Monday 14 October 2013

PLAYING SHOPS


Is it just me, or do most girls (and some boys) love playing shops, however old they are? There are many ways of doing this these days.

 Under canvas on Britain's showgrounds.

Under a Victorian glass roof on Tynemouth railway station.

From a picturesque lock-up in Rye...

...to uber-cool Hendy's of Hastings.

Draughty lofts...

...and smelly cattle sheds - we've tried many selling venues. 

Some of these places come with unexpected dangers. Last week at the International Antiques Fair at Newark I returned to our stand to find that Mr N had bolted, leaving a very grumpy looking cameraman with nothing to do...


If, like Mr N, you like to keep a low profile, the internet is great way of selling. My friend Lynn has created a lovely online shop at Once Upon A Time Bears, taking great care keep her teddy bears happy, in familiar surroundings, until they are adopted by new owners.


Some sellers I know promote their wares and fairs on their blogs:
And others are cleverly making and selling on Etsy,
here's Jayne with her beautiful textiles:

I've just taken the plunge and opened a Ruby Lane shop here


Will it be a success? Who knows, but it will be fun to play.

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23 comments:

  1. Good luck with your new shop Nilly.

    Jean xx

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    1. We keep trying! No pensions, you see, if you are a bit "alternative"!

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  2. Good luck with the shop!

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    1. We've sold a few things, so here's hoping!

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  3. We all do love shopping I'm sure, I love to look and see what I can find. Good luck with your new shop, I have just had a look it's lovely. Thanks so much for mentioning my shop on Etsy, got quite a surprise when I read my name! Have you been to Tynemouth recently? Hope you let me know if you are coming! thanks again, Jayne x

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    1. Thanks Jayne! We are up sometimes during the winter months - I wonder if it is still worth the long trip.

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    2. I would incorporate it with other things, it is a long way just for that. x

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  4. Some great images here, from your , what must be a pretty huge collection. Good luck with the new shop. J.

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    1. Thanks Janis. I haven't any good photos of Mytholmroyd in my collection - yet!

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  5. Good luck with this venture, Nilly. Barbara

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    1. Thanks Barbara - I just hope trotting round antiques fairs is as good for me as all your wonderful walks obviously are for you!

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  6. Dear nilly by your cheery posts and witty comments, you must only be a Lyle slip of a lass...And fun must be your middle name...
    Am wishing you the best-est times in your new venture...
    Hugs maria x

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    1. Hope it's as successful as Bumble Bee at the Hive!

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  7. Well done you, Nilly. I do think we 'do' shops a lot better than the Spanish seem to. I miss the quirky approach and the pleasure in setting up shop though tomorrow is our local 'craft market' in the garage of the English shop...I'll be there! Good luck with your new venture. Axxx

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    1. And there was I thinking it was just TK Maxx that you missed!

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  8. Lovely!!!............So far I want to don a Victorian velvet smoking cap and knit with needles that have hoof shaped guards..........I predict a success of a shop!!

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  9. Hope your shop is a great success Nilly. Gosh are you going to be on Bargain Hunt? - if so, do tell us when.

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    1. Ha Ha - no, I'm afraid we were too shy to join in the fun!

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  10. Gosh, that made me sit up when I saw my name! Your shop looks fantastic and will do well I'm sure. Such beautiful treasures.

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    1. Thank you - hope you are doing well at your lovely fairs!

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  11. All fabulous looking shops! Let us know when you are going to be on Bargain Hunt! Thanks for leaving a comment - we had a great time in Dover - we just didn't get enough time. I wondered which was Ms Margoyes house and now I know! You do get up to some interesting stuff. xxxx

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    1. We are much too shy to appear on Bargain Hunt, I'm afraid!
      I hear tell that Julian Clary now has a place in St Margarets Bay - possibly Noel Coward's old house. If you can, do try to visit Deal and Broadstairs just up the coast - almost as good as Whitstable!

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