Here we are again ...
That time of year when it's ok to be a little bit weird, just for a day of course!
Was going to come up with a really scary artwork involving monsters, ghosts etc etc, but looking around all I can see is the VERY scary future that our doomed country faces ...
Enjoy ...
After another eventful ArtPix week(!), I'm off to Devon for a few days to visit some of the ArtPix Clan.
When I get back I'll hopefully have some news of markets, and updates on my latest projects and designs.
Fingers crossed for more luck as well!!!
See ya soon ...
Someone somewhere is trying to tell me something ...
Having had to cancel a few outdoor events recently, I was really looking forward to doing the INDOOR Exeter Flea Market yesterday .......
BUT
Having prepared all week to get ready, very early on Saturday morning, the electrics at ArtPix Towers decided to go haywire. So instead of going to the market, I was calling a sparky to come round and fix things.
Triffic...
So, as well as losing the stall money, there was the loss of potential earnings, meaning October and September have been a bit of a disaster.
GGRRRR!!!!
Fingers will be very crossed for my next fair .... LOU LOU'S VINTAGE FAIR in Bournemouth on 10th November!!!
Fortunately my unit at THE CUSTOMS HOUSE in West Bay has continued to do well.
PHEW!!
Sales have been up from last year, which is pretty rare these days for any business.
I'm putting loads of football related stuff in there this week.
So run along if you fancy any retro football programmes and designs of your favourite teams!
I do love a bit of Mid-Century ...
And I especially like the 50s magazine racks ...
Usually they are metal, with the Atomic age rounded feet in plastic, but I'd never seen a wooden and brass one before ...
Its still clearly 1950s, and is a real gem, with its unusual design and because of the materials used.
It has a sturdy, but elegant feel to it, and as with all these classics, has the rounded feet, but this time made of wood.
It would be perfect for any Mid-Century or retro fan, who has a funky living room, to use this to store your vintage 50s magazines.
It can actually be used to store a few records in as well.
So if you've been racking your brains wondering where to find one of these, then fear not, just run along to this Saturday's EXETER FLEA MARKET and find it on my stall!!!
See you there!
This Saturday I'll be at the Matford Centre in Exeter, for the excellent Exeter Flea Market!!
Haven't been there for a while, so will be great to be back at this brilliant market.
And I'm very pleased to say that it will be in INDOORS!!!!
No worrying all week about the weather, and will my stock get ruined or blown away in a gale!
I'm currently sifting through the ArtPix Stockroom to dig out some vintage gems to bring along.
I've already found these absolutely amazing 1960s animal place mats ...
Eight mats with four different groovy designs, they would look great on a kitchen table in a funky kitchen!
So if you fancy these, then place your order at the EXETER FLEA MARKET this Saturday!!
See you there!
Thought I would show you another of my little rescue/upcycle projects ...
A lovely small 1930s travel case.
I found it looking forlorn and forgotten, so it needed a new lease of life!
I cleaned it up and repaired a few loose bits hanging off.
Usually I would scrub off all the rust on the latches and handles, but I thought it added to the charm of this little case, so I left it.
It also matches the overall colour scheme!
Then to cover up the tatty lining inside, I used pages from an original newspaper from 1936, giving it an extra authentic touch.
These cases make great storage, and although this one is a little 'un, it could still be used to store a collection of vintage items, like magazines or postcards.
So just in case you fancy this, pop along to this Saturday's LANGPORT VINTAGE MARKET and find it on my stall!!
See you there!
This Saturday I'll be at the lovely Langport Vintage Market in super Somerset!!
This will be my first visit to this splendid market, so I'm really looking forward to it.
I've started picking out bits and pieces to bring along, including these two gorgeous vintage stools that I rescued and upcycled ...
Both are from the 1950s and would look great in a groovy kitchen or even a cool café.
When I found it, this stool had the indignity of having a hideous pink and frilly cover on it!!
But underneath I could see the amazing original yellow vinyl cover, and knew it was worth rescuing!
And this gem was also looking a little forlorn and passed its best, until I painted it red and restored the funky 50s seat cover!
So if you fancy any of these, leg it to Langport and find me in the Undercroft at the Town Hall!!!
See you there!
Here we are in October already!!
The weather stopped me doing a few markets over the last couple of months, so I'm very pleased that I've started booking up some indoor and undercover ones for the Autumn and Winter!!
First up will be a brand new one for me – LANGPORT VINTAGE MARKET in deepest Somerset on 12th October.
This is a great market and I'm really looking forward to this.
I'll be in an area of the Town Hall called the Undercroft, which means, hooray, no rain to worry about!
I've been working on a few upcycling and furniture restoring projects recently, and have just finished an unusual Art Deco light. Once I've taken some photos, I'll show you!
Last Saturday I went up to London to see Chelsea play, a rare occasion for me these days.
What was even scarcer was that it was a Premier League match at 3pm on a Saturday!!
With TV moving matches around these are very rare indeed.
Made a nice change as I usually see only cup games, especially when I worked in London, I would pop along straight from work in midweek.
Made my usual stop at the Gate 17 publishers stall outside Fulham Broadway Station...
These lads are 'Proper Chels' and bring out loads of quality books, and the iconic Chelsea fanzine CFCUK.
Was very pleased to get a copy of Carefree! – Chelsea Chants & Terrace Culture signed by co-author Mark Worrall.
Carrying on the football theme, I'm also doing another of my Retro Football collages.
This time it's LEEDS UNITED.
Although always controversial, no-one can deny they are an integral part of the classic football era of the 60s and 70s.
I've had loads of requests to do a collage of them, and it's been great getting together all the bits and pieces ready for scanning and photographing.
I'll let you know when it's finished!!
Spirits have been low after a not-particularly-successful Summer, so fingers crossed for a brilliant last few months of the year.
You can keep in touch with all my markets on my website, and I'll keep you posted here as well.
