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| Photo courtesy of Wolverhampton Vintage Fairs - thanks, Chicks! |
In the new and exciting world of vintage market trading Monday is the new Sunday.
The weekend went like this....
Friday - Work out, get dressed, have breakfast, walk down to the university campus to flier it again, walk back, sort stock checking the labels are intact, give it a quick once over and iron/repair anything that needs it.
Take some photos and put a sneak preview on Facebook and Twitter to tempt any potential punters.
Bag and box everything up (clothes, accessories, home-ware), collapse the rails, check for tables, shoe stays, hat stands, a tape measure, table cloths, mirrors, carrier bags, business cards, fliers for the next events and load the van - trying to avoid locking a marauding cat in with the stock.
Sneak in a quick visit to a jumble sale before settling down to a quiet night in (sharing a cheeky bottle of wine).
Saturday - Set the alarm for 6am, make sandwiches and a flask of coffee (keeping the day's spend to an absolute minimum), dress to the nines, drive to Wolverhampton, unload, set up and move the van to a nearby car park.
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| 1970s gingham maxi dress (£1, Cancer UK) worn with velvet dirndl top (Maisie's Closet Vintage) |
Smile, chat, pose for photos....and sell, sell, sell!
Pack up, collect and load the van, drive back. Count the takings, have a bath, order a takeaway, crack open the wine, replace the sold stock with more from the store room. Have an early night.
Sunday - Get up at 7am. Make sandwiches and coffee, dress up, drive to Burntwood, unload and move the van, Jon realises he's come without the sandwiches and float so has to go back home to fetch them whilst Vix sets up...
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| 1970s Bernshaw maxi (courtesy of gorgeous Curtise) |
Pose for photos, chat to the customers, hang out with our lovely vintage family...
Try on the other stall holders' merchandise.
Pose for some photographers - thanks, Eddie!
Pack up, collect and load the van, drive home via the off-license for cheap white rum. Count the takings, have a bath, reheat the other half of last night's takeaway, read the paper you were too busy to look at yesterday, have an early night.
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| California 1970s maxi (50p, car boot sale, 2010) worn with a crochet tank top (Maisie's Closet Vintage, yesterday) and wooden necklace (handmade by fabulous Tania) |
Get up at the crack of dawn 'cos your back's killing you, try on your spoils from yesterday, get dressed, unload and put the stock away (thanks, Liz). Catch up on all you've missed in Blogland and...relax! (Man, I look a total wreck today but I'm linking to Patti's Visible Monday anyway.) Another early night after I've caught up with Arne Dahl.
Hope you had a good 'un!
See you soon.
wow vix. i'm dizzy. you're one hell of a girl. what a weekend!!! have a relax.
ReplyDeleteyour stall looks great. i'd love to go through those rails.
i hope it all went well for you and the hard work was worth it.
you look great in all the dresses. the gingham is my favourite.
have a lovely week. love lucyx
Wow, you work hard for the money, darling!
ReplyDeleteI hope you are having a properly relaxing day and evening, with plenty of booze to make up for your busy weekend!
Your stall always looks amazing, as do you. You were wearing that gingham maxi the first time I came to Walsall - that makes me sound like a right bloody stalker! And I do love to see that Bernshaw beauty getting another whirl, you look stunning in it.
I hope you made a TON of cash, I bet you did cos you are brilliant!
Love ya! xxxxx
You are a busy lady! I must visit your stall one day! Love your neon green maxi with the cut out sections - very sexy! Love the orange leather jacket on Jon too.
ReplyDeleteBloody Nora, I'm worn out just reading about it. You looked amazing both days and so does your stall, I bet you took a bomb. I recognise that St. Peters bag, when I was a hostie back in the 80's we took plane loads of pilgrims on those tours to Lourdes. The priest down the back was always pissed and unfortunately I've since found out that was not his only weakness.
ReplyDeleteYour stall looks so Fantastic. MY GOSH I WOULD GO GIDDY CRAZY looking at your wares. I would also go broke. You look gorgeous and Jon looks so handsome. I'll bet your the funkiest couple wherever you too go.
ReplyDeleteLoving the gingham outfits. I'm feeling the need for a big gingham influx for the Summer. Maybe I can dust off the sewing machine and run up a little number?
ReplyDeleteZ xx
How much for the cat???
I am going to have to take a trip to one of your vintage fairs, your clothes selection looks fab! I particularly love that cream dress with the blue, red and yellow flowers, I will have to keep an eye out on the kinky melon website!
ReplyDeleteWow sounds like hard work, but very enjoyable. Hope you did really well, you both looked fabulous. And well deserved takeaways!
ReplyDeleteHow fabulous do you and John look!!! Such gorgeous maxi's-love them all!!
ReplyDeleteYour set-up is so interesting and inviting. I'm sure it draws people in to spend their cash on your goodies!!!
Which means more money for Goa, Festivals and other debauchery!!
And I'm sure there are people in Wolverhampton marveling that Cher was selling stuff at the vintage fair!!
My bottom you look like a wreck. Despite what ever you say you always look, glorious even if you're ill or tired I think it must be the effort y make and your attitude that would have everyone none the wiser. But yes you have most certainly worked hard and look glorious doing it. I am utterly smitten with the gingham maxi. Oh and the orange leather coat Jon tried on that made me gasp, I dream of women's cost that glorious and then a climate that would allow me to wear often enough in Australia.
ReplyDeleteI have a burning question though what were on your sandwiches? X
Wow you work hard! Busy busy ... Hope you have time to relax now , you look asolutley smashing in that maxi!
ReplyDeleteXxx
Wow sounds like hard work, but fun too! Your vintage stall and you both look great. Wishing I was near enough to stop buy and check out some of those amazing stalls.
ReplyDeleteLooks like fun and an amazing stall x
ReplyDeleteYou and Jon earn every cent and then some. Selling is an extraordinary amount of work, but the fun of hob-nobing with other sellers and interest buyers helps. Your stalls look so enticing, and with good signage and labels -- you go the whole nine yards!
ReplyDeleteYou rock slinky AND gingham.
Beautiful dress! And £1?! I wish Charity Shops were cheaper here too... I've spotted some lovely items from your stall too, hopefully I can use the excuse of travelling to visit you when you're doing some market! xxx
ReplyDeleteOh wow - I like how you're sharing Vintage Vix-style around!
ReplyDeleteYe gods, a lot of work goes into it, doesn't it? I've only done 2 fairs in my entire life and I have a lot of respect for those who make it their regular business. You do look great through it all :)
ReplyDeletethat's what i call busy and i tought i was busy! obviously not!
ReplyDeleteI'm happy for your that your business is going well!
Lovely pics, i wish i was buying or selling, you have such nice places in the UK for selling Vintage and so many opportunities!
I'm impress i tell you!
Have a rest super Vix!
Love and hugs
Waiting for your shop updates
Ariane xxxx
love the checkered dress!
ReplyDeleteWell, I'm tired just reading about it. You managed to look totally divine throughout though, which is obviously the most important thing. I love those gingham frocks. Xx
ReplyDeleteGod, you're a marvel! You fit so much into a day and then make it look easy and fun. What an inspiration.
ReplyDeleteI love you in all the outfits: the multi-coloured gingham dress is such a sunny happy outfit, the green cutaway dress is SEXY and the purple gingham gorgeous. I've had two purple gingham dresses in my life and I loved them both.
I also love to hear the ins and outs of what goes into doing what you do. I am perenially fascinated by creative businesses and the people that run them and how they fit them into their lifestyle.
Enjoy Arne Dahl, it was good this week, interesting if a bit gory!! Enjoy a few days of rest too, before you get started again. xxxxx
Blimey, I'm tired just reading about your weekend. Both your stalls look fantastic - hope you made some good sales.
ReplyDeleteI'm really enjoying Arne Dahl, you can't beat a good bit of Scandi Crime on BBC4.
Knackering but it's all good isn't it? Love your gingham dresses. Enjoy your early night. xx
ReplyDeleteThat's a helluva working weekend, but looks a lot of fun too! I am positively DROOLING over all those beautiful dresses, your own and those little lovelies on the racks. You look so stunning and so happy in your work my dear.
ReplyDeleteHello lovely! Wow, you WERE busy! Looking beuautiful as always! I LOVE that navy, white and orange skirt on the left in the sneak peaks shot! Wow, did you sell it?x
ReplyDeleteLooks like a lot of fun, your fella always looks dapper. I used to do something similar selling at shows, it's brilliant when you make some money, and enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it amazing how much energy you can get by doing something you love? Sure beats sitting in a cubicle. You and John look amazing and SOMEDAY I'm coming over there to go thrifting. Xxoo
ReplyDeleteMuy bonito el vestido verde!!
ReplyDeleteSaludos
http://judithbysucre.blogspot.com.es
you look gorgeous in gingham - you have the best looking rails too - i would love a rummage! x
ReplyDeleteI honestly don't know how you manage all that with your orthpedic/hip pain. For that alone (because I'll never truly be fashionable), you are a real role model!
ReplyDeleteVix, you and Jon are such an inspiration, well done to you both!
ReplyDeleteI feel I have done well when I list a couple of items on eBay, you are a machine. Keep on letting us look into your world, it is such fun and yes, what was on those sandwiches?
Pam in TX xxx
you know I love it
ReplyDeleteYou, Jon and your booths look fantastic, Vix!
ReplyDeleteWHEW! Been there, done that, babe! I LOVE the count your earnings, take a bath, order take out part and let's not forget... sit down. Gosh, don't the simplest things feel grand when you've had a long, busy day?
Got some shows coming up soon myself; one where I have to leave at 3 AM to line-up at 4 AM to sell at the Long Beach flea market. I'm really looking forward to it, though. Well, let's say I'm looking forward to having DONE it.
WELL DONE on that weekend, my dear, well done! You do NOT look worse from the wear and tear at all. Take care. :)
xxx
It seems like you worked really hard but it was a great time too! I'm dying to have a rummage at your stall, your clothes are the best in the world and you and Jon are the best looking sellers! You look fabulous in all your working girl outfits but I have a soft spot for both your gingham dresses, even if your green number is the sexiest! You are radiant and gorgeous in every photo!
ReplyDeleteI love you more than wine!! xxxxxx
Oh my, I have to go take a nap after reading all that. You are a work horse, but you can tell you love it too. Hope you made millions! You certainly looked liked a million.
ReplyDeleteWow, you are so busy. Hope you did really well with your stalls.
ReplyDeleteI love your gingham maxi dress - looks lovely on you.x
Oh wow, I have to take a rest now just having read about your weekend. Hope you sold a ton, and you and Jon both look fabulous! Thanks for linking up to Visible Monday xoxoxo
ReplyDeleteOMG you have managed to utterly exhaust me from reading your crazy ass schedule. That is wow a lot!!!! I love love love your loot, I would have been hanging out in your stall trying to absorb some of your awesomeness! I really adore both of the dresses you wore , summer is in the sir. Tania's necklace looks to bright and happy round your neck!
ReplyDeleteI hope you made a bundle! You and Jon sure look good doing what you do!
LoveyouXXOO
I love this blow-by-blow. So interesting to know the behind the scenes part. It sounds like a lot of work but also really fun. You looked quite terrific for both of the sales.
ReplyDeleteFecking HELL, but didn't you just look like the most DELICIOUS thing on two legs EVER whilst doing it all?!
ReplyDeleteWhich cat was doing the marauding?! Bloody buggers, they do love a bag, or a box!
Your stall looks so divoon, I can easy see a dozen things I would have snatched up, and I would have made myself at home on one of your chairs and annoyed the shit out of you all arvo!
I quite fancy that orange trench Jon tried on!
I can hardly believe you managed to fit in a jumble as well, but needs must! It IS a lot of work, far more than people realise, and I hope it paid off nicely!
Talk tonight!
Love Helga xxxXXXxxx
err, is this you looking bad? You mentalist! you look great! Love all your weekend's outfits, you must've attracted so much attention. I hope Jon bought that coat, it's amazing! Your stall looks really tempting, so much to rummage through. You must be knackered after a weekend like that. You looked stunning the whole time - that green dress is fantabulosa! xxxxx
ReplyDeleteWow! What an exciting and eventful weekend! I wish I could have came along and looked through all that vintage. You look incredible in that 1970's green Bernshaw maxi dress too! xx
ReplyDeleteOMG! That 70's green maxi dress is so fab on you! Sounds like a busy weekend! Hope you enjoyed it!
ReplyDeletexx
I'm extremely impressed with the efficient whirlwind mixture of vintage related endeavors you and Jon managed in addition to finding time to (hopefully) eat, breath and even catch up on blogland! You, your California 1970s maxi and crochet top look fabulous despite your feeling like a total wreck. I love those puffy sleeves, the drape and the flared hem. I hope you're having sweet dreams and getting a restful sleep.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.full-brief-panties.blogspot.com/
Here's hoping you made tons of $$$ so you didn't have to bring it all back home. Love that you have a rack of the men. Jon doesn't look dodgy at all in that coat.
ReplyDeleteHmmm, Vix, I get the feeling that you are the source of all amazing 70s maxi dresses :o
ReplyDeleteI really love the green one Curtise sent you. If I ever get reincarnated, I'd like to come back as your shop assistant :)
I'm tired just reading of all the packaging, unpacking, coffee and sandwich making, posing, selling, driving...you both have amazing stamina and your hard for your vintage!
ReplyDeletePeople don't realize all the work involved with selling at any event! Some think it's easy money...ha ha. However, all the clothing looks adorable. You and John look great even through all the hard work! XXX
ReplyDeleteWow Vix! What work, but I just know you make it fun! I would love to visit some of those jUmBlE sales!! I would especially love to stop by one of yours. I think you look fabulous! As always.
ReplyDeletexoxo
Lynn
I found work especially boring today, so yours doesn't sound half bad!
ReplyDeleteI see atleast a 100 things I like! Wow. You must invite me next time. :D
ReplyDeleteWhat a whirlwind of a weekend and still you and Jon look amazing.
ReplyDeleteSounds hectic but fun :)
ReplyDeleteLove the 70's gingham dress :)
I know how much work and preparation goes into doing these fairs so I can understand just how much you ache today and that knackered feeling. Sounds like it all was worth it though :-) Your stall looked amazing and so did both you and Jon, Try and have a well earned rest today. Hugs dee xxx
ReplyDeleteLove the gingham and the hot green number. I hope the two days were very profitable for you ... I know what hard work it is. Buyers arrive and see you standing around and think it's a cushy life but they forget about the early starts and all the lifting and carrying. A take-out and wine is always a well deserved teat at the end of the day. M x
ReplyDeleteSounds like its been busy busy busy! I hope you made lots.
ReplyDeleteX x
Well i think it sounds like a good few days, work is not a bad thing if you enjoy it, and I'm sure you wouldn't be doing what you do if you didn't enjoy it. And you always look great!
ReplyDeleteI really love your dress Vix, it reminds me of childhood dresses. Looks like you had a non stop weekend, I feel tired just reading about it!
ReplyDeletexxx
I think I'd like to try it - maybe once anyway. I hope all your efforts were met with success.
ReplyDeleteOh, and I wonder what it would cost to ship those folding chairs with the orange floral fabric across the ocean? They are VERY cool!
nice that you're so busy and enjoying so much activity!!, you're gorgeous indeed, wearing that maxi skirts and fabulous green dress!!, you're the best advertisement of your own merchandise!!!
ReplyDeletebesos & success
What fabulous fun that you have! Love that orange leather coat on Mr. and your comment about trying to ensure you have not packed any marauding cats .... how well I know that routine, ha ha! Minerva x
ReplyDeleteI envy your work, really :D
ReplyDeleteCertainly sounds busy, glad that Kinky Melon is going from strength to strength. Love the Bernshaw dress and Jon looks great in the leather coat (did he buy it?).
ReplyDeleteWell you pair certainly are working hard. It must be a major effort setting up & packing up, but being surrounded by such beautiful things must be inspiring. You are both such a wonderful examples of how amazing you can look in vintage. Xx
ReplyDeleteSounds like a busy but fun weekend for you!
ReplyDeleteLx
www.whatlisawrote.blogspot.co.uk
Your stall looks amazing but it sounds a bit knackering! Hope you can take it easy for a few days! xxx
ReplyDeleteI love the set-up, vintage down the lounge chairs. All the outfits are beautiful and I'm exhausted just reading about all the shenanigans :)
ReplyDeleteThat is some work!!! We stopped doing vendor booths because we had no luck with them, but I still love the idea. It is no joke to pack/set up/pack up again.
ReplyDeleteLove the green cut out maxi and that little crochet crop top!! You two make such a cute couple,
Becky :)
Wow my back is aching in sympathy now! lol.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds lots of hard work but I imagine fun. Hope you sold loads and had a great time whilst doing it.
Ooo love the crocheted top you are wearing!
P x
Oh wow, that made me tired just reading about it...you are a dedicated Vintage Vendor! If I saw you in that all that gingham and green goodness, I'd be over to your booth like a shot, expecting to score an awesome treasure. You notice that people work harder when they are working for themselves, but don't resent it as much as when you do it for someone else?
ReplyDeleteIve often thought how much fun it would be to have a stall, as i appear to be addicted to finding the bargains. But after reading that i think i'll stick to putting things on ebay - even that seems too much effort half the time! Where do you get your energy! It must be all that yummy food you make. Your stall looks really wonderful!
ReplyDeleteAlex x
So I just did that a few weeks ago for a one day show a hundred miles from home...so my alarm clock went off at 4:30! It was tons of work and a lot of fun, too. Your space looks really great and I love that you wear whatever you want without caring about others' approval! Loved the play by play!
ReplyDeleteWow Vix, you and Jon are vintage selling super heroes!!!! Thats one amazingly busy weekend.......I remember the days when we had the shops and did a market too!!!!! Bloody killer.....my mind would be just mush.
ReplyDeleteThe layer colour gingham is super cute and Jon looks very dapper in the orange jacket.
love V
you look so hot in that lime green Cher gown! YOWZERS!
ReplyDeleteWow you are a busy lady! Love seeing the inside of you wonderful vintage business. btw I received both parcels while I was away so it was fun to come home and open them! I can't wait to wear my pretty dresses.
ReplyDeleteThanks Vix!!
Vix, those treasures!!! Wish I could get my hands on them! My post today is about Vintage Shopping and I would be thrill if you could drop by and share your ideas and tips there with us.. I would like to hear your ideas and tip/tricks :)
ReplyDeletep.s. Do you have an online shop?
GREETINGS FROM DUBAI
MRS JACK OF ALL TRADES
http://mrsjackofalltradesdaily.blogspot.ae/
What a roaring success! I love how the fairs were both different – one outside and one inside. It looks like you had a fabulous time doing what you love most, your stall looks more and more enticing each time! The green maxi is totally stunning on you. Most certainly dressed to impress xxx
ReplyDeleteThanks for this reality check. You and Jon always look so fabulous that it would seem your racks and whatnot magically set up and sell themselves while crowds of fairies bring you food and drink all day long. Maybe I have it right and your post is a clever distraction from the truth... Clearly, work in, reward out.
ReplyDeleteyour stall always looks so great! you're selling the most beautiful and fun things!
ReplyDeleteHard work, that's what it is.
ReplyDeleteBut I'm sure that with your eye for amazing clothes, you make a lot of people happy!
I'm blown away by how much work you put into these sales, but it's clearly a labour of love, and one to be admired. That green dress is hot on you - you're definitely channeling Cher here! Xoxo
ReplyDelete