The Open House is now... open!

The Open House has begun now and pictures are selling, phew! (The lavender bags aren't mine.)

http://www.48dr.co.uk

The nail biting bit

I've done as many fabric collages as I reasonably can before the Christmas Open House starts this weekend. They're mounted, wrapped, some are framed, price labels made and they are now sitting waiting to go.

This is the nail-biting bit. Are the prices pitched just right? (Too expensive puts people off but too cheap devalues the product...) Will customers like them? Are there enough - or too many? Too late to do anything about it now. Wish me luck and many sales!

The Dragonfly House is 48 Ditchling Rise, Brighton, and is open this weekend (last in November) and next (first in December) 11am–6pm.

www.48dr.co.uk

One in, one out

One in, one out is a really great idea - every time you consider buying something ask yourself what you would be willing to get rid of (sell/donate/recycle) in its place.

It is a way to ensure that you don't accumulate any more piles of stuff (occupational hazard for collectors) and that you only buy what you REALLY want. However, it is very difficult rule to stick to. Finds come along randomly, unseasonally and often in batches.

Right now I'm trying to sell, not buy - so of course the gods of charity shopping are planting wonderful things everywhere I go right now. I also know that if I resist too staunchly I will regret leaving these things behind! (I just know that I will kick myself for not snapping up those green shoes at the Art Junky today...) "The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak" and all that.

With that in mind, some great recent finds:

• 1970s Hush Puppies beige suede boots with a zip and tab fastening at the back, Mind shop, St James's Street, Kemp Town
• Orange tweed empire line dress, Brian and Nikki's shop, Lewes
• Purple and gold ruffle-fronted shoes, Phoenix Gallery Arty Junky, Brighton
• Black silk Jaeger dress, Oxfam, Western Road, Brighton
• 1950s feather headdress, Snooper's Paradise, Brighton

Looks like I have a LOT of one-in-one-out sorting to do!

Aaaaghhh! Buttons!

I feel as if I have sewn on enough buttons to last me the rest of my life. Whose idea was this anyway...?

As if by magic, the shopkeeper appeared

Walking along the street today I saw a woman with a clothes rail. Standing there in the middle of a busy pavement with all the people passing by.

There was a psychedelic A-line shift on the rail, the woman told me she was selling the dress on behalf of her friend in Germany and that the friend had made it for herself. I bought the dress and when I came back along the street she was gone. No sign that she had ever been there.

Great dress though, but not home made at all.

Frock and jacket

Ah, The Frock and Jacket - anyone remember the coolest bar in Brighton before it became a branch of Cafe Rouge? Those were the days! I worked double shifts at Food For Friends to pay the fees for my masters degree, kept a tiny sketchbook hidden in the folds of my work apron and tottered around on cork-soled platforms looking like a drag queen with my big, big hair....

So, to bring us back to 2010, here's a frock and here's a jacket. Oh, hang - on this only brings us to about 1963. I think my time machine is broken - I'm still going backwards.

Enough for one day

I don't know whether pasting in these links will work, but let's give it a go. As usual, jewellery was my big seller at Frock Me! so I have spent all evening listing on eBay clothes I didn't sell today. Twenty minutes of free listing time left and I've had enough! Actually feel like looking at something made after 1963 for a change (don't worry I'm sure normal service will have resumed by tomorrow). Ladies' vintage frock coat opera black double-breasted

Ladies' vintage jade teal suede coat Mod scooter 1960s

Vintage green cardigan or jacket Mod scooter 60s 1960s

Vintage grey flannel batwing dress with zips 1980s 80s

Vintage 1920s 1930s handbag purse silk

Vintage 1950s 50s clip-on earrings

Vintage burgundy wool waistcoat Mod scooter 60s 1960s

Vintage Lacoste dress pink Mod scooter 60s 70s

Vintage black patent bag Mod scooter 1960s 60s

Brown leather Kickers boots worn once unisex size 5 38

Vintage 1950s 50s black leather frame handbag purse

Vintage deep red suede A-line skirt cut outs 1970s 70s

Vintage 1950s 50s brown leather handbag purse

Vintage 1960s 60s bronze beaded evening handbag purse

Vintage 1970s 70s woven lattice handbag purse

Vintage 1950s 50s diamante brilliants belt/bag buckle

Vintage white silver buckles bag Mod scooter 1960s 60s

New jewellery

New pieces of jewellery made from vintage buttons and buckles. I will be selling these on my stall at Frock Me! on Sunday (24th October).

Visit me at Frock Me! this Sunday in Brighton

I will have a stall at Frock Me! this Sunday (24th October) at the Corn Exchange in Brighton. Opening hours 11am-5pm.


I'll be selling vintage clothing, bags, jewellery and a new range of hand-made brooches.

http://www.frockmevintagefashion.com/index.htm

New blog

http://betteroverdonethanunderdone.blogspot.com/

Tea and Cake

Finding fame with some of my vintage frocks on Taylormade blog

http://taylormadeartistblog.blogspot.com/2010/09/carole-seatory.html

More fabric pictures