Time is marching on...

This week we have been working on publicity & advertising for the fair.

We had a nice mention in the antiques section of the Western Daily Press on Saturday & we also have a spot in the online magazine "Family Soup".

Miss Cottage & friend have been out & about putting up posters everywhere from Stroud to Bristol, in shops, libraries & town halls, so hopefully they will bring in new visitors too.

We have also set up a Facebook page for the fair - you can join it here.

Tomorrow there should be an article in the local weekly paper too.

V&H Traffic Alert!

I just wanted to give you a bit of a warning about traffic on the 1st May - the V&H is coinciding with the Badminton Horse Trials which is just a few miles from Chipping Sodbury - this will probably mean an increase in traffic in the morning so you may want to try an alternative route. Instead of using Junction 18 on the M4 you can go off at Junction 14 (for Thornbury) of the M5 if you are coming from a northerly direction or Junction 16 (the Almondsbury interchange for Thornbury/Almondsbury) of the M5 if you are coming from the South or West. This will avoid Junction 18 (the Bath junction) where most of the Badminton traffic will be coming off of the motorway.
I'm sure if you use a sat-nav you can find the alternate route or you can use Google maps http://maps.google.co.uk - the postcode for the hall is BS37 6AD, but if you need any more directions please ask!

I feel just like a radio traffic announcer!

Postering

Is there such a word as "postering"? If not, I just made it up - this is what Michele & I have been doing recently - putting posters up all over to advertise the Vintage & Handmade Fair which is in only a few weeks time. It doesn't seem very long ago since we were preparing for the Christmas Fair & the Spring Fair has arrived already!

If anyone would like to print out a poster to put up please feel free to take the image to use - if you click on it, it should enlarge to full resolution (hopefully!)

We are working on other local publicity too & there should be an article in the Western Daily Press on Saturday 24th in their Antiques section, so those of you in the South-West do look out for it!

New Textile Fair!

Since we held the very first Vintage & Handmade Fair the concept has really taken off & become a great success with visitors really looking forward to each new fair.
As a result of this we have been inundated with requests from crafters, artists & vintage dealers for tables at the fair - we could have filled the town hall several times over! Quite a number of those asking have been textiles related & as we want to keep a balanced mix at the V&H we are unable to accommodate them.

This got us to thinking (we tend to do this quite often when sharing coffee & cake!) that a dedicated textiles fair could be a fun addition to the V&H stable - this would include all sorts, including vintage clothing, fabrics, haberdashery, textile art, knitting, crochet etc.....something for everyone.
As the town hall is quite large we looked for a smaller venue & were fortunate to find one just across the road in Chipping Sodbury High Street, right next to the library, which is the Old Grammar School
This venue will hold 16 tables in 2 rooms, plus there is a kitchen for serving our famous teas & cakes & a courtyard which will be nice as we intend holding the fair in the summer - Saturday 3rd July 2010.
Like the town hall, it is a light, bright & well kept venue which has just been completely redecorated & is a pleasure to be in.

Michele, the two Misters & I went for an inspection before we booked it & I have posted a few photos here to give you an idea - of course it will look much more lovely when decorated & filled with wonderful stalls.
I'm happy to say that all 16 stalls were snapped up straight away & we are pleased to announce that the premier textiles magazine, Selvedge will be there too!



This is the outdoor area which (weather permitting) will make a lovely area to enjoy refreshments, have a break between shopping & chat.


The entrance from the courtyard.



Mr Custard tickling the ivories....wonder if we can enlist him to entertain us on the day? ;-)


This is the larger of the two rooms which will hold about 10 stalls.


The smaller room will hold 6 stalls.



This is the entrance from the street.


The entrance is to the left of the clock tower, right on the high street.

So, what do you think? We'd love to hear your views!

May Exhibitors

I thought it would be handy to list all those who will be exhibiting at the May fair. As you can see we have some dearly loved regulars & some exciting newcomers - I have a feeling that this fair is going to be very popular once again!

1. Lucy - Lucy Bloom
2. Michele - Cowboys & Custard
3. Sue - Vintage To Victorian
4. Jayne - Country Cottage Chic
5. Lizzie - The Washerwoman
6. Sal - Sal's Snippets
7. Nicky - The Vintage Magpie
8. Niki - Nostalgia At The Stonehouse
9. Leonore -International Quality Kitsch
   
10. Kathy Jobson
11. Clare - Daisy Darling
12. Hen - Henhouse
13. Claire - Elfie & Me
14. Christine - Sea Garden
15. Elaine -Kitsch & Curious
16. Jane - Jane & The Happy Crow
17. Amanda - Shabby Chick
18. Daniella - Acorn & Will
19. Viv - Hen's Teeth
20. Donna - Donna Flower
21. Jayne - Slimbridge Soap
22. Louise, Amelia & Amanda - Vintage Inspiration
    
23. Emma - The Orchard Studio
24. Helen Roskell
    
25. Priscilla Jones
    
26. Louise Taylor-Bowen
    

New Postcard For Spring Fair

With all this snowy weather it's hard to imagine that spring isn't that far away!

With the spring comes our latest Vintage & Handmade Fair which will be held on the 1st May this year.

I have just ordered new postcards for advertising the fair & thought I'd share it with you here.
The fair is fully booked already with a few new sellers joining us & we are looking forward to it already!

Anyone who would like to promote the fair is most welcome to use this postcard image on their blogs or websites.

V&H Fair in the Gazette

Lovely Annie & her creations were one of the stars of the show at the Christmas V&H Fair & here she is appearing in our local newspaper!
Click on image to enlarge & read the article.