exhausted ... or how I spent my weekend
Sun, 15 Jul 2012 4 Comments 
Several months back I told my friend Grant of The Vintage Advantage that any time he needed my help at a market he could count on me. Saturday was the day. A huge vintage fair Love Vintage was in town. Friday night was covered as was Sunday but could I be his side kick on the Saturday? Lots of vintage fashion, some bric a brac and midcentury furniture. Apparently there were fashion parades, dancing and burlesque but I don't know. The moment the doors opened at 10am thousands of people poured in and an 8 hour vintage retail hell whirlwind began. It never stopped even as I was stuffing a ham topped salada biscuit in my mouth sometime around lunch time, vintage hat being stuffed in a bag, money changing hands and a muffled ham flavoured "thank you" falling out of my lips along with crumbs. I managed to snap a couple of pics before the doors opened. Then I fooled myself into thinking that I would snap the many cool customers that stopped by the stall. LOL. Yep! Right! The ravening hoards descended and whipped us out. The guys from The Vintage Advantage are known for their very, very reasonable prices. We got hammered. Here's a few shots from before hell's gates opened.
Zhushing and restocking after a busy Friday opening night. I think I folded those gloves dozens of times and I swear I never want to see another pair of cats eyes glasses again.
The big Sydney dealers were there. The stock was AMAZING but quite expensive.
There was midcentury fabulousness, vintage bric a brac and hot rods.
A rainbow of tulle skirts floated on racks and I even spotted some squaredance knickers.
The highlight were the ladies of The Lindy Charm School. Seriously hardcore and very, very glamorous.
I managed two snaps of our early customers before the camera was thrown under the table and I don't remember too much more until the end of the day.
A blur of a trip back to Ipswich, two glasses of red wine, reheated leftover pizza, fell into bed so early it is embarrassing. Today hasn't been much better. After walking w to the shops to get this week's groceries I collapsed back into bed. I am exhausted. I used to do retail for a living but it was never like this. It's bloody hard work now. I think I'll have another early night tonight ;) If I have recovered enough tomorrow I'll show you what I bought.
Reader Comments (4)
Oh Jo, you brought the memories flooding back to me. I so admire people who do fairs on a regular basis. Yes they are lots of fun but so so much hard work. Well done to you and the boys. I heard from other vendors it was a great weekend and people were spending so thats always good. Feel like I have not seen you for ages. Oh are you on instagram? If so you can find me at Katherinetheoldboathouse. Anita will be so disappointed she missed you. xx Katherine
I think it should be well done to the boys. They did the bump in and out. I was just Grant's slave for Saturday. OMG my feet still hurt and my back is definitely fecked. I'm totally out of condition.
I'm not on instagram. It's funny. I always reach for my camera before my phone. I think I am the only person in the world who uses her iphone as just a phone.
We will have to organise a day together up in the 'swich again. Start checking your diary :)
You would've been exhausted after a whole day of it. Definitely happy I went on the Friday night. It was great people watching but do you think I could find anything decent to wear that would fit me and didn't cost $300??? No luck. I did manage to get a Lotte figgjo flint jug as a present for a friend's birthday.
Checking my diary and it's looking empty!
xx
OOOOOh, I remember when we ALL wore pretty dresses and the moms wore hats, too! ~Sparky