Avoca Beachside Markets

I had my first adventure as Paisley Vintage at the Avoca Beachside Markets on Sunday and I had such an amazing day!

I'll admit that I was completely scared to death. I imagined coming home with absolutely everything, having not sold even a small item. I'm still pinching myself; I sold all my furniture bar one piece!!! It seems completely incredible to me and people were so positive and encouraging. There were a couple of things that I could have sold two or three times over and now I know what to look for in my next pieces!

I did have one or two funny experiences; one lady was in raptures about this little side table, but exclaimed as loud as she possibly could 'I don't know who would ever think of painting it such an atrocious colour!!'.

Luckily it had sold first thing that morning, a fact that I quickly shared with her. Her expression was hilarious and she walked away at pace. To each their own... The other involved an attempt to eat a bacon and egg sandwich at 7am - the yolk burst on first bite and I was covered in it before the market had even started! It was even in my shoe!!

And what did I learn about having a market stall? There were loads of practical things like checking what the ground will be like - my stall was on dirt and bark so I had to use my transport materials to put down on the ground to protect the furniture (you can see what I mean in the photo below)! I've bought some shade cloth for next time. People were also not so interested in the smaller items I'd made like cushions, coasters etc, but without them the stall looked empty, so they'll come along next time too.

I also think I need to make more of my space - think about ways to hang things from my tent, and block out some of the background. I want it open enough that people are comfortable to come on in and browse, but I could have also blocked out the ugly brick wall and walkway behind me.

I'm now madly working on pieces for next market, and have a buying trip scheduled for next weekend ;)

A big thank you goes to those people who offered support and advice before the market, and who came along on the day. And I couldn't have managed without my family; Bronwyn who came with me on the day and stopped me from chickening out, and Danny who looked after Emma and Harry so I could go. THANK YOU!!

Coffee Table to Upholstered Ottoman

There is an auction house near where I live that I visit a little too frequently. Even when I say I won't go this weekend I somehow find my way there and get myself into a whole lot of furniture trouble. A few weeks ago there was a coffee table with funky legs going for $5. How could I resist? And a little while later, that $5 coffee table became this...

I knew right away it would make a great ottoman. Apart from those funky legs it was solid and sturdy - exactly what I was looking for. I should mention that another DIY'er had attached a homemade chess board on top (each to their own ;) which was easily removed to make this seriously funky piece of furniture!

I had an initial vision in my mind but I'll be honest - it wasn't working. I'd planned on something striped, but as I draped the fabric over my foam / wading top I knew it wouldn't work. Thank goodness I'd picked up this crazy print at Ikea. I know it's some kind of artistic take on a floral, but I see a peacock in there... what about you?

So with bright blue legs and a crazy black and white pattern, this is absolutely a statement piece for someone's lounge room / living room. But I think it would also work as a window seat or dressing seat (if one were to be lucky enough to have a dressing room!). Or how about extra seating in a play room?

Another project off the to do list, and something I'm taking along to Avoca Markets!

Thanks for stopping by...






I'm sharing at
Tip Junkie
Sugar Bee Crafts
Primitive & Proper
Live Laugh Rowe 
Miss Mustard Seed
Redoux
Simple Home Life

Two Tone Drawers (Again!)

Ok, so I like two tone! After the two tone coffee table and two tone drop leaf table I've decided I really like the style and I'm just going with it!

I found this chest of drawers on an expedition with my sister. The drawers caught my eye - but I also love that they are so solid and would work as a bedside table / nightstand as well as a set of drawers or even an end table (how great would the storage be in the lounge room / living room, for all those remotes, cords and general bits and pieces?)

There was not alot wrong with this piece of furniture to start with - I just couldn't imagine such a dark piece working in many homes.

But with a bright white frame I think it changes it's personality completely. I also gave the drawer fronts another coat of stain and varnish, to give them a bit of shine. This guy is heading with me to Avoca Beachside Markets.

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I'm sharing at...
Under the Table and Dreaming
Sugar Bee Crafts
Not Just a Housewife
Primitive & Proper 
Domestically Speaking
Primp
Live Laugh Rowe 
aka Design 
Redoux 
Simple Home Life
Miss Mustard Seed

My first market stall booked for September & Your advice needed!

I've had some great news this week - I've been accepted as a stall holder at the Avoca Beachside Markets!

This is the biggest and best local handmade market on the Central Coast where I live. They have a great selection of products; everything from jewellery to gourmet sausages! I had to put a little application together (my first time, I had no idea what I was doing!) and a selection of photos, and hooray I'm in!

These guys will be coming with me, plus a bunch of other projects I'm working my way through. My garage looks like a war zone! My stall name is Paisley Vintage, combining two things I love, and a little nod to this here little blog that started the ball rolling.

My to do list is a mile long! I'm SO excited, but I'm also nervous about making it a success. So I'd love your advice...

What makes a great stall? What advice would you give to a newbie like me?

Look forward to hearing from you!