Nothing like being prepared

Way back in September I remember thinking to myself that I must make a start on my Christmas stock (I have a small unit in a Craft Centre in Marlborough). Now that it's almost midway through November I have finally got around to it! I managed to put together quite a reasonable selection this week.

Friday afternoon I took myself off to Marlborough and was pleasantly surprised to find my shelves rather depleted. After a re-stock they looked a bit better.

I'm not entirely happy with the way my shelves look, not "shabby" enough but there are limits on what I can do regarding display. I can change the backdrop on my section, it's rather dark, but I can't do anything with the wooden shelves.
That price tag at the top of the picture sadly is not one of mine!

The craft centre is in a redundant Church which is really pretty to visit in itself, it also has a coffee shop.


Afterwards I had time for some thrifting. There are only three charity shops in Marlborough, so it doesn't take too long. The first two are local hospices and quite sanitised. My favourite is the Thrifty Orange where they are not so fussy about what they put out.
But Oh No - what's this?


Oh well, one last chance for a visit. I had a rather embarrasing experience though, as at the entrance I spied a small old wooden handled spade propped againt the window. No price so I picked it up and went inside to enquire.
"Oh - that's not for sale, it's that man's for his dogs"
I had picked up someone's pooper-scooper - did I feel just a little bit silly? Not deterred I went in for a rummage. There were quite a few people inside, sitting around a table laid out with crisps and cakes having a party. I heard the shop lady say to the man -
"Oh, someone just tried to buy your shovel - ha ha!"
My rummage only yielded a book and a fabric remnant, so I went to pay.
At the back of the till I spied an old photograph album and some loose photos, from around the 20s I would have guessed. I asked if they were for sale and the lady started to tell me that they had come in with some donations and she thought they had been left there by accident. She started to hand them to me when another woman came up and asked to have a look. They seemed to know each other and before I knew it she said
"Oh I'll buy them"
"Well, I would have bought them" I said. She didn't even look at me, just said
"Oh Sorry"
in a very off-hand way, and the deal was done. I wish I'd stood up for myself, but it felt a bit clique-ey in there and I don't like to make a fuss, so I paid for my purchases and left.
But I won't be going back there again - ha ha!

I had a bit of time left to check out the Antiques Centre which is in a disused chapel. It's more antique than flea-market but sometimes I can find a bargain there.


There's also a lovely "shabby chic" shop called the Cat's Whisker's which has lots of vintage and vintage-style goodies. Need quite a big wallet here, but there is a really good selection of vintage quilts and eiderdowns.


There are lots of pretty gift/home shops in the town, and a Laura Ashley Home. It's worth a visit if you are in the area. Here's what I came home with.
A french print of some delightful Crinoline ladies, the Oxford Book of Birds, some cutlery and knife rests, a tiny Victorian teacup and saucer, some china roses and a fabric remnant.


I love the print - it is exquisitely detailed.


The book is full of beautiful colour plates (I might put this in Mr. Bloom's christmas stocking, he kind of likes birds).


Well I'd better get off now and do what I'm supposed to be doing. Have a good week!