Sydney Vintage Clothing Jewellery and Textiles Show

I was so busy at the fair last weekend that I did not have time to take decent photos and when I did it was more to grab some food and drink and check out the other stalls. I have included one photo of one corner of my stall below. I managed to get a dressing area in which was a godsend. The floral fabric you can see is a 50s bedspread, and is divine. The material has flecks of shine in the weave and there are little tight frills at the joins. A friend wanted to buy it to make dresses out of and I told her she couldn't. Some things are just out of bounds for destruction IMHO.


The best dressed in vintage competition was held on the Friday night. As always it was a great fun event although not as many entrants as in the past. Not sure why, as there were so many walking around in vintage that would have done themselves proud had they entered. I have some photos of the men's division winner. I have also added a photo of the last fair and some of its contestants--namely my sister and her friend. My sister is wearing our mums 50s day dress and her accessories. Have you noticed the famous Dame Edna Everidge there?

To look at these photos you would think...hmmm, not many of the young crowd there, however I can assure you there was--more and more are coming to this sort of event as they become free and confident to create their own style, and know they can buy good quality items at very reasonable prices.


The next Show will be held April 2011. As always it will be the 3rd weekend, the 15th, 16th and 17th April. Make the date in your diary--it will be massive as always!

TRAVEL BAG STILL LIFE.....

....AND PREPARING FOR SYDNEY'S FAMOUS VINTAGE FAIR...(this Friday, Sat and Sun--see below post for details)

I think I have a bag fetish....I am drawn to vintage bags that have good wholesome design and use good leather--which I think happens to be the vast majority of them.

But I'm also drawn to old vinyl bags.

However....I lament that.....
the vinyl of a few decades ago is not the same as today's. What I have found the last 10 years or so is that the non leather bags are either too stiff, too smooth and plastic feeling, and have been poorly cast. They are awful in cold weather, becoming even stiffer. The vinyl of the 50s, 60s and 70s, and even into the 80s, have a superior firmer yet pliable quality that makes them sit well, have even pattern and can be easily manipulated.

The worst and almost depressing aspect though, is that even many of the leather bags of the last decade have decreased in quality. The leather doesn't smell like the leather of the past, doesn't feel like it and often doesn't even look like it. ... One of the most hedonistic things about leather is the smell--it is rich and unique and somehow matches the look. Warm, comforting and giving. It tells us we are all connected to the natural world in some way, that things discarded can be used, that we are tribal. And so this feeling and connection is gone for me.

I have checked the new bags out many times--what I can deduce is a number of things. The leather now mostly comes from China where cost efficiency is demanded by designers and is very well executed by the experienced makers, so....
....the leather used is of poor quality, is thin, is not treated with the same chemicals.
This reason may be twofold--dearer cost of traditional chemical, and dangerous effects of some of the older treatments.

So...because the leather is thin and poor quality (meaning it will wear and tear easily) it must need to be coated with a plastic like material which gives it strength. When the leather is extra thin, it is glued onto a plastic type material. Both of these aspects give the leather an unnatural look and feel. Add to that the uneven surface commonly found in the leather used, where one side can be soft even grain and another side creased and hard, and you have a poor handbag experience.

Also what I see, is that the outside of the bag can be leather, but on the inside plastic additions are used. Cheap, thin synthetic lining is also used and is another grievance of mine--it simply feels awful.

I have seen this issue in mainstream shops and I have seen it in designer areas--sometimes you can be lucky and somehow they get it right. And I can see also many get it sort of close--but put an older vintage bag next to them and you can immediately see the difference. Vintage bags have often stood the test of time--they last longer, wear better and mostly look better with age. The patina on an older bag can be enticing in itself--it shows warmth, and steadfastness-- it says it is your rock solid companion for ever...even if it may not be.

Here are some great bags I have been cleaning and polishing up today to take to the Show. I took them onto the front verandah--their great earthy colours seemed to say "take us to that climber and sit us on the weathered timber for our photo shoot". My favourite is the little red carry case. It has so much character and feels great in your hand. It has a cute tartan lining as was common in the 50s/60s.




The weather was overcast yet a pleasant temperature today. We have had a lot of rain over a long period of time through winter and early spring and so this is shaping up to be the best spring for our plants here for at least 20 years. Everything is a vivid green, rich lighter colour new leaves are sprouting and plants have, have had or will have wonderful flowering. The purple splash of colour to the back is a batch of Australian native Mintbushes or Prostanthera species. They are delightful in colour, flower shape and I adore the minty with a hint of lavender smell they have. Sometimes you can smell it quite a distance. They are a very under-utilised group of plants in my opinion. So many Australians have never even heard of them.

Sydney Collectibles and Antique Fair Sunday 3rd October

Here are some photos what I had for sale yesterday. I sell a diverse variety of things:-

1. Because there isn't much I don't have an interest in in some form or other. One thing leads to another to another. The more I learn, the more I want to learn. Easy to do with the internet at hand! (Ohhh, but very time wasting--oops I meant time consuming).

2. Because the ancient saying "don't put all your eggs in one basket" still applies. I have always managed to make stall fees and some sort of profit even on very quiet days.
3. There are so many different people out there with the most amazing variety of interests and I love meeting them and catering to their taste.

60's small aluminium stovetop coffee maker on the top. Never used still with original sticker. Could probably be used for warming milk too.--or most anything.
These are the coffee cookers whereby you grind the beans, boil water in this cooker--enough for how many cups of coffee you want, then add the coffee grinds--bring to the boil again--this will happen quickly-- then promptly take it off the stove and pour into your cup. Add some pure cream and you have the most delicious cup of coffee ever! My mother used to make these coffees often, esp as a treat on weekends with a home made torte.


Green tin Australian Kande brand spring loaded one handed sifter. Have a look at the trouble they went to with the fancy writing. This is my favourite colour green and is the basis of most of my collections, homewares and decorating.

Here is some mostly 60s wares apart from the aluminium 3 tiered canister. This one is 1930s/40s and has a green bakelite handle and green painted metal labels which say scones, biscuits, cakes. These canisters are a really clever and practical idea I think--just as much at home in today's kitchen. They keep things together, look good and are airtight. Perfect for the popular industrial/rustic country look.

More great old kitchen wares. As you can see I love kitchen wares and kitchenalia. But I especially love the way they are all just as useful and interesting to look at today as decades ago. Most of those are 1930s-50s apart from the Arnott's commemorative mug. It's probably from the last 10 years or so. Hmmm but it's reminded me of how Arnott's biscuits don't taste as good as they used to. So many of them I don't buy anymore.

Owl collecting is very popular and I know this would please someone immensely. It's a 60s/70s era canister--mostly these were used for storing biscuits or sweets in an attractive way--great for enticing kids--but so very much fun just to sit there. This will go into my stall at Mitchell Road Gallery this week.

Some 50s/60s Australian pottery pieces on the top shelf and pretty floral dishes on the bottom.

Ahhh, delightful in their prettiness are these plates, especially together like that. These have decreased in popularity the last 2 or so years. They used to fly out the door--now hardly anyone even looks at them. The shabby chic look only hangs in there with the true lovers of this style.
I find people can take time to work out what their real heartfelt decor loves are, and until they do they will drift in and out of what is seen to be in vogue, what their friends have or what's in the latest magazines. But that's a good thing to go through these phases. And well really, we can all get sick of seeing the same thing all the time.

Some 60s/70's modernist pieces. They would enhance and sit well in any new interior with their streamlined looks and neutral colouring.

MY TRAVELS FOR THE NEXT 3 WEEKS.

Hi fellow vintage lovers,

I know some of you have been asking for a schedule of where and when I will be and what great vintage and retro events will be on in the near future.

Here is a bit of a calendar about the next few weeks: I will try and update this regularly as I know more about what I’m doing.

Come and say hi, and if you want to tell me where you saw this info I just might be able to give you a good discount if you find something of mine you would like to buy!

This Sunday October 3^rd,.

Wentworth Park Greyhound Track Function Centre, Wentworth Park Road, Glebe, for the
Sydney Collectables and Antique Fair.
9am-4pm.
Entry cost about $5. Early birds 8am. Entry cost $10.
Over 140 stallholders selling almost anything!

http://wentworthparkfair.com.au/

Saturday October 9^th:

Paddington RSL Club. 220-232 Oxford Street, Paddington, for the
Vanity Fair Vintage Fashion Market.
10am – 3pm.
There is an entry cost but unfortunately I am not sure how much it is and it’s not on their website. Maybe about $6.
Always great to shop indoors for clothes, hats, bags and shoes.

http://www.vanityfairmarkets.com/vanityfairmarkets/THE_VENUE.html

Friday, Saturday, Sunday October 15^th, 16^th & 17^th:

Canterbury Racecourse Function Centre, King Street Canterbury, Sydney, for the
Sydney Vintage Clothing Jewellery and Textiles Show.

Fri—5.30pm -9.30pm
Sat—9.30am-4.30pm
Sun—9.30am-4.30pm. Entry $12 for one day, $20 for a 2 day ticket.

THIS IS A BIG TIME FAIR—THE BIGGEST IN THE SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE--SO IF YOU LOVE THIS SORT OF STUFF I CANNOT STRESS ENOUGH THAT YOU SHOULD NOT MISS IT---AND COME EARLY!

There are free shuttle buses going every half hour from Canterbury and Strathfield Railway Stations—so really, they try and make it easy for everyone!

Also—there is all day entertainment simply worth coming for.

Please check out the website—it is REALLY informative.
http://www.lovevintage.com.au/

So come and enjoy some great shopping that you know will be unique and keep its value!

Amazing Mt Wellington, Tasmania September 16th 2010

Enchantment on Mt Wellington, Tasmania.

This was last week when my husband and I spent 3 days "getting away from it all" in Hobart, Tasmania. We love Tasmania and have visited regularly over the past 16 years. It's wilderness is like no other--you step back in time in so many places--and by that I don't mean hundreds of years or even thousands--I'm talking millions...before man. This is physical and natural history that thousands of years of human habitation has not changed into a different place. Aboriginals inhabited this land for thousands of years but did not adulterate the land the way European man has in the blink of an eyelid. I digress...

Mt Wellington stands like a sentinel to the city of Hobart. It is both welcoming and powerful. It is majestic, sensual, everchanging, calming and embracing. This mountain makes Hobart and is like a magnet to me, and I know to many others. Once mesmerised by its beauty you cannot ever remove it from your psyche. It is inspirational, rejuvinating and enriching. The minute I saw it I was smitten.

Below are some of many beautiful photos I took that Wednesday in Hobart and on Mt Wellington when a cold(er) snap came up from the Antarctic bringing a gale force wind to the summit area and transformative snow.

Sometimes I wish I was a designer so I could use natures colours, patterns and textures for inspiration. Come to think of it I do use it to select out items for sale---both fashion items and decor.

The Derwent River from the Botanical Gardens entry--looking south. Hobart is situated on the Derwent. I like the skeletal pattern of the still leafless exotic trees against the blue sky.

Mt Wellington from Queen Street Sandy Bay. Turn the other way and you face the Derwent. Hobart is a very historical place and I love the way so many old houses have not yet been either demolished or changed. There is a respect and acceptance of how this is by the people there.

The drive up takes about half and hour--this is about half way up when the first dustings of snow were happening. It's a fairyland really. We are lucky here in Australia-- most of our high altitude plants keep their leaves on for winter. This allows for amazing and artsy patterns when the snow falls on them and gives an almost cosy feeling to the place.
On the summit. Brrrr.... and lots of black ice to slip on. We jumped out of the car for about a minute to take a photo of each other then back inside for some home made slice and to just look out.
Lichen covered granite boulders at the top and ground cover plants allow for wonderful colour, pattern and texture. The telephone tower allows a touch of reality.

I was loving the tricky vanishing patterns the strong winds were making with the snow on the road. If only I could've taken a video.

This is like a river of boulders just down from the top in a very exposed area. I wonder what incredible forces were at work here over time.
The above two are in the same area as the boulders. I think this plant is a Richea. The olive green with the white is a gorgeous contrasting combination. The Eucalypts don't grow tall on the exposed parts of the mountain due to extreme cold and forceful winds. Many of them lean in one direction because of this. These plants can be hundreds of years old even though small.

A few hundred metres down and it's quieter, gentler and possibly one could say prettier. The trees are taller and the forest is totally enchanting. I love the colour patterns of the bark.
Blechnum fern--so pretty with the snow.
Tasmanian Pink Mountain Berry plant.
Not sure what this plant is but I loved the star shaped leaves which then made this enchanting picture with the snow on top.
Hope this wasn't overkill for you to look at.

Hello, at long last I am back with photos of the previous weekend's Vanity Fair Fashion Market at Paddington RSL Sydney. The next market at Paddington is on Saturday the 10th October 2010, so put it in your diary or memory bank--it's the 2nd Saturday of the month.

Now I would like to tell you a bit about Lisa. She is warm and friendly and always has the cutest and interesting things. All sorts of beautiful, quirky or lovingly kitsch bits n pieces can be picked up at her stall. From pretty cut glass 50s brooches to wonderful handmade true vintage quilts, from funny old shower hats to retro patterned peg bags, from funky on trend 70s denim shorts to 80s sloppy joes. Below are the shorts I have mentioned. We teemed them up with those killer red lace up ankle boots and hoped someone would buy the both or at least get inspired!

Certainly a character of the markets and fairs is Weeba. She is Indonesian and with this comes a vibrancy and get up and go many wish for. She also has a great understanding of how clothes work having being brought up with sewing and handcrafts as part of everyday living. So she can repair and rework pieces as well as sew new in the old style. She always has sought after vintage and retro dresses as well as a great selection of ankle boots and unusual leather bags. Below is a bold cherry red with black buttons 80s dress and Scandinavian pattern cardigan.

Ok, here is Gabriella again. You may remember her from the last post about this market. As always she has used great genuine vintage pieces to dress up in. Going the nautical navy, white and red theme for Spring she wore a 60s shirt dress with classic stripes to the bodice and a great large cut collar. Of course what else would you teem with it but navy, red and white accessories, but I especially loved the scarf in her hair.


Below are some pieces I had for sale. The funky 60's pottery lamp has come out of my green collection. I am slowly parting with a few pieces that don't fit in entirely with my more vintage rustic/industrial look I have going.

Also out of my collection on the half mannequin was a jade green leather high sitting cap made in Japan from the 60s. And those shell and plastic bead necklaces--wow! is all I can say.

Another piece there is the 60s/70s long sleeve slim fit limey green cotton knit tee shirt--sounds basic, but these are among the most difficult pieces to find as they were worn daily and usually became too roughed up to pass on anywhere.
To me it signifies the start of a more casual, practical feel to everyday dressing for women that was influenced by man style clothing. This style was also naturally accelerated by the advent of womens' liberation. With this t-shirt, jeans would have been typically worn. At first, all girls had available to buy were mens' jeans, but slowly some makers designed especially for women. This was a revelation to me, as my mother didn't have to sew the waist in every time! Mens' jeans are noticeably wider in the waist. And I didn't have to shop each time for jeans at the army disposal store--much as I loved the atmosphere in there. I revelled in this look when I was growing up. It was my staple and still is today as it is for most girls and women around the world.
T- shirt and jeans--that's it for a good easy going life I say!

Last of all I have to show you this photo of a new sellers clothing rack. She sold wonderful new old stock and vintage designer pieces. This rack was particularly eye catching with a focus on white and off white crocheted, lace and beaded pieces.

My next post I will share with you some photos I'm very happy with from the snow on top of Mt Wellington in Hobart, Tasmania. My hubby and I had a short getaway there earlier this week. Even if you don't like the cold there can be no argument it does not create some of the most beautiful mesmerising landscapes.

A quick update.

Well, I must apologise for not updating this blog for a long time now. My computer gave up the ghost and so working on an old slow laptop was not easy and I tended to just do the basics.

Have bought another Mac just recently so will be ready to go again shortly as soon as I load some of my latest photos from last Saturday's Vanity Fair Vintage Fashion Market at the new venue of Paddington RSL Club.

For the first time in a new venue, it was a good turnup. We have some new dealers as well as most of the regulars. The venue whilst more difficult to load stock to, will be warmer in winter and cooler in summer and obviously in a hub of activity in Paddo's main street, Oxford Street.

What also has passed was the 2nd Fash n Treasure market in Canberra. It poured nonstop from buckets that day and the wind blew fiercely.... from the antarctic I think!.... no...I know.....so not really a great market day but amazingly Canberra's fashion enthused crowd came along. Packed full with sellers of all sorts, more food variety and a rugged up crowd it was still fun and great for buying and selling.
One great thing about the colder weather is you can make good use of those fantastic winter jumpers and coats and use layering to it's best effect--often more fashion fun that a too hot summer's day.

I will be spending the next month reorganising a lot of my working stock and getting new stock ready for my stalls at Mitchell Road Antiques and Design Gallery, the next Paddington Vanity Fair and the famous and huge Canterbury Vintage Clothing Jewellery and Textiles Show. This last one is on at Canterbury Racecourse in Sydney in mid October, and is probably the largest vintage fashion fair in the southern hemisphere. I will be posting more about it in coming days.