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

Here comes Steffini

Somebody has been looking forward to the start of Wimbledon haven't they Steffini Grafter?!

The summer season is upon us so the dolls will be coming out to play, you have been warned!

I'm not one for gossip but.............

"Hyacinth! Now you know I'm not one for gossip but I had to tell you that Faded Rose Vintage has had a little mention in 91 magazine. That's right, It's Patchwork Harmony on Facebook"

"Its only a little mention, one line in fact but its also a jolly good article about one of her favorite fairs, The Vintage & Handmade Fair in Chipping Sodbury. 
Here's the link: http://issuu.com/91magazine/docs/craftspecfinal, page 74 if you're interested.

"I wouldn't normally mention it but you know what she's like, she'll dine out on it for years."

"Yes just like she did when she appeared on Sun, Sea and Bargain Spotting with Angela Rippon. In fact I'm surprised its taken her this long to mention it"

"Oh yes Rippers is still high kicking and talking about the time she danced with Morecombe and Wise in their 1976 Christmas special."

"No FRV didn't win. I think it had something to do with the fact that her 'expert' was most famous for appearing on Boot Sale Challenge on an obscure Sky channel at 3 in the morning. Apparently he told FRV that the experts were there to make the contestants look good. I mean REALLY!  Who's making who look good now eh? Who has one line written about them in a magazine and who can't be found when you google them?"

"It was also rather funny that they all took themselves to be wine experts but when it came to ordering the wine, and I'm mentioning no names here but lets call him Bunty, he ordered a dessert wine to go with the main course of a Cassoulet.  Lets hope he knows more about antiques than he does wine!"

"No she isn't bitter at all and no you can't find it on Iplayer, she's checked!"

"Anyway I have to go Hyacinth as I have to get ready for Loulou's piano recital. You know Loulou, bouffant hair, filthy rich, yappy dog. Yes that's right always has a bit of lipstick on her teeth"

"No I'm afraid you aren't invited dear, Au resevoir!"

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 :)