Tuesday 28 August 2018

ARTPIX NEWS UPDATE!

Had a wonderful time at the WILTON ROTARY CAR BOOT SALE yesterday!
Our pitch was very close to the majestic Wilton House and we were doing splendidly well ... until the rain showers started!!!
Got through the first one, had dried everything off, then another shower came over. After the third one, it was abandon ship and reluctantly we had to pack everything away .
It was a disappointing end to a very productive day, had earlier sold loads of things and met some great people.
So I'm really looking forward to next year's event, but with one eye on the weather forecast!!!





My next major fair is on Saturday 22nd September at the VINTAGE SOMERSET VINTAGE FAIR at Wells Town Hall. Can't wait for this as it'll be another new event for me!!




Pleased to say my unit at THE CUSTOMS HOUSE, on the seafront at West Bay in Dorset, has been doing a roaring trade this summer!!!

This week I'll be adding a few more goodies, including a very elegant coffee pot made by Palissy, which has their Shadow Rose pattern. It was produced around 1958 and goes for a whopping £30+ on eBay, but don't worry, I'll be doing it at a bargain price!!!
Get down there to see how much and for lots more vintage fun!




And don't forget I'm still working away on my brand new website.
A few of the sections are finished already, and if we get anymore rainy days, I'll have another go at it!! 
You can see the work in progress HERE



That's it for now, but keep in touch for more news!


Saturday 25 August 2018

CHANGE OF PLAN!

Just letting you know, that because of the awful weather forecast for tomorrow, I'll be unable to attend the Giant Shepton Flea Market.

Really gutted to not be going there, but it would be just too risky with the heavy rain expected.

HOWEVER!!
I have a Plan B! 

I'll now be at the WILTON ROTARY CAR BOOT SALE at the wonderful Wilton House near Salisbury on Bank Holiday Monday.

Set in the grounds of the majestic house, this long-running event started in 1983, and will be a fantastic alternative.


So come along and savour the splendour of Wiltshire's Wilton House, and check out all the vintage and retro goodies as well!!

Look out for the ArtPix Mobile when you get there! 



Saturday 18 August 2018

RETRO FOOTBALL

Work on my brand new website is still on-going, but one section is now finished ...



The 'FOOTIE' page is now all done, and with the new football season well underway, I thought it would be a good time to show you!

It features all my popular retro designs of famous teams and iconic players from the past.

All you have to do is take a peep HERE

I'll carry on working on my new site very soon, which already has some of my artworks up there and will have a host of other pages including my own photos and vintage items for sale.

Stay tuned!!! 

Tuesday 14 August 2018

MAL-KAH VIRGINIA CIGARETTES

Got a random item here to show you!
A slightly mysterious cigarette tin ...



It was produced by the Mal-Kah Cigarette Co. Ltd, who were based in New Bond Street, London. It held 50 of their own brand of cigarettes, in what was probably a promotional tin or even to be given as a gift.

It looks and feels like it dates to before the First World War, possibly early 1900s.
But that is about all I can tell you, as there doesn't seem to be much information about this company.






I even looked in my old copy of Murray's Guide to Cigarette & Other Trade Cards, to see if they ever made any cigarette cards. But no luck, as they aren't listed anywhere. 
Which is strange as they were always used as a handy way of boosting sales, making people desperately buying more packs to complete a set of cards!

So we have possibly have a rare tin on our hands?!

And lucky you, because if you pop down to Wimborne Market in Dorset this Saturday, you will find it on my stall!!!
Please form an orderly queue!

Sunday 12 August 2018

HEAVY METAL!

There are websites with whole galleries of amazing pictures of textures with metals and grains of wood that you can download and use. But sometimes you can create your own.

While walking at the mysterious Moonfleet in Dorset this week, I saw a lonely, battered old shed right on the water's edge of the Fleet. Housing boats and boating paraphernalia, it had stood up to many a harsh winter.

Taking a closer look at it, the rusty and worn metal panelling were perfect for a series of photos with these kinds of textures.

Having downloaded these types of pictures before to use on my digital collages, I now have my own mini-library of heavy metal to use!!








Wednesday 8 August 2018

ALL'S WELL IN WELLS!

Some great news to announce ...

I'll be at the next VINTAGE SOMERSET FAIR in Wells on Saturday 22nd September!!!



The fantastic fair is held in the Town Hall, right in the heart of the beautiful medieval city of Wells. 
This history-packed city is famous for its 12th Century Cathedral and surrounding architecture.
So come along and soak up the atmosphere of the place, AND visit the exciting vintage fair!!

Can't wait to get down there, as this is new fair for me to trade at, plus I've never been to Wells before!




I've got more exciting fair news to announce, so watch this space ...!!


Thursday 2 August 2018

WIMBORNE MARKET

Just letting you know that I'll be at the wonderful Wimborne Market this Saturday!



I was there a couple of weeks ago, and had a great day, so after the wash-out of last weekend I've decided to have another go.

On the site there is the antiques market, food stalls, general market, AND a big antique centre!! What more could you want?!

Not sure why, but the official name for Wimborne is actually Wimborne Minster, but the Minster bit never seems to get a mention!!
So if you find yourself in Dorset this Saturday looking for Wimborne, look for the signposts to WIMBORNE MINSTER!!!

And when you get there, you'll see these goodies below on my stall, and MUCH more ...


Fantastic retro-style desk lamp in a gorgeous orange colour. 




Stylish and practical all in one box! This "Victa Series" black metal box, was probably used to store documents in something like a solicitor's office. It dates to the 1930s and looks great!



Red kitchen scales, would look fantastic in a retro-themed kitchen. 



Unusual and potentially quite rare German or Swiss desk calendar. Has a typically 30s illustration and typeface, meaning it could have come from pre-War Germany.



A great collection of tins! All but the classic Oxo one are cigarette tins, from famous brands like Senior Service and Wills's Gold Flake. 
But the mysterious one here is the blue Mal-Kah Virginia Cigarettes tin. There are hardly any examples around, and I think it dates to the 1900s. Again, another rare item!


So if you fancy any of these, come on down to Wimborne Market this Saturday!!