Saturday morning saw me heading off to work, as usual, but not to work as a Visitor Assistant - oh no! today I had a stand at Blakesley Hall's very first Vintage and Craft Fayre. It was an overcast morning, chilly but thankfully dry and as I approached the hall the sky opened up and for just a minute I saw that strange yellow light in the sky that I believe we call a sun?! sadly it vanished just as quickly as it appeared. Nevertheless, grey skies and cold winds couldn't dampen our spirits today.
The visitor centre and barns had been bedecked in bunting and paper chains; the cakes, decorated within an inch of their lives be me the day before and there was an air of quiet hopefulness in the air. Although it is never easy to judge how successful any event is likely to be at a museum, this was something that had never even been attempted before - the possibility of doing another rested on the success of just 4 short hours.
Once on site I began setting up promptly, for the first time I didn't have any help for the stall and as per usual, I arranged, rearranged and started over many times. You wouldn't think so little would take so long to put out! I had, what at first instance, appeared the prime spot. In the reception foyer, first person you see as you come through the doors - fabulous! in reality, whilst a great spot it had two down sides; first, it was freezing! secondly, everytime the door opened I ran the risk of chasing down flyaway cards if a strong wind had picked up outside! *Note to self: next time, find clip stands and blue tack to avoid this issue again*
Nevertheless, the stand was set up and a cup of tea was in hand by the time the doors opened at 12:00. There were a wide range of stands, across the spectrum of vintage and crafts; from vintage clothing to modern milinary, beautiful soft textile crafts to hand made soaps. We were also lucky enough to have the talented women of the Birmingham and District Guild of Weavers, Spinners and Dyers with us on site, demonstrating in the historic house. It all merged so well together and the hard work paid off.
With some jaunty 50's and 60's music playing away in the background and the sounds of the tearoom filling the visitor centre we awaited the first of the days visitors - and arrive they did! It was a wonderfully busy day and although the rain did visit briefly and the temperature never rose much above unbelievable cold (technical term, I know ;D) it all ran like clockwork with barely a hiccup in sight, it can safely be said that the first vintage and crafts fayre was a resounding success.
As for me, well I didn't make millions and to be honest I still can't work out why some items sell and others don't (not that there seems to be a common trend across all the fayres) but it went well and I enjoyed myself. Oh! and most exciting of all, this time round I had business cards which my darling brother designed for me (front and back):
So anyway, here's to Blakesley's next fayre and three cheers to all the staff for their hard work, especially to Kim whose brainchild the day was. Bring on the next one!
Until next time, happy crafting! x
P.S Many of these images weren't taken by me and remain the soul property of Samina, my friend and colleague who kindly gave me permission to use them, thanks hun!
