I have officially opened my new Etsy shop!

Two years ago I set up an Etsy shop. Two years later I've finally stocked my shop! Unfortunately Faded Rose Vintage had already been taken so on Etsy I am known as FadedVintageRose. I have listed some of my Roldan and Klumpe dolls

and will be adding lots of French faded treasures over the next few weeks so be sure to check back often.

FadedVintageRose

A day out with the girls

Now, you may or may not know that I have a certain passion for collecting cloth dolls.  Not just any old doll but a certain kind called Roldan Dolls.  They were made in Spain in the 1950s/60s as tourist dolls and each has its own character.  The dolls are highly stylised and each have their own accessories and I would say, personalities.  It was because of this that I decided that it would be a great idea to take them out and photograph them as though they were on an outing somewhere.

The main character in this sequence of photos is Finoula Bucketwash who likes to drive in the countryside in her classic car with her beloved pooch, Alfred. 

Before she set off, Finoula wanted to make sure everything was tickety boo with the car so she took it to the local garage for a service.

Bert the mechanic (who had a little bit of a crush on Finoula so liked to look smart for her) was happy to service her and said that everything was fine although it maybe an issue that the car had no wheels.  Finoula didn't care about a tiny detail like that and off she went.

As she was driving along she saw a lonely hitchhiker thumbing a lift.  Heidi the hitchhiker had made her way to England all the way from Germany and she had one last little bit of her journey to go. Hoping Finoula would take pity, she stuck out her thumb and.............

........watched as Finoula just drove on past.  Finoula didn't like the look of Heidi the hitchhiker especially as she didn't approve of smoking.  She didn't want Alfred exposed to any unnecessary bad habits.

On she drove leaving Heidi at the roadside.  During her drive she came across........

........some cows in their shed and........

........some horses in their field.  Alfred loves horses and cows and barked his head off when he saw them, woof, woof, woof.  Despite the car not having any wheels, Finoula managed to make it to the tea rooms........

........where she enjoyed a cup of tea and a flapjack.  Alfred was allowed a dog biscuit which he gobbled down and thoroughly enjoyed.

After tea, Finoula set off again towards the church.  In the distance she thought she saw her dear friend Betty.

Betty had been enjoying a stroll in the  bluebell woods with her faithful hound, Henry. Betty got to the gate of the church........

 ........where she thought she spied Finoula.  "Finoula, Finoula, is that you Finoula?" she called.

Finoula skidded to a halt, " Betty!  How marvellous to see you" she said

They stopped and chatted for a while until Betty suddenly exclaimed " Finoula, don't turn round now but you'll never guess who just walked out of the church..............married!"

"Only Jemima and that awful, dreadful bore of a man Cuthbert.  Now you know I'm not one for gossip but I hear he's rather partial to a lady's undergarment". On that statement, Betty turned, gave one last close up look at the happy couple and waved goodbye to Finoula.

Finoula was somewhat appalled by the thought of Cuthbert enjoying a too familiar relationship with a lady's undergarment so she too made her escape by carrying on driving through the country lanes.

Just as Finoula was driving along, a heavily pregnant Cynthia stepped out of her cottage with her darling little boy,  Tarquin.

Finoula being the good friend she is, stopped to offer Cynthia a lift

Cynthia decided that because the car didn't actually have any wheels she may be better off walking.  That and the fact she didn't want Tarquin pulling Alfred's tail.

With a toodle pip, Finoula set off on her way back home already planning her next trip, this time to the seaside.

The end.

All words and photos ©Faded Rose Vintage 2013

1950s Roldan Dolls in the snow

I love the snow.  I love how it makes everywhere look so pretty (as long as its not slush!) and I love how it reminds me of being a kid again making snowmen and having snowball fights so when it snowed again this morning I couldn't wait to get out and take some photos.  Only problem was I've already taken photos of all my new stock but then I remembered I have a wonderful collection of Roldan Dolls that would look fantastic photographed against the snowy background.  Mark and I set of with the dolls and some props and slid our way to the park.  Here are the results!

Waiting for a bus anyone?

Anyone for Tennis

Roldan dolls originate from Spain in the 1950s/60s and are tourist dolls.  They come in many different guises, some being rarer than others.

Off to a christening

Nice day for the beach!

I have collected them over the years but very very rarely have I found them at fairs or in shops apart from 2 that I found at the Brighton Boot Sale which was a bit random.  I have mainly found them on the internet where prices can vary greatly.  Having said that though my favourite is this lady...........

.......who I found in Wardrobe, a vintage and antique shop specialising in vintage clothing and jewellery in Brighton.  The detail is superb, right down to her seamed stockings and garters!

Pregnant lady and her little boy

Here comes the bride

Hope he's strong!

Anyone for a bit of apres ski?

And finally the secretary who reminds me of my mum only because my mum used to be a secretary in London in the 1960s.  I'm not sure she actually looked like this!

There are some other dolls which are very similar to these called Klumpe.  They too come in many different characters but their faces are slightly different and I don't think the detailing is always as good.  Roldan are my preferred choice of doll and I think they are GREAT!

Hope you enjoy the photos as much as I enjoyed taking them :)

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!