Showing posts with label vintage. Show all posts
Showing posts with label vintage. Show all posts

Sunday, 26 June 2016

Out and about.......

Poppies and corn flowers I spotted on today's journey.

Traveled around 70 miles this weekend looking for new items for my shop, yesterday's pickings being better than today's.  Today's events were truly terrible and I wouldn't have wanted most items offered for sale even if someone had tried to give them to me for free - it really was that terrible!  That's just the way it goes in this way of life though.   


Funnily enough I met an interesting chap while perusing a stall at yesterday's flea market who was overjoyed at the sight of a horrendous piece of 'modern art' (I'm very open-minded with art, so believe me when I confirm, it was terrible!); he stated it was truly one of the worst pieces he'd ever seen and was having a laugh with the French stall holder about it - I asked if  he really liked that sort of thing and he told me he'd given up trying to find any nice things for a reasonable price, so now collects the worst pieces of bad taste he can find for his collection. It's fun when I meet interesting new people. I suppose I really should have taken a photo of the art for my blog but I was to shy to been seen looking at it.

So, to close this post I'll reassure myself that today's journey was not a complete loss, as after all, the weather was perfect and I enjoyed the drive in my little VW Golf while singing along with some retro 80's music.

Thursday, 9 June 2016

A weekend's vintage haul..............

Well, the last two weekend's anyway............

Okay, so after a few weeks of clutching tightly onto my euros I let loose and the photos below represent a part of my last two weekend's buying for my Etsy shop. I would have shown you more but it's unbelievably hot outside, so carrying all these items into the garden and unpacking and re-packing wasn't too much fun! But mustn't complain, I'm so glad the sun has at last arrived.



When shopping my car always tends to be parked miles away which means dashing back and forth to unload, then getting back pretty damn quick so as not to miss anything I have my eyes on........In the photo above is a modest selection of what can be found if you head off in the early hours, and are prepared to travel to the various fairs and brocantes which are not always close by.  Remember that diesel car I mentioned? Well, I still need one.


I forgot to mention that more often than not the items are filthy having languished in attics, sheds, and God knows where, so as well as extensive travel there is nearly always a lot of work involved once an item has been purchased. That hanging lantern above for example - that was completely rusty so I  purchased some rather pricey paint and embarked (and was sorry once I'd started) on rubbing it down and giving it a repaint, then distressing it again for that authentic rustic appearance.  I still haven't finished the project........ 


Above, if you look carefully you'll see a little bronze candelabra - that's it! Next to the chrome desk lamp - well that was also once a desk lamp but the old wiring was too badly perished so I stripped it down and after some modifications it became become a candle holder, but with the option to still have it rewired.



Had to have those red enamel pans and also those ironstone bowls - beautiful!  On the far right of the photo is a boar casserole dish which I bought for one reason only - the cool wild boer's head on top! It was only afterwards I discovered it was an Apilco piece.


The lantern above is HUGE! It's also an original old one in good condition and took a big portion of my wallet's contents!  It needs a few little repairs so isn't quite ready for sale - if you're interested drop me message HERE.  Next to it you'll see some nice trench art brass shell casings and a few more smaller hanging lanterns - I bought a box of them which all need thoroughly cleaning. 

So there you have it, some nice treasures that are all available to purchase for your home. I always keep an extensive stock, so if there is ever an item you are looking for, please drop me an email - if I don't have it in stock, I'll more than likely be able to find it for you.





Thursday, 17 December 2015

Introduction

Well, I've finally decided to begin a blog, a diary of my vintage buying escapades here in south west France, and hopefully share the stunning scenery I see, the items I discover, and any other experiences that interest me along the way.

Beginning a 'job' such buying and selling vintage items, like any job, is fun, frustrating, and sometimes depressing, and more often than not provides experiences that embody nearly every aspect of one's life whether it be the physical hunt itself, or the clutter that surrounds any and every flat space of the home; it takes some getting used to, especially for this once minimalist-loving individual.  This being said, I'm grateful for the knowledge gained, the interesting people I meet, and the very cool items I manage get my paws on!

So, not wanting to bore myself or anyone else with my very first post, I give you my succinct introduction to my new blog, a journal if you will, of an expatriate living in France and trying to make ends meet with my micro-business called: La Bonne Vie 72