JUST LIKE GRANNY MADE!

And now for something a little bit different. Coming to February's Frock Around The Clock is 'Shop Around The Corner,' presenting a mouth watering selection of courses and workshops to get your teeth into this year. Learn something new in 2010. Whether cupcakes or crafts are your thing, you are promised a fun night out in the Retro Tearoom in East Belfast, where they have introduced an amazing selection of evening workshops to whet your appetite.

With names like Magic Marmalade, Retro Applique, Just like Granny Used To Make, Fabulous Fairy Cakes or Grow Your Own Cards, these are bound to prove popular. Particularly when people find out that the marmalade flavours include Gin & Tonic, and Vodka & Lime! There will also be special discount on all courses booked at the Vintage Fair.

Led Astray

We have more fabulous sellers lined up for February's Frock Around The Clock. First, we welcome the return of Little Hooligan who will be selling vintage-inspired hand knits for babies and vintage clothing for their mothers. The gorgeous hand knits are created using vintage patterns and are finished with vintage buttons and trims. Perfect for the fashion-forward retro baby (well, why should Mum have all the style fun?)!

First time FATC exhibitor Stray Jewellery will be selling vintage costume jewels and hand made jewellery pieces, created using vintage bits and bobs. I think that I might get led astray by some of these pieces as they heavily feature owls. I have my eye on a huge and colourful owl brooch to add to my beloved collection.

We are also joined for the first time by sisters Cerian and Jemima from the North West of Ireland, who run Little Blue Cottage Industries selling vintage clothing and also reworked vintage pieces. Visit their website and eBay shop for a preview.

Clare from Little Hooligan at FATC September 2009

Turning Japanese

Yesterday I made my first trip through the hazardous winter wonderland of the Ards Peninsula to The White Elephant Emporium (TWEE), owned by FATC exhibitor Rowan McConnell. I was rewarded for my bravery as this emporium of eclectica presented me with a new addition to my ever-increasing family of similarly eclectic home furnishings. A jewel in the crown of the Hoops antique courtyard in Greyabbey, TWEE includes both a room of antiques and a room of delightfully quirky vintage treasures. Gent's vintage shirts, little girl's dresses from the '60s/'70s, vintage toys and sports items, books, dressing table sets, glasses, china, hats, bags and jewellery all vied for my attention, but it was a large Japanese lacquer and mother of pearl decorative wall panel that made its way home with me. Now it is hanging beside my fireplace I am even more in love with it as it doesn't look at all out of place beside a Victorian shelf holding 2 pink china cats (who lost their whiskers long before I was born), my 1930s lady lamp, a Mallorcan wall hanging and one of my umpteen owls. But, then again I have been told that I am mad!

The Japanese wall panel that can be seen in the bottom right of the picture left now adorns my living room wall as can be seen in the picture below.

Absolutely Fabulous

We are looking forward to welcoming first-time exhibitors, Fabulous Vintage, to Frock Around The Clock on 7th February. I think that the Belfast ladies are going to have to form an orderly queue to try on their fabulous wares. Specialising in vintage clothing and accessories, including designer, from the 1920s to 1980s, their website is host to an amazing wardrobe of vintage frocks. And, owner Carol Freebairn assures me that is just the tip of the iceberg. I have my eye on the chenille '60s frock below, so I will be at the head of that queue!

Visit the Fabulous Vintage website (check out the Chinese silk hand embroidered piano shawls)!

Design Overdose

I am pleased to announce that Kirkmodern will be returning to take part in February's Frock Around The Clock; the last time that they exhibited being May 2009. This Dublin-based purveyor of vintage goods, specialises in mid 20th century decorative items and design, including pottery and ceramics, glassware, lighting, retro furniture and collectables. Focusing on Scandinavian and post-war British pieces, their shop is a showcase of clean and classic design. We can hardly wait to see what vintage treasures they will be bringing for the Belfast vintage fair-goers.

Visit the Kirkmodern website for a tantalising taster!

Happy New Year

We are busy getting ready for our next Vintage Fair, which is only 5 weeks away on Sunday 7th February at Belfast's Holiday Inn. Just in time to treat yourself to a fabulous outfit for your Valentines Day date, or to buy your loved one a unique gift. Alternatively, show yourself some love with lots of vintage treats. Yes, I know that Christmas has just passed, but January is a long, bleak month and you have got to have some vintage retail therapy to look forward to. A shopping spree at Frock Around The Clock is just what the doctor ordered to keep away the winter blues!

Watch out for details coming over the next couple of weeks about what to expect at our February event. In the meantime, here are some style spotter pics taken at our Christmas Vintage Fair. Thank you to all who came along and made the day go with such a buzz, and Happy New Year to everyone.