Thursday 31 March 2011

STERLING GIFTS

Norma Jean Vintage has a whole load of new vintage goodies in store for us this Sunday at the Totally Bazaar Vintage & Handmade Fair. I'm in love with this 1960s Marcel Fenez dress.


Norma will also be selling her handmade sterling silver crosses, bangles incorporating vintage beads, and Love Serpent rings.




These jewellery pieces are handmade by silversmith Norma Smallwood, the woman behind Norma Jean Vintage and her contemporary designs complement her vintage collection perfectly. Something to suit all tastes, and all budgets.

WE HEART GERTIE!

Since Timmy White of Gertrude Anna made his public selling debut at our Retro Rooms Show on 6th March tales of his talents have skyrocketed across Northern Ireland's style scene and he, and his creations, have been in huge demand for photoshoots, interviews and other ventures. We're sort of proud that we got him first, not least because Timmy will soon be moving to Edinburgh (oh no we hear you cry!) But before he does, we have another big dollop of his coolness at this Sunday's Totally Bazaar Vintage & Handmade Fair.


If you have ever dined at Belfast's Hooligan Tea-eaterie then you will already be familiar with Timmy's work because he was the hand behind its fabulously eclectic interior design and you can expect similar from his wares this Sunday. Clothing, fashion accessories and homewares all made using recycled and funky textiles. Think Star Wars cushions, bags with funky ties as shoulder straps, laptop cosies, funked up photo frames, lampshades and teacup pincushions.








You can visit Gertrude Anna on Facebook and watch out for the new website coming soon!

LIFE LESS ORDINARY

And now for something completely different! Fellow Ballyholme-ite Marianne Kennerley, founder of Second Life, will be launching her first collection of re-purposed garments at this Sunday's Totally Bazaar Vintage & Handmade Fair.

In Marianne's words she 'explores how garments can be pulled and stretched beyond their first expected life and, inspired by quality and craftmanship, produces clothing that is reclaimed and influenced by the existing garment'.

Her first collections focuses on upcyling / re-purposing mens shirts into ladies tops and skirts, and using all of the shirt pieces also funky chokers and scarves. A smaller range of necklaces called 'Every Little Helps' are crocheted from plastic bag wool!










Find Second Life on Facebook and you can follow Marianne's exploits in re-purposing garments on her Second Life blog.


Tuesday 29 March 2011

BEADYLICIOUS GIFTS

Another cause for Mother's Day celebration at Totally Bazaar this Sunday - Beadylicious are giving free gifts to customers who spend over £10! Now you can treat Mum and yourself!

Here are some of Roisin's new designs for this Sunday. We adore the girly cameo pieces!








BUSKERS' DEN STRIKES BACK

After the success of its first appearance at the Retro Rooms Show earlier this month, Buskers' Den is back at by popular demand and will be taking centre stage at the Totally Bazaar Vintage & Handmade Fair this Sunday.

Host Della Storm will be in charge of the proceedings again  and she has added a few more retro 60’s and 70’s songs to her repertoire which she loves singing and hopes we will all enjoy hearing!


Co-host Mike Donaghy is busy writing a film score, teaching at his music school YMS Ireland and gigging all over the place, but we've managed to pin him down for a few songs this Sunday!


We are delighted to have multi-talented musician, singer, and songwriter Katie Richardson performing for us. Katie is a rising star who has dueted on stage with Duke Special and was recently guest singer with Inishowen Gospel Choir. She's in demand and we're honoured to have her join us at Totally Bazaar.


Another new performer for Buskers' Den is singer and actress Kerri Quinn. Her most recent role was in the BBC drama Betrayal of Trust and she’s now preparing to tour with the musical Dancing Shoes - The George Best Story - in Ireland and the UK, but before she goes we’ve managed to grab her for a performance this Sunday.


Katie and Kerri will be performing in Buskers' Den from 12pm this Sunday so be sure to arrive early to catch this performance from these two very talented gals. You won't want to miss this!

Robyn Farah delighted us at the Retro Rooms show with her unique style of singing, and her version of Can't Get No Satisfaction was a real crowd pleaser! We can't wait to hear what she's going to do next!


Having sung with local bands including the Adventurers, Alison McGuinness has recently formed her own band called ‘Alison’s Hotel’ and they recently performed their debut gig at Auntie Annies in Belfast. She’s currently working on a 1920’s/30’s blues style album with slide guitar player Dermot Rooney and we’re really looking forward to hearing some samples of this music from Alison this Sunday.


Charismatic musician Paul Olphert has supported famous groups such as Snow Patrol & Razorlight, and has performed at the Queens Festival, the V festival and Glastonbury Festival, and we are looking forward to him returning to Buskers' Den to wow us with his guitar playing.


When Geoff Hatt sang in the Retro Rooms with his ukulele he created quite a stir, not to mention a lot of smiling faces! As Geoff is such a versatile musician we’re not quite sure what to expect this time but whatever it is we’re really looking forward to it as we know it will be unique and stylish.


Tracy Dempsey is a class act who brings a touch of understated glamour to the Den. She promised last time to soothe weary hearts and still fevered minds, which is exactly what she did with her eclectic mix of songs and sultry vocals. Tracy will be back this Sunday 3rd April and we can’t wait to hear her sing away all our cares again.


Singer and songwriter Amanda Agnew recently had a No.2 hit in the NI Charts with her song ‘Haven’t Met You’ and she will be singing a brand new song for us in Buskers' Den. Amanda will be accompanied this Sunday by her brother Andy on the Mandolin and we can’t wait.


Totally Bazaar takes place at the Holiday Inn, Ormeau Avenue, Belfast from 11am to 4.30pm on Sunday 3rd April and admission costs £3.





SNEAKY PEAK

Kellie from It's The Little Things has given us a sneaky peak at all her new creations which will be available for the first time at Totally Bazaar this Sunday and we love what we have seen. Here are a few favourites:












You can follow Kellie's adventures in handmade & refashioned jewellery, accessories, homewares & stationery on facebook, her website, folksy shop, and her blog, but to see before you buy come on down to Totally Bazaar at the Holiday Inn, Ormeau Avenue, Belfast this Sunday from 11am to 4.30pm.


GIFT WRAPPED

More ideas today for unique Mother's Day gifts at Totally Bazaar this Sunday come from Catriona McCambridge at Orio. Catriona's current collection 'Findings of a Magpie' is based on the use of materials recycled from previously loved clothing, buttons and brooches so each piece is totally unique.

The Orio creations also come in pretty handmade packaging which makes them the perfect gift purchase. Here are a few of my favourites.