Monthly Archives: October 2011

Magpie moments 2: Tea cosies

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I am a big fan of all things tea, and many of my veritable collections relate to tea. So my next magpie moment post is about the ever-expanding collection of tea cosies. With vintage revival in full swing, these linen embroidered types are re-emerging all over the place.

The one on the right was the inspiration that begun the collection, a tea cosy belonging to the original salvager, our lovely mama. These ones are actually a bit too small to be of any actual use…Moving on to some more modern examples, the pink was a recent christmas present, and i made the coffee cosy for my husband last year (now obsolete as he has now transitioned to a Nespresso man from a cafetiere kinda guy).

The floral & tweed one was a gift from a fellow sewing guru. I loved the embroidery scene on the other one – the most recent addition to the collection via the usual route (charity shop).
Some other embroidered examples from the large cosy end of the spectrum.

This little beauty came from an antique shop in New Zealand; we were in need of some warmer conditions for out little teapot in the camper van (not to mention our little selves but that’s another matter). I was delighted to come back and find that it fitted snugly onto my favourite but completely impractical enamel tea pot (3rd degree finger burns after each contact).

And here they all are, nice and cosy together and basking in display glory…

Antiquing in the rain – Drummond Reid Antiques

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This weekend I took a delightful little tour around some spots I’ve recently found or heard about with my friend Cassie of Olive Owl Art. If it’s a rainy Saturday afternoon- antiquing-snoop around in NI you’re after, this is your guide!

First up, a real treat, recently popped up in Belfast City centre – Drummond Reid, just off of the Ormeau Road on Sunnyside St. They have moved in from Saintfield in the last number of months, and I’m glad they did! You’ll find a really broad range of items from classic to shabby chic to funky retro if  one may describe ‘antiques’ as such! They have caught the vision for the current rage on mid century furnishings and have some fab examples..

in and old Church hall.. on Sunnyside St

'G plan' nest of tables

Mid Century Sideboard.. a beaut!

In love with these SOLD chairs 🙁

Re-upholstering.. fabulous!

Pair Tulip tables - so 50's!

This is for you sis.. Cornish Blue Collector

The owner hard at work, and delighted to tell you anything you need to know!

The owner was full of facts about his stock, and happy to share them. Nice to meet you!

Moooom, not more!

Next we popped in to ‘Smithfield Market’ out the back of Castlecourt. I wouldn’t plan a trip downtown just for this, but if you are in the area, nip in and take it in, it’s a bizarre few aisles of shops/units. The antique shop is possibly too much for even Mary Queen of Shops to organise, but is worth a dig. However, everything I wanted the owner seemed to want too, and there isn’t much room to browse, think this one is for collectors who really know what they’re after!

We picked up a flyer that day for a Collectibles and antique fair on the Lisburn road, which it appears is on every second Saturday here. So we mooched on over. It was a few tables in a hall affair, and well worth the look. Its amazing how many collectors/dealers there are out there, and in this kind of setting the prices are still reasonable.

I got this great, and very official ‘Miller’s’ guide for £2 so I can at least own pictures of 50’s items, if I cant fit them in my home!

Millers Guide to 1950s

 

Here’s a good link to a  guide to some other places if you’ve still got the energy!

And I’m excited to find MKVintageUSA who I mentioned in my last post will be at this fair in Newtownards this weekend.. maybe see you there!

Someone who knows*, tells me Ballinderry Antiques is worth a look too, want to come?

*This person shall remain nameless as he’s meant to be on Ivan’s side!

 

 

Get skirty

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I’ve mentioned one of my blog crushes, Miss James at Bleubird vintage before. She does a thread called Mama style which is worth checking out for those uninspired dressing days! I find if I keep an inspiring pic in my head, it spurs me on to make an effort in the morning! Check her out for lots of vintage life and fashion inspiration and bouts of downright jealousy!

It’s been a while since we show cased some Salvage sister fashion finds, so here’s a collection of skirts for you. Had my Salvage sister over in the summer so didn’t even have to fall out with the husband to get some of these shots!

The skirt, so up-or-down beat, whatever you want it to be depending on what goes above and below it.

First up, Im in love with navy at the moment, and grey, and navy and grey..

Navy Pencil skirt Cancer Research shop Belmont road

High waisted Navy Pencil Thrifted in Dublin

That reminds me, have been meaning to tell you about my shopping trip in Dublin months ago.. will do. Heres another  Dublin find and a shot in our trendy hotel!

Denim pencil thrifted in Dublin

Sisters choice.. mustard and tourquise.. love.

Mustard skirt - Urban outfitters

And finally a reworked number I got from the fabulous Fashion Souk, catch them at Belfast fashion week next week!

Oh and the bracelet is from MK Vintageusa at St Georges market, and the necklace watch from Liberty Blue on Lombard Street.

Pleated skirt

Pleated skirt

Carvela wedges from Deja Vu

There are some great designer second hand shops in Ni, including Deja Vu on the Lisburn road, read more here, and theres also Rich Rags on Bloomfield avenue who fabulously supported our Charity Swap and Fashion show last Dec.

And just to remind you that we did have a summer here’s where the skirt went that day

Stormont Park Walkies

Go fetch!

 

 

Magpie Moments 1: Brooke Bond Teacards

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It has been noted by many that i am an avid collector of an assortment of things. This is the first in a little series celebrating what i am now calling my ‘magpie moments’.

I picked up a bundle of these little cards a few years ago at a car boot sale, intrigued by the eclectic range of delicately painted animals. I’m not sure if i could call myself a collector, but i have since gathered up a few other ranges, my favourite being ‘Wild Birds in Britain’, printed in 1965 as part of a 50-card set. The british wildlife painter Charles Tunnicliffe did most of the bird sets. I’m currently on the hunt for some of the very pretty Wildflower sets.

Although i didn’t realise it at the time, the cards were distributed in Brooke Bond tea packs, later known as the familiar PG Tips. Similar to cigarette cards, although with a much shorter history, they became very collectable particularly in the 50’s and 60’s, with the last cards being issued as late as 1999.

1. Robin 2. Nuthatch 3. Redshank

I recently decided they were too good to hide away in a box, and thus started my latest greeting card range, the most labour-free design i have come up with yet. Apply a few sticky foam pads to the beautiful birdies, mount with some dark background card and hey presto! Here are a few of my ornithologic highlights…