, there will be a fabulous Food Arena with stands selling locally produced food and drink and a Street Food area with gorgeous vans feeding their hungry visitors!  There will also be cookery demonstrations and Hole Park estate is also a working farm so something for all the family.  My friend Caroline from Harriett's Attic a Place of Vintage Treasures is having a stand there so do pop by and say hello!

Tues 11th June sees the first Sunbury antiques Market of the month.  Held at Kempton Racecourse, entry is free, parking is free and doors open at 6.30am.

Saturday June 15th sees a new event for the Vintage and Handmade Vintage Jumble Sale.  This time it is at Selwyn Hall, Box, Corsham, Wiltshire, SN13 8NT.  Doors open 11am until 2pm so get there early to get the bargains!

The largest Antiques fair in the South East, Ardingly is on Tuesday 18th June, doors open 9am and Wednesday 19th June, doors open 8am.  So much to see that you need the whole day just to get round!

The Cuckfield Vintage Emporium is on Friday 21st June and doors open 11am.  Homes and Antiques will be there and so will I as I love going down and spending a couple of hours chatting, drinking tea and of course buying!  A lovely, relaxed monthly fair with some great sellers.

The Sussex Brocante is back this month after taking a break in May and will be on Saturday 22nd June.  Doors open 11am and as usual there will be a mix of wonderful sellers selling, vintage, antiques, country furniture and much more besides.

I've included this Fair at Killerton in Exeter as it looks like so much fun!  A 2 day extravaganza bought to you by Crikey! It's Vintage.  It has 80 traders, fashion shows, live music, old fashioned fairground rides, pop up beauty parlour, jive dancing, you name it, its here!  Open 11am Saturday 22nd June and 11am Sunday 23rd June.  Tickets are only £6 if booked in advance.

The last Sunbury Antiques Fair of the month is on Tuesday 25th June.  Doors open 6.30am

A new fair is the Kentish Affair Vintage Fair held in the beautiful village of Penshurst in Kent.  It sounds like its going to be a real old fashioned vintage fair and my friends Stephen and Judy from
All Things Vintage and Beautiful will be there with their colourful assortments and my friend SJ from Home Front Vintage will also be there with her amazing escape and evade cushions, passport covers, etc all made with genuine cold war maps.  A wonderful piece of history, reused so it isn't lost forever.  The fair is on Saturday 29th June and doors open at 10.30am.

Also on Saturday 29th June is renowned Interiors Stylist, Selina Lake's Handmade & Vintage Summer Fete.  I went to the book launch of her new book Pretty Pastel Style and had a great day.  This time there will be 50 stalls all handpicked by Selina and I just know it will be a great day out.

Saturday 29th June is proving to be popular as this is also the day that the Giant Vintage Rag Market is happening.  Bought to you by the ladies behind The Vintage Bazaar,  
all the handpicked 38 stall holders will be bringing oodles of vintage textiles to sell at rock bottom prices.  Get there early to grab a bargain.  Doors open 9am

A huge 2 day Architectural Salvage Fair is held at Knebworth House on Saturday 29th June and Sunday 30th June.  Salvo Fair brings you 80 exhibitors from Uk, Belgium, France, Hungary and Italy all bringing the best of their Architectural salvage and antiques.  Doors open 11am.

The Country Vintage & Artisan Bazaar  is held at Ripley Village Hall in Surrey and is on Sunday 30th June.  Doors open 11am.  Check the Facebook page to see photos of previous fairs and all the lovely wares on offer.

As always please check websites for opening times etc and have fun exploring a fair near you.

Happy Hunting!

Some new finds for the Brocante Antique and Decorative Fair

I haven't done one of these posts for a while and thought now was a good a time as any especially as I am getting ready for the annual Brocante Antique and Decorative Fair.  This year it is being held in the beautiful surroundings of Nonsuch Mansion in Cheam, Surrey and it promises to be filled with everything your vintage and antique heart desires.

The fair is actually next Thursday 9th May and you can still get advanced tickets by going to the website, Nikki Page Antiques.

So with the fair in mind I've been out buying and thought I'd share a few of my new finds with you.  I have to admit to being slightly apprehensive about the fair and whether my items will be good enough, if I sell anything etc.  After talking to a few of the other stall holders I realise I'm not alone in my worries and it actually helps to know others are feeling the same way so you can support each other.   Due to the way I had been feeling I have to admit that I had been buying things that weren't really me so no wonder I wasn't feeling confident!  You should always buy what you like and not what you think you should buy because 9/10 times you won't be able to sell it easily as you don't have the passion for it.  Obviously everyone needs to make money and sometimes I might buy something that isn't really me but I know there will be a profit, I just don't want to be doing that all the time so everything I'm selling isn't really me!

After giving myself a good talking too, I went to Kempton this week with a renewed vigour.  I thought sod it, I am literally just going to buy everything I love so I did and I am very happy with my decision :)

Old french faded pink watering can

Ok so after just saying these are things I found at Kempton I put a photo up of something I actually purchased from France and it isn't actually going to be for sale.  I received it Tuesday, opened the package and literally swooned, it is just so damn pretty.  It is also a mini size child's version which is even better and will make a great display piece.  The old green stool in the photo I did buy from Kempton but again isn't going to be for sale, it will be a display piece (I'm seeing a worrying trend here is ANYTHING actually going to be for sale?!)

Vintage roller boots

These will be, a pair of vintage roller boots with wooden wheels.  I just thought they were a bit of fun and a great display piece.  Not sure how safe they'd be to actually use!

Antique French fabric box

A huge old French fabric box found its way home with me.  I was walking past the hall to go to the outside stalls, saw this at 100 paces through the window and 30 secs later it was mine.

Vintage toy panda

I saw this little fellow stuffed in a bucket and there was no way I was leaving him there.  Full of character and a little bit sad looking.

At first glance this looked like a pretty green coloured vintage box, not very exciting but open it up and its full of old hymn numbers.

Baa baa white sheep

I thought this little lamb was so sweet and very pleased with myself until I showed Mark and he said and I quote "What the hell is it?"  I'm thinking at this point what the hell is wrong with YOU, it is clearly a lamb!

Pretty old French feather filled cushion.  Such a lovely pattern that's hard to find nowadays.

Bit of a different buy for me but I thought it was really interesting.  An old violin case with bow, strings and cushion and a wonderful, sumptuous red velvet lining.  Great display piece again.

Vintage parasol.  It made me think of summer, the seaside, sunshine, picnics and good times, I had to have it.

Old music hall poster.  I loved the graphics on it and thought it would look great displayed on someone's wall.

 A vintage mannequin which is half the size of a normal one.  I loved the size of it and the graphics.

A little French pale pink jug and bucket, so cute and so rusty but adds to their charm and the flowers look lovely in the jug.

Mini mangle

Daddy mangle

I managed to get a mini mangle and a bigger Triang mangle, I think these are great and have a mini one in my cabinet.  I especially like the fact that the little one is all wibbly wobbly, gives it a certain charm.

And finally this pink enamelled jug which I bought from Judy from All things vintage and beautiful. It is so beautiful but its staying right here with me as I love it so much! 

An eclectic mix but I really did buy with my heart this time and loved every minute.  It made the experience so much more enjoyable although I have to say parting with these treasures is going to be hard!

Really hope you are able to make the Brocante, there will be 50 stalls all selling beautiful items in wonderful surroundings and as always please do come and say hello :)

List of Antique, Vintage and Collectable Fairs April 2013

It's that time again when I compile my list of vintage, antique and collectables fairs.  All these fairs are taking place in the month of April and I have tried to include some new ones.  I have also added a link to the website where possible so do click to check times and dates.  If there are any other fairs that you would like to be included then please let me know.

Photo Courtesy of Arun fairs

Its no joke but the first fair of April is the Goodwood Racecourse Antiques and Collectors fair Monday 1st April.  Doors open 9am-4pm.  I haven't been to this fair for a long long time but it was always worth a trip especially as it only happens on bank holidays at Goodwood Racecourse.  Trade can go in from 7am. 300 plus stalls inside and out so there's bound to be something that takes your fancy.

Image courtesy of iacf

The largest event of its kind in Europe is the Newark International Antiques and Collectors Fair.  This is run by iacf who also run Ardingly and the sheer size o the fair has to be seen to be believed!  It is so huge and will easily take a day to get round maybe even two so its lucky that the first day entry also allows you entry on the Friday too.  The next fair is Thursday 4th April and Friday 5th April.  Doors open 9am-6pm Thursday and 8am-4pm Friday.  £20 entry on Thursday but this also allows you entry on Friday.  There are up to 2500 stalls to see so take a good pair of walking shoes and plenty of refreshments for refuelling.  Mark always has a slump and then he starts getting a bit niggly and not wanting to wander round anymore so I've learnt to make sure I have plenty of snacks to keep him going!  Only been twice but desperately want to go again, well worth the trek.

A bit closer to home for me is the Johnny Loves June Vintage & Handmade fair on Saturday 6th April.  Doors open 11am.  I have never been to this fair so do not know what its like but my friend and fellow stall holder Emily from Love Emily Vintage is going to be having a stall and she always sells lovely things so if her stall is anything to go by then all the others will be great too.  I also see they have a singing trio and jive demo which always adds to the atmosphere and makes it feel a bit like a vintage party!

photo courtesy of whitstablepeople.co.uk

On Saturday 6th April is Mainwaring's Seaside Brocante.  Doors open at 10am at St Mary's Hall, Whitstable.  I've been once and thought the fair was good and it certainly has a following and is popular with the London set.  On offer are vintage fabrics and clothing, silverware, antique jewellery, kitchenalia, home sewn vintage items, decorative antiques and homewares.  Whitstable is a wonderful old seaside town and its well worth going for the day out.  Lots of other vintage shops to peruse and of course the seafood and oysters are a must.  If the sun is shining and you fancy a realxing day mooching about then I'd recommend this fair and all the delights Whitstable has to offer.

According to their website Frock Me! is the original London Vintage fashion fair with a huge cult following.  It will take place on Sunday 7th April at Chelsea Town Hall, King's Road, Chelsea and doors open 11am.  It looks as though there is something for everyone and you're bound to find something special.  You might even bump into a celebrity or two!

Sunbury Antiques Market

My favourite!  That's right its Sunbury Antiques Market held at Kempton Racecourse.  The first fair in April is Tuesday 9th April and as always entry is free, parking is free and doors open at 6.30am.  A word of advice, take a torch with you if you get there really early although it may not matter as much when the clocks go back.  Its handy just so you can see a bit clearer and that you really are buying something that's blue and not fluorescent yellow!  Always remember to take LOTS of money too.

A new fair that started in March is the new monthly Cuckfield Vintage Emporium run by Darcy who also co-organises the hugely successful Village-Vintage events with Lucy from Love Lane Vintage.  This new fair is held at the Queen's Hall Cuckfield and the next one is Friday 12th April.  Doors open 11am.  A great range of sellers plus a rather fabulous clothes rail with lots of high end pre loved brands to be had.  Tory's cafe is serving the refreshments and you have to try the sausage rolls, absolutely delicious!

One I haven't heard of before but it sounded interesting is Dairy House Antiques 4th Annual Vintage Textile and Costume day.  I know there are an awful lot of people who love vintage textiles and costumes so I thought I would include it in my list.  It is on Sunday 14th April and doors open 10am.  It is being held at Station Road, Semley, Shaftsbury and is free entry and free parking.  There will be an array of antique and vintage textiles, clothing and other decorative items.  I think that the Dairy House has a good reputation so if textiles are your thing then give it a go!

Tuesday 16th April sees the doors open at 11am for the Sandown Park Antique and Vintage Fair.  300 stalls coming together to sell antiques, vintage, textiles, collectables and so much more.  Plus they have a unique starting point, doors open at 11am when a whistle sounds and that's when the dealers start unloading their wares.  So as the public go in, the dealers start putting their wares out.  It can be a little chaotic the first time you go as everything isn't already neatly set out for you but it adds to the fun and its a good market.  I've found lots of interesting little bits and pieces that I haven't seen anywhere else.  I haven't been for a while but they seem to deal mainly in smalls rather than large pieces of furniture.

My old faithful, The Sussex Country Brocante!  This month though the brocante will be on a Saturday adding a new dynamic to the fair.  There will still be many of your favourite stallholders plus some new faces and doors still open at 11am.  The date to put in your diary is Saturday 20th April.  Just follow the bunting and signs to Wisborough Green Village Hall.  A firm favourite for both atmosphere and quality of items.

The Spring Vintage Bazaar

As you know I had my first stall at The Vintage Bazaar in Devizes and now they're back in their usual location of Frome for The Spring Vintage Bazaar in Frome. The date is Saturday April 20th and doors open at 9am.  I'm a bit gutted about this as I'm not going to be able to make it and you all know how much I enjoyed Devizes.  Never mind as in only a week's time there will be another Vintage Bazaar that I will be attending, hooray!  Lots of wonderful stallholders will be at Frome and if you click on the link above you will be able to see who will be attending.  In my experience these fairs are well organised, well attended, interesting and full of things you just have to buy!

Detling Antiques Fair

Detling International Antiques & Collectors Fair is on Saturday 20th April and doors open 8.30am for trade and 10am for public.  Outside they have stalls selling larger pieces of furniture and inside is where you will find the smalls.  Generally about 300 stalls.

This is one I've never been to before but it looks interesting.  The Vintage Parade is held at Winchester Guildhall, Hampshire and doors open 11am on Sunday 21st April.  It looks like a fun fair with plenty of vintage stalls and live music to keep you entertained.

The Bath VA Vintage Fashion Fair is on Sunday 21st April and doors open 9.30am.  If you are a vintage fashion lover then this is the fair for you.  Held at Green Park Station in Bath and with free entry. this sounds like the perfect way to spend a Sunday especially as you can explore the beautiful city of Bath afterwards (I would recommend the Thermae Bath Spa for afters!).

The biggest fair in the South East is back on Tuesday 23rd April and Wednesday 24th April.  Doors open 9am Tues and 8am Wed.  I really enjoy Ardingly Antiques and Collectors Fair especially when the sun is shining as its lovely to be out in the fresh air perusing all the wonderful stalls.  My favourites are always the outside marquee tents.  There are up to 1700 stalls so you are bound to find something you want.  Remember the first day is always £20 entry but does allow for entry on Wed too.

Friday 26th April sees the second Country Fair and Antiques held in the pretty village of Loxwood at the Village Hall.  There's a vintage tearoom, outdoor swing/play area for children, free parking and of course lots of beautiful stalls selling your vintage wants and needs.

The Vintage Bazaar in Hartley Wintney

See I told you that you wouldn't have to wait long till the next Vintage Bazaar!  This time they are in Hartley Wintney at the Victoria Hall in West Green Road on Saturday 27th April and doors open 9.30am.  Really looking forward to this as I will have my first stand here.  I had visited the first Hartley Wintney fair last year and you can read about my experience here.  A great fair as a buyer so I'm looking forward to seeing what its like on the other side so to speak!

The Very Vintage Rottingdean Fair is on Saturday 27th April and doors open at 10am.  This sounds like a lovely little fair especially as there is a vintage Ice Cream van, hair and make up styling, tea shop and of course all the stalls selling vintage fashion, crafts and more!

Other fairs include:

• Belles Bridal Bazaar Brighton Saturday 27th April.  Doors open 12pm

• Festival of Vintage York Saturday 27th April and Sunday 28th April.  Doors open 10am

• Jukebox & Retro Fair  Saturday 27th April and Sunday 28th April.  Doors open 10am

• The Brighton Vintage Fair, Corn Exchange, Sunday 28th April.  Doors open at 12pm

•  Past And Present Fairs, St Mary's Hall Whitstable.  Sunday 28th April. Doors open 10.30am
• And finally the last Sunbury Antiques Market of the month is Tuesday 30th April.  Doors open 6.30am
  
  Please remember to click on the links to check for times etc.  Above are just a list of fairs which I have compiled to try and help make visiting some of these fairs a bit easier. All opinions are my own.

I really hope that the list helps especially as there are so many in April.  I've tried to list a varied amount and would love to hear from any of you who have visited or will be visiting to find out what you think of them.  Also please do let me know if there are any that I haven't included but you think should be on the list.

Happy Hunting Everyone!