A snippet....

A snippet of what was on offer at the Newcastle Vintage Fashion & Textiles Fair on Sunday gone, organised by myself & Mandy Pattullo...If you missed this one, we will be bring our dealers to Hexham on Saturday 28th September. However this fair will have a different flavour, encouraging dealers to bring along more homeware and kitchenalia stock.

Beamish Archive

Over the last two weeks I've been a very LUCKY GIRL, and been given the opportunity to explore the  archives at Beamish Museum,  which I'm utilising to draw inspiration from.  The photos I've taken aren't great, mainly due to the fact the stores are quite dark, but I'm also very small, so don't have the advantage of height and obviously you can't touch the objects to organise them in a more preferred fashion...but for any vintage lover, Beamish stores are a MUST visit, and open to the public by private appointment.

Some items really stand out, and others you may have seen before in some shape or form, but what I found most interesting was the history and story behind each item. The folk art collection and craftsmanship is fascinating, I seriously believe I could spend the rest of my days lost in the Beamish Archives. I hope you enjoy this post, as much as I've enjoyed my experience, looking at all the curiosities and lost objects from the past.

Family Tree Samples produced on the day.

Back in April, I delivered a 'Family Tree Cloth Book Workshop' from my studio, based in Consett, County Durham. The four creative ladies who attended, produced a personal response, with a quirky yet sentimental twist, using OLD & NEW family photos & a stash of my vintage fabrics & broken costume jewellery.

Workshops are on hold at the moment, due to other commitments and the summer (if it ever arrives) but watch this space for future workshops, or join my mailing list HERE to be kept informed.

This is a sample of what one lady produced on the day, which she framed with love and pride almost immediately!

Another Newcastle Vintage Fashion & Textiles Fair

Another Newcastle Fair is coming up on Sunday May 12th, this time linked to Newcastle Fashion Week as aN OFFICAL fringe event.  Mandy Pattullo and I  are also planning another Vintage Event in Hexham on Saturday 28th September.  The Hexham event will mix vintage homeware, kitchenalia and retro finds, along with a vintage pop up cafe.  If you are a dealer and interested in having a stall, please contact me HERE.

The Borders Texile Group

On Saturday I spent the afternoon giving a talk to the Border Textile Group, based in the scenic village of Foulden, Berwick Upon Tweed.  I talked about my education in fashion design & textiles, my work experience with Jessica Ogden & M&S Home Design and how I find inspiration from everything VINTAGE....if you would like to read more, click this link to view their website. Border Textile Group

Handmade Vintage Scrap Cards

Today I have not only been productive in the kitchen, but also made a collection of handmade cards, to sell at a talk I will be doing in Berwick, this weekend.  I will be talking about how vintage fashion & textiles inspires my work as a freelance fashion/textile designer.  I have made the cards below using old scraps of lace & left over samples of my own work.

My spoils....

They always look even more beautiful the morning after, I think due to the fact, a good vintage fair has too much to take in, and your spoilt for choice, surrounded by beautiful things.  I'm happy with my purchases and looking forward to doing something creative with them in my own practice.