Tweseldown Artisan Market - Yippee!

Tweseldown Racecourse, 7am Saturday 26th May 2012.

A clear blue sky and the promise of an exciting day ahead!

In racecourse terms, I guess you'd describe it as 'bijou', making it such a sweet venue for what was taking place - the first ever Tweseldown Artisan Market.

Here's the press release...

'Nestled between Fleet and Farnham , amongst the charming countryside and quaint red brick Victorian buildings of Tweseldown Racecourse, you will discover an exciting new Artisan and Vintage Market, created to support independent designer makers, artisan food producers and vintage and antique sellers. You will find vintage and retro treasures, expertly sourced by quality dealers such as Pret-A-Vintage with their beautiful garments and accessories; a wide range of local designer made products, from Used-To- Bees and The Vintage Studio’s lovingly handmade items to Bare Innocence’s organic beauty products and a wonderful selection of locally grown or produced artisan food and specialist plants.'

(Golly! Got a mention there!  Thanks Sally!)

The place was already looking lively when we arrived.

 All the rooms round the square were buzzing with a great variety of sellers setting up their stalls...

The verandahs were packed with vintage goodies, plants and curios...

 And the marquee was a hive of industry...

Outside food, coffee and ice-creams sellers were making mouths water...

 And  the owners of this beautiful bowtop caravan were setting out their wares...

 (That deckchair and the dog-cart had me drooling!)

Mr U-t-B, with me briefly for unpacking and setting up, had a guided tour before events kicked off, and came back very impressed!  Built on a caravan chassis for easy towing, the caravan is an interior designer's dream, with every comfort thought of...

I have always thought that if I won the lottery I'd be buying myself a shepherd's hut, but now I'd be torn! One of each perhaps?

The room I was in was light and airy, and I had a great spot in the corner, with a bar to prop things on.

One of my 'neighbours' from The Maltings was down at the end of the room...

And there was a gorgeous selection of antiques, Greengate items, jewellery, handmade pottery and vintage haberdashery close-by.

This was me by the time I'd set up...

I had a great day, talking to interesting people and even selling a few bits!  I got invited to have some of my 'pieces' in a new gallery that is being set up, and to a summer fete which I think might be interesting.

Next month's Artisan Market (Saturday 30th June) will have even more stalls (including a Pimms bar!) and I am already looking forward to it. (Not just for the Pimms!)

Well done to the fantastic organisers, who had the idea and the vision to create this event (and even invited me!) I hope, and believe, it will be a great success!