Meet the stallholders…coffee break with Amy Evans from Blanche and Lola

It’s so flattering when traders travel to sell with us which is why we are very happy Amy Evans from Winchester in Hampshire is back again after her great success at the Christmas and Spring fairs.

Amy Evans on her stall

Hi Amy, tell us what do you make and what is your inspiration?

I handmake one-of-a-kind or limited edition pieces of vintage jewellery and hair accessories created from original vintage treasures.

I love hunting for unloved vintage brooches and forgotten gemstones and being able to turn them into an entirely new creation.  There is so much mass-produced costume jewellery on the high-street; I think it’s so much nicer to invest in a piece which you know has been handmade in the UK, with love, just for you.

My creations are inspired by the vintage pieces I find – I’m always drawn to the cute and the whimsical – particularly animal and pieces inspired by nature – there are a lot of birds, foxes, deers and rabbits in my collections!

Amy loves to include a lot of nature imagery in her work

   

What is your favourite item that you sell and why?

I do a lot of commission pieces and these are probably my favourite thing to make and sell.  It’s so lovely being able to bring someone’s idea to life.

Amy loves making pieces for other people

What would you say your most value-for-money item is and how much is it?

Definitely my handmade button rings which I create using vintage buttons reworked onto adjustable silver or gold plated ring bands.  There is also my collection of wonderland-inspired rings created using handmade miniature teacups, teapots and plates of miniature cakes and biscuits. Both ranges start at just £5!

Blanche and Lola rings start at £5

Have you traded at “It’s darling!” before and if so when?

This will be my third time trading at “It’s Darling” and I’m still as excited as I was the first time! 

Something special for your hair

What do you like best about Bath?

Relaxing in the open-air rooftop pool at the Thermae Spa with its spectacular views over the beautiful city of Bath is one of the loveliest ways to spend an afternoon. 

Get yourself some gorgeous neck candy at It's darling!

Why do you think customers should make “It’s darling!”  their must-visit vintage & handmade fair this Summer?

The “It’s Darling!” fair isn’t your average craft fair; it’s more like a wonderland boutique of all of your favourite handmade and vintage shops all in the same place!  The fairs are really well organised and the stallholders are carefully hand-selected meaning that the fairs showcase only the best in handmade and vintage loveliness and there is always a lovely eclectic mix of beautiful goods to browse and buy.

What would you say is “darling” in your life.

My other half Jamie and our darling cats, Lily and Lola.

Amy's darlings

For more info about the wonderful Blanche and Lola please visit www.blancheandlola.com and www.facebook.com/blancheandlola

Meet the stallholders....a quick cuppa with Rebecca Collett from Rose Cottage Boxes

Becky from Bath runs Rose Cottage Boxes and has been trading with us since the first fair.

Rose Cottage Boxes

 Hi Becky, tell everyone about what you do

I make sustainable wooden 'useful' boxes covered in stunningly beautiful patterned tissue papers, skillfully applied by hand using a 17^th century french decoupage tecnique. Each box is painted with complimentary colours inside and covered in a deep, glossy varnish.  There are 6 different sizes to house things such as sewing kits, crafts, jewellery, make up, stationary, medical kits etc. They are also wonderful for keepsakes, memories, letters and photos for weddings, births and birthdays!

Useful as a sewing box

When and why did you start doing this?

I am a mother of two young boys. They inspired me in so many ways. Teaching them creativity spurred me to keep following my own dreams.

Rose Cottage Chair

Where do you get your ideas/inspiration from?

My ideas and inspiration are quite intuitive, following a gut feeling as well as being realistic and practical with what I sell. I enjoy mixing it up and taking parts from all our past eras. I love anything unique and different.

Take your pick

 Are you doing anything special with your stall?

I will have some lovely new spring/summer designs and some older stock will be in a worthwhile sale.

Covered drawers

 Please finish this sentence: What I love most about Spring is…the sunshine of course because it makes everyone happier!!

What I need to buy most in Spring is...some Pledge and a duster to start the cleaning...

What’s darling! in your life?

My wonderful sons, Solomon and Atticus and my house rabbits, Luigi and Loopy Lou

Butterflies make anyone happy

For more info go to www.rosecottageboxes.com, email welcome@rosecottageboxes.com

Or call  07885564969

Meet the stallholders...a quick cuppa with Amy Evans from Blanche and Lola

Amy first exhibited with us at our Christmas 2010 fair, bringing her lovely handmade jewellery with a vintage twist all the way from Winchester in Hampshire.

Gorgeous Amy from Blanche and Lola

Hi Amy, tell us about your business.


It's called Blanche & Lola. I hand-make one-of-a-kind or limited edition pieces of vintage jewellery and hair accessories, created from genuine original vintage treasures. I have been making jewellery as a hobby for about 10 years now, but the idea for Blanche & Lola came about two years ago when I rediscovered a box of my grandma’s old jewellery and realised how beautiful and wearable it would look if it was restored and given a modern twist. I still work full-time for the civil service at the moment but I hope that one day soon Blanche & Lola can be my full-time job - I absolutely love what I do and it makes me so happy to see people wearing something that I created.


Vintage key necklace

We hope your dream comes true.  What inspires you?

I am mainly inspired by all the gorgeous vintage treasures I find, such as decadent vintage brooches, gorgeous charms, pretty old keys and sparkling pre-loved beads and gemstones. I love seeing my finds given a new lease of life in a completely new and beautiful creation. I am also really inspired by nature and anything cute, whimsical and wonderful….there are a lot of birds and bambis in my collections!

A bambi necklace

Describe your last "It's darling!" fair.

I exhibited at the Christmas “It’s Darling” fair and was absolutely delighted when Becky & Cath announced their dates for 2011. It is a truly fabulous event, featuring some super-talented artisans and fabulous vintage sellers, all with a great ethos of originality and individuality. The event is really well organised and is guaranteed to be a great experience for shoppers and stallholders alike.

Look for the Blanche and Lola stall

Thank you Amy! What do you like most about the fair?

Probably being able to meet so many lovely other stallholders, many of whom I have kept in touch with since and I am looking forward to seeing again at the 2011 events. The atmosphere isn’t competitive, just really supportive and inspiring.

Birdcage necklace

Are you doing anything special with your stall?

I am going to be making lots of my limited edition miniature teacup rings. I only ever make 6 of each design and they’ve been my biggest seller so far! Priced at just £5 each they are a steal too! I’ve also been working on a new range of vintage pocket watch necklaces; they are one-of-a-kind and aren’t on my website yet so will be an exclusive!

Limited edition teacup rings only £5 each

Please finish this sentence: What I love most about Spring is...


The longer days and lighter evenings, sunshine, alfresco lunches, rose wine, daffodils and bluebells and of course, that lovely feeling that summer is just around the corner….

Pocket Watch necklace

And what I need to buy most in Spring is...pretty floral dresses and some fabulous vintage sunglasses.


Finally, what's darling in your life?
My other half Jamie and our darling cats, Lily and Lola!

Lily and Lola - too cute!

For more information about Amy and Blanche and Lola, please go to www.blancheandlola.com, email hello@blancheandlola.com and/or join her Facebook page.

Meet the stallholders....a quick cuppa with Faith Barber from Something Fabulous by Faith

Faith Barber has traded with us since the very first fair last July so we are very fond of her, especially as she lives and works in North London so has to travel a fair distance to us. Her company is called Something Fabulous by Faith.

Faith and her darling husband

 Hi Faith, please let everyone know what you do and what you've been up to

I design and make unique & limited edition luxury clothes and accessories made from gorgeous fabrics and in a rainbow of beautiful colours. Everything from simple zip purses and elegant handbags to elaborate corsages and gorgeous cover-ups. I am a freelance designer creating bespoke bridal & eveningwear and I found that lots of people liked my accessories but didn’t necessarily want to commission them, hence ‘Something Fabulous by Faith’, what you might call the ready-to-wear and made-to-order side of my business. I also design and make theatre costumes and I am the wardrobe mistress for Ballet Black (www.balletblack.co.uk). Dressing in a way that looks and feels right and enables the wearer to feel confident whatever the context works both on and off the stage, so I find everything that I do fits together perfectly.

Faith's beautiful purses

 Where do you get your ideas/inspiration from?

My inspiration varies although I am always drawn to beautiful things from any era. I am often drawn to the beauty of nature as well of design so in my creations you may notice elements from the pleating & draping on C18th gowns or maybe the suggestion of the petals of a flower.

Corsage

 What's been your experience of "It's Darling!"?

I have been at both of the previous fairs and I enjoyed them so much, received lots of good feedback and met so many great people, that I can’t wait to be there again. I also love Bath so any excuse to visit is fine by me!

Are you doing anything special with your stall?

I have some new bits and pieces for the Spring including some sculptural silk hairclips in variety of colours as well as some soft poppy inspired corsages which can also be worn in the hair; and, as always, plenty of things to add a touch of colour to any outfit.

One of Faith's new sculptural hairclips

What I love most about Spring is...that feeling of resurgence, hope and vitality that comes with the lengthening days, buds pushing open and evidence of life where previously there seemed to be none. There’s nothing like a bit of spring sunshine and blossom to make me smile even on a hard day. It’s the magic of possibility.

What I need to buy most in Spring is....a length of light bright fabric to make a new cheerful dress.

For more about Faith go to www.faithbarber.com or follow her on Twitter: @faithbarber

Her online shop is coming very soon! somethingfabulousbyfaith.bigcartel.com

The "It's Darling!" Fair 2011

A very (belated) Happy New Year to you all from us at "It's Darling!".

We're excited to be able to announce the dates of our 2011 events.

Firstly we have our..

Spring Fair



Saturday 26th March 2011 at The Friends Meeting House, York Street, Bath

This is a new venue for us, and we're looking forward to a bigger fair, and welcoming The Secret Tea Party to the Fair, who will be running the downstairs tearoom, complete with its vintage china, stylish soundtrack and vintage stylists, The Pop Up Parlour, who can give you any hair and make-up makeover you desire, from the 1920s to cocktail party - perfect for partying on Saturday Night.

Summer Fair

Saturday 16th July 2011

Christmas Fair

Saturday 19th November 2011 and Sunday 20th November 2011

Would you like to join us as a trader? Click the 'New Trader' link at the top of the page and complete the form - or send us an email to itsdarlingfair@gmail.com

If you have traded with us before you should have received the new information pack automatically, but please let us know if you haven't and would like one!

We look forward to seeing you there!

Becky and Cath